Game 7: Delta State at North Alabama Game Notes
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FLORENCE, Ala.-The Delta State University football team will look to get back on the right track as they travel to Florence, Ala., to take on the No. 2 University of North Alabama Lions (7-0, 4-0 GSC) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Braly Municipal Stadium.

The Statesmen (3-3, 2-2 GSC), who lost 34-14 on the road to West Alabama on Oct. 10th, appear to be in a must-win situation to keep postseason hopes alive, while the Lions are currently in the driver's seat with a two game lead in the Gulf South Conference standings.

Thursday will mark the seventh time in the last three years the two rivals have met on the gridiron, as they have met in the regular season and playoffs in each of the last three seasons. The Lions boast a 3-1 record against the Statesmen under head coach Ron Roberts.

DSU needs production from senior quarterback Garrett DeWitt to keep pace with the quick strike Lions offense. DeWitt threw seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in the two meetings in 2008 between the two schools. DSU came from behind to defeat UNA, 34-28, in the regular season meeting, while UNA advanced to the National Semifinals with a 55-34 triumph over the Statesmen.

The green-and-white will also need production from All-American receiver Trevar Deed. The Phoenix, Ariz., native currently ranks third in the GSC with 165.5 all-purpose yards per game. The junior all purpose back is tied for the GSC lead with eight total touchdowns. DSU will also look to senior wide receiver Eldred King. The Middle Tennessee St. transfer has caught 16 passes for 185 yards in his last two games.

The UNA offense has been a force through seven games this season, as they lead the GSC with 42.9 points per game. Senior quarterback Harrison Beck has a host of targets on his radar. The duo of Beck and Cory Eddinger has completed passes to 19 different receivers. Beck's favorite targets are T.J. Porter, Preston Parker and Mico McSwain. The trio has accounted for 100 of 169 total completions by UNA quarterbacks.

The Lions will look to a trio of running backs for a majority of the work load, as Tim Hicks, Marcus Sims and Jamaal Edwards gain 86 of the 97 yards the Lions average per game.

Defensively, the two schools feature their own All-American linebackers. The Statesmen will be led by Lardester Hicks-Green. The Chicago, Ill., native racked up a then school record 18 tackles in the playoff loss to the Lions in 2008. Since then the senior ranks second in the GSC with 66 total tackles, despite playing one game less than West Alabama's J.D. Douglas who ranks first with 80 total stops. Hicks-Green also ranks second in the GSC with 11.5 tackles for loss.

UNA will counter with Michael Johnson. The Panama City, Fla., native leads the Lions with 48 total tackles and ranks second on the team with seven tackles for loss.

The contest will also feature a bevy of talent in the kicking game, as the Lions boast All-American punter Will Batson. The senior leads the GSC with a 42.7 yard per kick average. Not to be outdone, DSU will be with the services of Tyler Caldwell who has a 39.7 yard per punt average which ranks him third in the league.

UNA also has the best scoring defense in the GSC, allowing only 10.9 points per contest. The Statesmen are fifth in that category, allowing 22.7 points per game.

The Lions lead the all-time series 28-21-1 and enter the game with a 23 game regular season home winning streak.

The game will be broadcast throughout the Southeast region by Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast and will be shown locally on WHCQ. The game will also be carried live on the Statesmen Sports Network, beginning at 6 p.m. with the “South Group Insurance Locker Room Report.” Matt Jones, Jimmy Smith, Richard Webster and J.T. Webb will have the call.