Delta State at Ouachita Baptist - Weekly Game Notes Release
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CLEVELAND - The nation will be watching Saturday at A.U. Williams Field, as the No. 9 ranked Delta State University football team (2-1), travels to Arkadelphia, Ark., for a top 25 showdown with the No.21 Ouachita Baptist University Tigers (3-0).  It's one of only three contests this week between top 25 teams and the only one in Gulf South Conference play. 

"It's a huge test for this football team," stated coach Ron Roberts, Statesmen head coach.  "OBU is a very talented and skilled football team, and coach Knight will have them ready to play."

The Statesmen enter the game on a bit of a hot streak after averaging 45 points in their last two games, including a 48-10 win over Harding (2-2) on Sept. 19. Meanwhile, the Tigers are coming off one of the biggest wins in program history, as they upset national power and GSC rival Valdosta State 24-14 last Saturday at A.U. Williams field in Arkadelphia.

OBU, who received its first American Football Coaches Association Top 25 ranking in school history on Monday, will look to a duo of skill position players that helped the drive the Tigers to victory over Valdosta State. Senior running back K.J. Johnson rushed 27 times for 144 yards in the win, while senior receiver Jeremy Young had a Herculean effort, catching 13 passes for a school record 261 yards and two touchdowns. The San Diego, Calif., native was rewarded for his efforts, as he was named Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week and D2Football.com National Player of the Week.

Johnson has rushed for 430 yards on 65 carries and five touchdowns so far this season. The Monroe, La., native currently leads the Gulf South Conference in rushing at 143.3 yards per game, while Young has caught 20 passes for 320 yards and two scores.

Nearly all of the Tiger passing game has come from the arm of quarterback Eli Cranor. The Russellville, Ark., native is 44-of-67 for 706 yards and seven touchdowns.

“The Johnson, Young, and Cranor nucleus has played very well for coach Knight.  They haven't turned the ball over and the OBU offensive line hasn't allowed a single sack.  You really have to be impressed with they way they have handled their business,” added Roberts.

The Tigers lead the Gulf South Conference in scoring defense, allowing only 11.3 points per game.  Not to be outdone, the Statesmen are second, surrendering just 13.7 points per contest. The Tigers also lead the GSC with a +8 turnover margin, and also lead the league in rushing at 197.0 yards per game.  Their rush defense is also solid, allowing a league best 73 yards per game.

The Statesmen will look to be led by a host of players who posted quality numbers in their last two outings. All-purpose back Trevar Deed had another quality game in the win over Harding, as he hauled in five catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 11 times for 77 yards and a score. Sophomore receiver Rafael Mitchell turned in the longest play of the year for the Statesmen with a 75 yard touchdown grab from Garrett DeWitt. Mitchell caught four passes for 104 yards in the win. Senior Damoyn Carroll also caught his first touchdown of the year, and running back Eric Johnson had his first touchdowns as a Statesmen, one rushing and one receiving.

The DSU defense will be anchored by seniors Lardester Hicks-Green and cornerback Byron Davenport. The duo currently has 23 and 19 tackles respectively. Hicks-Green leads the GSC with eight tackles for loss. Davenport tallied eight stops versus Harding, while Hicks-Green recorded six stops, a sack, and three tackles for loss. 

Justin Halas, a senior from Phelan, Calif., also reaped the benefits from moving back to his natural defensive end position, recording two sacks against the Bisons. 

The Tigers have won their last eight games, with a streak that dates back to a 44-24 loss on Oct. 4, 2008 to Arkansas-Monticello. The Statesmen lead the series 16-3, including a much closer than the score appeared 35-17 win in 2008.

The game will be broadcast live on the Statesmen Sports Network beginning at 6 p.m. with the South Group Insurance Locker Room Report. Matt Jones handles play-by-play with analysis by Jimmy Smith and Richard Webster. J.T. Webb provides sideline coverage.