SCOUTING REPORT: BRAVES AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
ITTA BENA, MISS. - RICE-TOTTEN STADIUM
KICKOFF TIME: 4:00 P.M.The Braves head to the Mississippi Delta for their first SWAC road test of the season to face the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State. So far this season, the Braves are 2-1 while the Delta Devils are 1-2 and 0-1 in SWAC play.
- In the past 10 years, the Braves have defeated the Delta Devils eight out of 10 times including last year's 35-28 comeback victory at Spinks-Casem Stadium.
- Head Coach
Jay Hopson and Mississippi Valley State Head Coach Rick Comegy meet for the third time in their coaching careers with the series being tied at 1-1 in the previous two seasons.
- The last time the Braves were at Rice-Totten Stadium, the Delta Devils defeated the Braves 33-9 in Hopson's first season as the Braves head coach.
- Last week the Braves defeated Louisiana College 52-10 while the Delta Devils lost their first SWAC game to Alabama State 47-22.
- The Braves are ranked 1st in the SWAC in nine different statistical categories; scoring offense (42.3 ppg), scoring defense (14.3 ppg), total offense (472.0 ypg), total defense (233.7 ypg), rushing offense (300.3 ypg), rushing defense (44.7 ypg), first downs (21.7 per game), PAT kicking (16-16 for .100 pct.) & sacks (15).
- In the FCS, the Braves are ranked in several categories: kick return defense (1st, 10.88 ypg), rushing defense (1st, 44.7 ypg), rushing offense (3rd, 300.3 ypg) and team sacks (2nd, 5.50 per game).
- Junior defensive back
Anthony Williams, Jr. leads the SWAC in punt return average (24.2 ypg) and was named the CFPA National Punt Returner of the Week after returning four punts for 149 yards and and one for an 82-yard touchdown.
- Sophomore kicker,
Haiden McCraney ranks first in the SWAC in PATs with a perfect 13-13 on the season.
- Senior defensive end
Darien Moody leads the SWAC in sacks with a total of 3.5 sacks in the three games the Braves have played this season.
- Quarterback
John Gibbs, Jr. was named College Sports Madness Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week after completing 18-of-31 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Gibbs also rushed for 52 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown.
