At Mississippi Valley State's homecoming game, the Delta Devils scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a two-touchdown deficit before winning in the second overtime thanks to a missed extra point try from the visiting Golden Lions.
Valley quarterback Dejerric Bryant turned in his best performance of his Delta Devils career, rushing for 174 yards and three touchdowns on 23 attempts. He also completed 11 out of his 19 pass attempts for 117 yards.Bryant's heroics were part of Valley's (1-5, 1-2 SWAC) season-high 380 yards rushing as a team. Booker Chambers rushed for 127 yards on seven carries and scored two touchdowns, the first of which came on a 65-yard run to open the fourth quarter and ignite the Delta Devils' late rally. Chambers' other touchdown was a 25-yard run on the first play of overtime.
Not to be overlooked was John Derrick Smith's two touchdowns to go along with 36 yards on 10 carries. He also caught five passes for 83 yards to lead the Delta Devils in receiving.
Valley's defensive effort was led by 14 tackles from Jemaurri Bailey, which included a solo tackle for loss. Tadarius Davis recorded 12 tackles for the Delta Devils, followed by nine from Tracy Thompkins, and eight tackles apiece for Bryant Jones and Deione Reed.
BOX SCORE
Bryant's big game rushing the ball helped offset Arkansas–Pine Bluff running back Taeyler Porter's performance, as he rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries. Pine Bluff quarterback Skyler Perry threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-33 passing.
After Chambers scored on his 65-yard scamper to cut Pine Bluff's lead to 27-20 early in the fourth quarter, the Delta Devils forced the visitors to go three-and-out. Valley's offense responded with a nine-play, 48-yard drive that was capped by a three-yard touchdown run from Smith to tie the game. The drive was aided by a 27-yard pass from Bryant to Smith that set up first-and-goal on the Lions' five-yard line.
On Pine Bluff's next possession, the Lions pieced together an eight-play drive that stalled at the Valley 29-yard line. The Golden Lions sent Jamie Gillan to kick a 46-yard field goal, but his try was unsuccessful; it was his second missed field goal of the period.
With 2:51 remaining in the game, Valley wasted little time marching down the field. A four-play, 71-yard drive was capped with Bryant rushing 43 yards for a go-ahead touchdown with 1:31 left in regulation.
But before the Delta Devils and their homecoming crowd could celebrate, the Golden Lions managed to move the ball 75 yards to the end zone on nine plays. Perry's pass to Dejuan Miller from seven yards out tied the score with no time remaining on the clock.
After the Golden Lions won the overtime coin toss, the Delta Devils sent their offense to the field. Chambers wasted absolutely no time getting into the end zone, as he raced 25 yards on the first play to give Valley a 41-34 lead.
Pine Bluff responded with a touchdown on their possession, and managed another touchdown on the first drive of the second overtime. However, their second touchdown was followed by a missed extra point from Gillan, whose kick hit the right upright of the goalpost.
Down six points as his team started the drive, Bryant rushed for 15 yards on Valley's first play of the second overtime. The next play was a 10-yard rush into the end zone for Bryant, tying the score at 47. Ruben Piraquive then kicked the extra point to give the Delta Devils the win and set off the celebration on the field and in the stands.
The Delta Devils return to action Saturday, Oct. 27, when they visit Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent Texas Southern. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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