Box Score / Alabama A&M clinched the SWAC East title Saturday and a berth into the SWAC Championship Game with a 17-12 win over Mississippi Valley State at Louis Crews Stadium. Ulysses Banks, playing in his final home game, rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown. But it was the Bulldog defense that once again rose to the occasion, holding the Delta Devils to 282 yards and forcing two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Korey Morrison.
The Bulldogs took the opening drive 66 yards on 13 plays to set up a Jeremy Licea 22-yard field goal that gave A&M a lead it would not relinquish. Banks scored his touchdown on the Bulldogs' second possession capping an 80-yard, 10-play drive with a one-yard plunge into the endzone. Morrison made it 17-0 with his 30-yard interception return with 13:28 to play in the first half, and the Bulldogs cruised from there.
Mississippi Valley State cut the A&M lead to 17-6 with 1:27 left in the first half on a Stephen Robert two-yard touchdown run. The Devils added the game's only second-half score with just :02 remaining in the game to make the final 17-12. Chris Williams found Eddie Ivory on a six-yard scoring throw.
Alabama A&M dominated time of possession with nearly a 10-minute advantage and outgained the Delta Devils 313 to 282. Alabama A&M's field possession advantage got a huge boost from punter Chance Wilson. Wilson averaged 46.6 yards per kick, including a career best 66-yarder. Each of his five punts were downed inside the MVSU 20-yard-line.
Rashad Johnson led the receiving corps with six catches for 43 yards. Thomas Harris finished with three catches for 31 yards. Quarterback Deaunte Mason was 12-21 for 98 yards passing. Rico Porch recorded his third interception in two games.