CARBONDALE, Illinois — It wasn't a good experience by any means, but Mississippi Valley State's one benefit from last weekend's 72-7 loss at No. 2 North Dakota State was its first game.The Delta Devils were able to play everyone at the Fargodome, and came away mostly unscathed on the injury front, according to coach Rick Comegy (pronounced Com-a-gee). That, in itself, will be a huge benefit when they come down to Saluki Stadium to play SIU Saturday night in what will be the Salukis' long-awaited season opener.
"I think we needed that game. We needed that speed. We needed to see that strength," Comegy said. "We needed to see some of those things that you don't see in practice. I think as we weave through these games, and work our way down to Southern Illinois, then Grambling (State), and Charleston Southern, that first four is a tough schedule, but, still, I think we'll get better as we go each week."
Mississippi Valley State, a program coming off back-to-back 1-10 seasons that has to play five of its first six games on the road, managed only three first downs against the Bison. One of them came off a penalty.
The Delta Devils, who averaged less than a yard a carry last season, gained 39 yards on the ground but lost 70 (North Dakota State had five sacks for minus-35 yards). They passed for 89 yards, 85 of them by backup Christopher Fowler, after Comegy pulled starter Jeff Even early after he was pressured heavily by the Bison's front four.
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