Sports

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Valley, Jackson State meet in critical SWAC game

Mississippi Valley State quarterback Paul Roberts gets a final shot to beat Jackson State.

Mississippi Valley State (2-4, 0-2) entertains Jackson State in a crucial SWAC contest today at 1 p.m. at Rice-Totten Stadium.

Roberts had the Delta Devils in position to beat Jackson State last year at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The former St. John standout fumbled at the Tigers 25-yard line in the closing seconds of a 29-27 loss.

The last Coast quarterback to lead Valley over Jackson State was Moss Point’s Keith Poindexter in 1994.

Jackson State (1-5, 1-2) can’t afford another loss and fall behind in the East Division standings.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Alcorn State at Alabama State: Alcorn (3-3, 2-1) surprisingly finds itself in the middle of the East Division race, and should defeat the hapless Hornets on the road.

If the Braves win their remaining games, they’ll play in the SWAC Championship Game on Dec. 12 at Legion Field. The Soul Bowl clash against Jackson State on Nov. 21 could decide the East title.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Centre College at Millsaps: The Majors (4-3, 2-1) sit just two victories away from winning a third straight Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship.

Should the Majors run the table, they’ll likely start the NCAA Division III playoffs on the road next month.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Southern Arkansas at Delta State: The Statesmen (3-4, 3-3) have little chance of winning a third straight Gulf South Conference title. For the first time since 2005, Delta State won’t make the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Mississippi College at East Texas Baptist: The Choctaws (5-1, 4-0 ASC) continue to chase their first-ever Division III playoff berth.

MC, which average more than 40 points a game, has found offensive balance. Running back Steven Knight, who has almost 500 yards rushing, compliments quarterback Adam Shaffer.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Belhaven at Cumberland University: The Blazers (4-3, 4-0) have one of the NAIA’s pass catchers in wide receiver Cordario Calvin. Calvin has more than 500 yards receiving and played a key role in the Blazers challenging for the Mid-South East Division title.