CLEVELAND – How does one top tying the single-game record for tackles in the previous week? By breaking that same record – and rushing for the win-preserving first down.

Delta State senior linebacker Lardester Hicks-Green stole the spotlight for the second consecutive week as he took part in a team-record 20 tackles as the No. 20-ranked Statesmen outlasted Valdosta State 31-23 Thursday at McCool Stadium.

Hicks-Green (Chicago, Ill./Steinmetz HS) eclipsed the single-game tackles record of 18, which he reached in last week's loss at Ouachita Baptist. He also moved into second place on the all-time list with 319 career stops. Hicks-Green is now 17 tackles away from breaking the all-time record held by Jimmy Wilson, who suited up for the Statesmen from 1987-1990.

The 5,655 spectators in attendance were not the only ones to witness Hicks-Green break the record. Thursday's game between the Statesmen and Blazers was shown on GSC-TV Live, which was broadcast regionally on Cox Sports and Charter Sports Southeast to over 10 million homes across the southeastern U.S.

The Statesmen (3-2) improved to 10-2 all-time in televised games while improving their Gulf South Conference record in 2009 to 2-1. The Blazers (2-3) fell to 2-2 in GSC play.

Hicks-Green's biggest play, however, may have come on the offensive side of the ball. With the Statesmen protecting their eight-point lead late in the fourth quarter and faced with a 4th-and-1 situation at midfield, Hicks-Green lined up in the upback position of punt formation and received the direct snap. The fake punt caught the Blazers off-guard and Hicks-Green scampered for two yards and a first down.

Following the first down, the Statesmen were able to run four more plays and force Valdosta State to spend their timeouts, and held on for their second home victory in as many games.

While Hicks-Green commanded the most attention on defense, he was far from the only star on Delta State's Green Shirts defense. Senior linebacker Justin Halas gave the Statesmen a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter by returning a Kellen Lewis interception 47 yards for a touchdown. Jacob Murphy also hauled in an interception during the game for the Statesmen.

Quincy Wallin and Hollon Fiu both recorded eight tackles apiece for Delta State, while teammates Eljae Faoagali and Garrett Williams added seven stops. Byron Davenport added six tackles, including five solo tackles.

The Statesmen offense also had a productive evening, as quarterback Garrett DeWitt completed 22-of-30 passes for 248 yards with a touchdown throw to Eldred King. King caught six passes for 116 yards.

Trevar Deed led the Statesmen rushing attack by accumulating 84 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught nine passes for 68 yards.

Deed was racking up the yards, but his totals could have been higher if not for four fumbles, two of which turned into turnovers. For the game, the Statesmen turned the ball over three times in the game, and played in a role in the Valdosta State closing the gap to a single touchdown before game's end.

The Statesmen led by as much as 28-7 thanks to a 30-yard touchdown run by Deed with 8:29 remaining in the second quarter, but the Blazers were able to rebound with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to Kody Case and a pair of 32-yard field goals from Justin Kraemer before halftime. The Statesmen took a 28-20 lead into the locker room.

Kraemer and Delta State's Matt Dean each knocked down field goals in the third quarter, with Dean setting a collegiate best by nailing a 43-yarder. Neither team scored in the final quarter.

Even though the Statesmen were unable to score in the fourth, they were able to keep control of the game in their own hands by holding the ball for 11:36 in the final quarter.

The Statesmen return to action one week from Saturday when they travel to West Alabama. Opening kickoff from Livingston, Ala. is scheduled for 6 p.m.