7
Mississippi Valley State 1-8 , 1-5
20
Winner Bethune-Cookman 2-7 , 1-5
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVS | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| BCU | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
Miscues and missed opportunities proved to be their undoing as Mississippi Valley State fell in defeat at the hands of Bethune-Cookman 20-7 Thursday night in a nationally televised matchup.
The Delta Devils had three turnovers on the evening and were only able to generate points ince in five trips to the red zone.
The Wildcats got on the board first, reaching in their bag of tricks to score when running back Mar’kai Shaw connected with Tink Boyd on a 41-yard touchdown pass that gave Bethune an early 7-0 lead.
Valley’s subsequent two drives flamed out in a missed 32-yard field goal and then an Omari Hill Robinson interception of a Ty’Jarian Williams pass. The Wildcats were able to turn that turnover into points 5 plays later when Tylik Bethea found Boyd from eight yards out to extend the Bethune lead to 14-0.
Mississippi Valley responded with a 14-play, 70 drive that ended up being all for naught, as David Alexander was unable to convert a 31-yard field goal attempt.
On the ensuing offensive possession, Cookman marched 77 yards in 11 plays tacking on three more points via a 20-yard field goal off the foot of Cade Hechter extending their lead to 17-0, a lead they would take into halftime.
MVSU scored their first and only points of the evening on the opening possession of the second half when Jared Wilson plunged in from a yard out to trim the deficit to 17-7.
Later in the third quarter, Darnell Deas intercepted a Jaydyn Sisk pass deep in MVSU territory. B-CU turned it into points four plays later when Hechter connected on a 21-yard field goal that pushed their advantage to 20-7.
Despite running 22 plays and two trips to the red zone in the fourth quarter, the Delta Devils came away with no points.
With the win, the Wildcats (2-7, 1-5) will host Alabama A&M on November 11. Mississippi Valley returns home for a matchup with Alabama State next week.
Here is what to Coach Raymond Woodie’s Bethune-Cookman Wildcats getting their first SWAC win this season:
Turnovers and missed opportunities
Mississippi Valley was unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities, reaching the red zone on five separate occasions and coming away with just 7 points. This combined with three turnovers negated the fact the Delta Devils outgained the Wildcats 394 to 292, converted more first downs (24 to 15), and dominated time of possession 37:05 to 22:55
Penalties
Penalties were another example of the Delta Devils not being able to get out of their way. MVSU was penalized 9 times for 70 yards on the evening.
Team Statistics
| Game Stats | MVS | BCU |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 394 | 292 |
| Pass Yards | 296 | 177 |
| Rushing Yards | 98 | 115 |
| Penalty Yards | 9-70 | 4-50 |
| 1st Downs | 24 | 15 |
| 3rd Downs | 5-14 | 0-9 |
| 4th Downs | 2-3 | 0-0 |
| TOP | 37:05 | 22:55 |
| 1ST QUARTER | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 07:27 – BCU – Boyd,Tink 41 yd pass from Shaw,Mar’Kai (Hechter,Cade kick) 2 plays, 53 yards, TOP 00:46 | 0 | 7 | |
| 2ND QUARTER | |||
| 14:12 – BCU – Boyd,Tink 8 yd pass from Bethea,Tylik (Hechter,Cade kick) 5 plays, 47 yards, TOP 01:23 | 0 | 14 | |
| 03:36 – BCU – Hechter,Cade 20 yd field goal 9 plays, 77 yards, TOP 03:20 | 0 | 17 | |
| 3RD QUARTER | |||
 11:23 – MVS – Wilson,Jared 1 yd run (Davis,Alexander kick), 9 plays, 60 yards, TOP 03:29 | 7 | 17 | |
| 00:43 – BCU – Hechter,Cade 21 yd field goal 4 plays, 7 yards, TOP 01:53 | 7 | 20 | |
