Sports
Alcorn State, Mississippi Valley State tangle Saturday
Mississippi Valley State could spoil Alcorn State’s hopes of winning a third straight SWAC football championship.
The rivals meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at Rice-Totten Stadium in Itta Bena. It’s the 60th meeting.
Alcorn (3-5, 3-4 SWAC) holds a commanding 42-16-1 series lead and has won four straight from Valley. The Delta Devils’ last victory came in 2012, winning 33-9. Alcorn, tied with Jackson State atop the East Division this season, won 55-14 last year.
“We have to come out with the mindset of being ready to play,” Braves coach Fred McNair said in a SWAC teleconference. “Valley’s coming off a big win.”
Valley (1-8, 1-6) recorded its first win of the season, beating Arkansas-Pine Bluff 41-7. The Golden Lions beat Alcorn State 45-43 in triple overtime on Sept. 15 for their only victory of 2016.
“Alcorn can put points on the board in a hurry,” Valley coach Rick Comegy said. “I’m looking forward to the game. It’s a great opportunity for us.”
Alabama A&M at Jackson State, 2 p.m.: The Tigers (3-6, 3-4) need a victory to keep pace with Alcorn for a berth in next month’s SWAC championship Game.
Jarin Morikawa continues to grow at quarterback for Jackson State, throwing for 234 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 14-7 loss at Alabama State.
Former Biloxi High quarterback Damion May Jr. could see action for the Bulldogs. The redshirt sophomore has played in seven games this season as a backup.
Delta State at Florida Tech, 1 p.m.: Former Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College running back Chris Robinson has a shot at a 1,000-yard rushing season in the Statemen’s season finale.
The junior needs only 106 yards to reach the mark for Delta State (4-5, 3-4 Gulf South Conference).
Robinson also has 30 receptions for 485 yards and a team-leading five touchdown catches.
North Alabama at Mississippi College, 2 p.m.: The Choctaws (3-6, 1-6 GSC) will be hard-pressed to win their regular-season finale at Hale-Robinson Stadium in Clinton.
Seventh-ranked North Alabama (7-1, 6-0 GSC) is the conference champion. Two former MGCCC standouts —linebacker Barron Miller and offensive lineman Cody Vaughn— play for the Lions. Vaughn is from Lucedale.
Belhaven at Howard Payne, 1 p.m.: The Blazers (1-8) close the regular season on the road in Brownwood, Texas.
Quarterback Clayton Webb could see action. He threw for 345 yards and two touchdowns in a 59-21 loss to Mary-Hardin Baylor last week.
Rhodes at Millsaps, 1 p.m.: Cornerback Tyrone Howard has recorded an interception in the last two games for Millsaps (3-6, 2-5 Southern Athletic Association).
His 53-yard interception return for a touchdown helped the Majors beat Sewanee.
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