CLEVELAND - Delta State University head football coach Ron Roberts and the Statesmen will officially begin preparations for the 2010 season on Monday, Aug. 9, as 113 student-athletes will report for fall camp.  Practices will begin Monday at 9 p.m.

"We're excited and ready to go," Roberts stated.  "Last season left a bad taste in our mouths and we have a solid nucleus of guys ready to erase that and compete for the Gulf South Conference title."

The Statesmen, who finished the 2009 season 5-5 after being ranked as high a No. 9 in the preseason polls, return 43 lettermen and 14 starters off last season's club, led by returning All-American running back Trevar Deed. 

Deed and the Statesmen will hit the practice field Monday evening at 9 p.m. for their first session of fall camp.  DSU will practice most days at 3 p.m. on the practice fields adjacent to Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  All practices are open to the public. 

Delta State will kickoff the 2010 season at Jackson State on Saturday, Sept. 4.  Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. at Mississippi Veterans' Memorial Stadium.