Mississippi Valley State Game Notes I Lamar Game Notes 

BEAUMONT, Texas, - Mississippi Valley State will face Lamar in what will be the second home game of the season in Provost Umphrey Stadium for LU. The game is scheduled for a national broadcast on ESPN3 and kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
 
LAST OUTINGS
The Delta Devils opened the season on the road against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic with a 26-20 defeat.
 
Despite the loss, MVSU finished the contest 20 yards shy of an upset win. For the Delta Devils, the result marks their most competitive finish in a season opener since the 2014 season, when they earned a 32-7 win over Faith University of Florida. 
 
The Delta Devils closed out the game against Tennessee State with 247 yards of total offense, with the majority of that through the air. Dejerric Bryant finished the game completing 27 passes for 205 yards and a score, while MVSU engineered an 11-play, 75-yard score. A crucial defensive stop only conceded a Tiger field goal, which gave the Delta Devils a chance to win.
 
Lamar’s defense held Bethel to less than 200 yards of total offense, and just three points in the second half helping the Cardinals to the 65-16 victory over the non-conference Bethel team at the Provost Umphrey Stadium.
 
The Cardinals put up more than 650 yards of total offense in the opener, including nearly 350 on the ground.
 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Last week, Dejerric Bryant went 27-for-52 for 205 yards and a touchdown pass. Sedevyn Gray led receivers with nine catches for 62 yards, and John'Derrick Smith added six receptions for 60 yards and 29 yards on the ground. Jarius Clayton added 119 all-purpose yards split between returns and catches.
 
On defense, Tracy Thompkins led the way with 12 tackles, and Jamenta Shaw added eight tackles and a forced fumble. Jerry Garner registered seven tackles, and Jonathan Jones enjoyed a solid all-around performance with five tackles and three broken up passes, including one that disrupted a touchdown catch.
 
Led by senior Jordan Hoy, the Cardinals put up more than 650 yards of total offense in the opener, including nearly 350 on the ground. Hoy picked up where he left off in his three starts last season completing 18 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried the ball 10 times for 50 yards and three scores.
 
Despite the numbers on the offensive side of the ball, they didn't overshadow a young Cardinals' defense who held Bethel's high-octane offense to fewer than 200 yards (including just 68 through the air) while forcing the Wildcats into three turnovers and a 3-of-18 performance on third downs.
  
FOLLOW ALONG
Watch: ESPN 3
Listen: News Talk 560 KLVI (iHeart Radio)
Radio: KLVI 560 FM
Livestats: https://lamarcardinals.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
 
ABOUT THE SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams. 
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis. 
 
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball. 

FOLLOW THE SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.