Texas Southern vs. Mississippi Valley State

The game began with two teams on the opposite side of the ledger. TSU, boasts the best record in team history, and hopes to contend for the Southwestern Athletic Conference title. The Delta Devils entered the contest winless and their star running back, Corey Holmes, had just returned to action last week against Jackson State. Holmes had been out since the first game of the season after sustaining a high ankle sprain against Louisiana Tech. He garnered 234 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries against the Tiger defense, the most by any running back this season.

"He's the best that we've played against this year," said Kenwick Thompson, defensive coordinator for the Tigers. "We just didn't execute. We had a few blown assignments and he's a good enough player that when you make mistakes like that, he'll hurt you."

TSU struggled in the first half, trying to contain Holmes and to get their shotgun offense on track. A couple of misfires by the receiving corps and penalties held the Tigers to a 10-10, score at half time.

"The receivers started off pretty slow, so we had to go to the running game. Luckily for us, they (Waymon Steed/Jr. and Dalton Hughes/Fr.) came through like we thought they would because we worked hard on the run the whole week," said Lamb.

In the third quarter, Mississippi Valley had their drive halted by Demarest Corley, who intercepted Jason Howard at third down on the Delta Devil's 45-yard line. Starting the next drive on their 34-yard line, TSU still could not get things going offensively and had to punt once more.

The Delta Devils wasted no time as Holmes broke out for an 86-yard touchdown and Mississippi Valley took the lead for a second time with 11:02 on the clock.With 3:51 remaining in the third quarter, Tiger quarterback Adam Lamb scored from six yards out, to even the score at 17. Less than a minute later, TSU defensive back, Oliver Celestine made the biggest play of the game, intercepting Howard's pass for a 26-yard touchdown return. The Tigers never looked back.

"I knew at half time, I had to come back and do something to turn the game around," said Celestine.

The Tigers final score came at the top of the fourth quarter when Alvin Owens hauled in a six-yard pass from Lamb. Though the Delta Devils have yet to post a win, they played the Tigers tough the whole four quarters. They scored with less than two minutes remaining in the game, when Donte' Boatman scored on a 39-yard reception.

"We thought coming into the ball game that this was a great team. They had a great schedule and a lot of bad luck. But we had to come out a play the ball game that we know TSU can play," said Lamb.

Ben Moore had 12 tackles for the Delta Devils. For the Tigers, preseason All-American and All-SWAC linebacker, Lernard Mack, garnered 12 tackles, three for a loss of 15 yards, one forced fumble and a ten yard sack. Celestine finished with 8 tackles, one for a loss of seven yards, plus the game-winning interception return.

The Tigers return to action 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 28 against Grambling (7-1, 6-0) in San Antonio, Texas, for the first ever Alamo City Classic.

"We didn't want to look forward to them before now, but this is what we've been waiting for all year long," said Thompson. "We're not going to do nothing less, everything is going to go toward this game. I love the tradition at Grambling and respect it, but we're coming to win."

GAME SUMMARY

TEAM STATISTICS