Homecoming in Pine Bluff this year will feature a pair of SWAC schools with second-year coaches looking to take a step forward in their respective rebuilds.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will host Mississippi Valley State at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 in what will be the first of three straight games against East Division foes.
UAPB Head Coach Alonzo Hampton and MVSU Head Coach Kendrick Wade are both entering their second seasons in charge. Last year, UAPB finished last in the West, while MVSU finished last in the East.
Valley’s only win of 2023 was its 42-17 homecoming win against the Golden Lions.
The Delta Devils had the lowest-scoring offense in the SWAC, scoring 12.6 points per conference game. Their defense ranked eighth, allowing 24.3 points per game.
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One key difference between UAPB and MVSU entering 2024 is the quarterback position. Valley brings back last year’s starter, Ty’Jarian Williams. As a freshman last year, Williams completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 1,197 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for two touchdowns.
Williams gets his top two targets back, as well. Tight end Jaxson Davis caught 36 passes for 406 yards and three touchdowns, and wide receiver Kerrick Ross caught 32 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns.
MVSU loses several other receivers but brings in Illinois State transfer Camo Nelson, who caught 11 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown last year.
Valley loses its top rusher in Jared Wilson, who scored a third of the Delta Devils’ rushing touchdowns, but brings back DePhabian Fant. Fant was the team’s second-leading rusher with 275 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was a 53-yard run against UAPB.
UAPB graduate transfer Calvin Lester III will join Valley’s offensive line and look to open holes for Fant and others.
On defense, MVSU will have some consistency in the front seven despite losing three of its top five tacklers.
One big loss is linebacker Jayren Fox, who led the team with 78 tackles and 10 tackles for loss with three sacks. However, Valley brings back two other top linebackers, including Ryan Quinney, the team’s second-leading tackler, who made 59 tackles with nine for loss. Quinney also had 2.5 sacks.
Valley’s leading defensive lineman, Derrick Jones, returns. Jones made 39 tackles with four for loss. He also had a sack. MVSU brought in some transfers to join the defense line, including Wayne State transfer Donte Reed. He had 16 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last season.
The biggest void Valley must fill is in the secondary. Brandon Williams returns after making 31 tackles with two fumble recoveries and an interception, but the Delta Devils lose most of their other top defensive backs. The most notable loss is Omar Emmons, who was the team’s third-leading tackler with 46 tackles, including three for loss. He intercepted two passes, forced two fumbles and recovered one.
Valley added several transfers to fill the holes in the secondary. The most notable edition is Miami transfer Malik Curtis, who saw limited playing time in two seasons with the Hurricanes.
UAPB’s loss to MVSU last year was the first meeting between the teams since 2020. The Golden Lions had won two straight games against the Delta Devils prior to last season.