ITTA BENA, MS. – The Lincoln University football team will conclude the 2009 season on the road at Division I (FCS) Mississippi Valley State this Saturday afternoon.
MVS (2-7) is on a five-game losing streak and coming off of a 30-7 loss at home against Texas Southern this past weekend. The Delta Devils collected wins over Alabama State (10-3) and Texas College (61-6).
Because the Delta Devils have trailed in a good chunk of games this season, they have had to air it out, as the team has posted 1,772 yards through the air compared to just 490 rushing yards. Of the 270 pass attempts through the air, 13 have resulted in interceptions and the Blue Tigers may have a chance to get some pressure on the quarterbacks, as the offensive line has allowed 49 sacks in nine games.
Paul Roberts and Marvin Pittman have shared the quarterback duties, with Roberts throwing for 911 yards and seven touchdowns, while Pittman has added 297 yards through the air in three games. Eddie Ivory, Jr. has also notched some time at QB the past few weeks, throwing for 212 yards and three touchdowns.
Three receivers share the bulk of the passing yards, with Brandon Stargell leading the way with 356 yards receiving on 27 receptions for four touchdowns, while Paul Cox, Jr. has added 20 receptions for 285 yards and two scores. Christopher Williams is also near the top two in receiving, pulling down 23 passes for 295 yards and one touchdown.
When the Delta Devils elect to rush the ball, Johey Hargrett usually gets the call, posting 148 yards on 47 carries and one touchdown. The next closest on the team is Stephen Robert, who has carried the ball 30 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
While MVS has allowed several sacks, they have also posted a ton on defense tallying 30 on the season. Jared Green leads the way with eight for a loss of 39 yards, Green is also third on the team in total tackles with 53, with 21 coming as solo stops and first in tackles for loss with 13 going for 54 yards. Markkus Davis leads the Delta Devils in total tackles with 63, with 38 coming as solo stops.
Lincoln (0-10, 0-4 Great Lakes Football Conference) will look to avoid the sack attack with a strong running game, as the Blue Tigers enter Saturday’s game having rushed for 1,265 yards, while also passing for 513.
Freshman Andre Young, despite not tallying the carries he has in previous weeks, still leads the team with 407 yards on the ground on 136 carries and one touchdown. Junior AJ Simeon is one of four Blue Tiger backs to be in triple digits, racking up 251 yards rushing on 68 attempts. Juniors Chris Willis and quarterback Josh Goffigan also have rushed for over 100 yards, with Willis tallying 193 yards on 66 carries and one touchdown, while Goffigan leads the team with three rushing touchdowns on 120 attempts and 162 rushing yards.
Freshman cornerback O’Hara Fluellen remains near the top in interceptions in the nation, despite not recording an interception last week against Kentucky Wesleyan, Fluellen still ranks in a tie for 11th with his .60 interception average a game on his six total interceptions. Fluellen also moved up a few rankings in kickoff return average a game, tallying almost 25 yards a return (24.95) to rank 39th in the nation.
Lincoln will play at Mississippi Valley State with kickoff set for 1 p.m. CST at Rice-Totten Stadium. Fans can follow the action by clicking on the link below and looking for the "Football- Mississippi Valley St. vs. Lincoln" link in the middle of the page to listen live.
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