ITTA BENA, Miss. – Redshirt junior
Jaden Davis had a game to remember Saturday evening, willing his team to a 34-14 win over Mississippi Valley State at Rice-Totten Stadium.
In a game that featured six turnovers, it was Davis who continually turned the game on its head. He finished with three interceptions, a mark that ties him for third in program history for a single game. He also led the team with nine tackles, picked up a sack and a tackle for loss, and recorded a scoop and score that sealed the Wildcat's fourth win of the season.
Things did not go as planned for the B-CU offense to open the game, as the Wildcats (4-3, 2-1) turned the ball over on their first possession. They were successful in moving the ball deep inside MVSU territory, before Phillip Jackson picked off Amari Jones at the 35 yard-line.
Mississippi Valley State (3-5, 2-2) quickly turned the takeaway into points, as quarterback Josh Brown found the end zone on a 47-yard run to make it 7-0.
The Wildcats began their second drive at the MVSU 42 thanks to a 58-yard kickoff return by Tre Rigby. Jones then helped lead B-CU deep in the red zone before making another critical mistake. McKinney Cole picked up the Delta Devils' second interception of Jones in the end zone, giving MVSU possession at their own 20.
B-CU's defense held strong this time, allowing one first down before forcing a punt. Isaiah Washburn earned a tackle for loss on second down while Keyontae Byas had a pass breakup on third down.
After a Wildcats' punt, the Delta Devils drove deep inside B-CU territory. However, a holding penalty halted their momentum, forcing them to punt once again.
After two more punts, the Wildcats tied the game midway through the second. Tyler Jefferson entered the game at quarterback, leading the Wildcats down field and finding Rickie Shaw II for a 23-yard touchdown.
On this ensuing drive from MVSU, Jaden Davis made his first big play of the night. He recorded his first interception of Josh Brown to give B-CU the ball right back.
The offense took care of the rest, taking the lead on a two-yard run from Jefferson.
The Delta Devils had two more drives before halftime, but both were halted by Jaden Davis. Davis recorded an 11-yard sack to force a punt, then grabbed his second INT on the next drive to keep the score at 14-7 heading into the break.
The second half began slowly for both teams, as four of the first five possessions were three-and-outs.
B-CU shook off the cobwebs late in the third, with Jefferson scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game to make it 21-7.
In the fourth quarter, Jefferson threw a second touchdown pass to Shaw II, which ultimately put the game out of reach for the Delta Devils. MVSU would score another touchdown with 10:36 remaining, but the B-CU defense would not allow them to make another late comeback.
Jaden Davis capped off a monster game with a 61-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown with just 50 seconds remaining, making it 35-14.
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- The Wildcats' defense finished with a season-high six sacks, including two by Joseph Evans.
- Keyontae Byas had three tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
- Isaiah Washburn had two tackles for loss and a sack.
- Tyler Jefferson recorded two touchdowns through the air and two on the ground.
- Rickie Shaw II earned season-highs in catches (5) and yards (80), and caught his first two touchdowns of the year.
- Freshman Cameron Oxendine finished with three catches for 32 yards, good for the highest totals of his young career.
- Along with the three turnovers, the Delta Devils accumulated 15 penalties for 153 yards.
- Mississippi Valley State outgained the Wildcats 325 to 304.
- The Delta Devils held a strong B-CU rushing attack to just 3.2 yards per carry.
The Wildcats return home next Saturday for a date with Jackson State at Daytona Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST.
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