CLEVELAND-Another week and the Statesmen record another win and are now on a five game winning streak with no intentions of stopping anytime soon. Week 7 has the Green and White trying to stay hot against the Bisons of Harding University. It's also that time of the year for Homecoming which will add plenty of excitement to the contest. The team will look to put on a show with many alumni and former Statesmen in attendance, including the 2000 Delta State National Championship football team.
The Statesmen have never lost to the Bisons out of Searcy, Ark. owning an all-time series advantage at 10-0-1. With this being most likely the last time these two teams will meet due to the exodus of the Arkansas schools from the Gulf South Conference next season, the Statesmen would like to keep that record unblemished. Already going 2-0 against the schools out of Arkansas this season Delta State will look to go undefeated against the state on their way out of the conference with two more games remaining on the schedule.
The “Green Machine” is currently one of two undefeated teams in the Gulf South Conference with a
record of 4-0. North Alabama is the only other remaining undefeated squad in GSC play. With the recent surge of success Delta State has climbed to No. 9 in the D2Football.com poll and currently sits at No. 12 in the American Football Coaches Association poll. The Statesmen certainly are not sneaking up on any opponent and will receive every team's best shot when they take the field.
The last time Delta State took the field, which seems like so long ago, junior running back
Brandon Lucas emerged as yet another weapon for offensive coordinator Greg Stevens. Lucas was electric finding the end zone three times, two on the ground and one through the air, for key scores against Arkansas-Monticello. Quarterback
Micah Davis continues to lead the unit racking up 274 yards with 2 scores and late in the game guiding a 99 yard drive for the go-ahead touchdown. The offense for the Statesmen resembles a Swiss Army Knife with all the tools that it features, it's unstoppable.
The defense for the Statesmen really turned up their effort during the second half of the Arkansas-Monticello game. For the game Delta State allowed a season low 242 yards. It was a fiery half time speech by head coach Ron Roberts that sparked the intensity from the “Green Shirts.” Harding only averages 23.8 points per game and features an option running game that the Statesmen are ready for as they saw Monticello run a similar attack. It will take discipline assignment football to stop the Bisons rushing game.
Harding's offense leads the conference in time of possession holding the ball over 34 minutes a game yet only scores 23.8 points per game. The defensive line for the Statesmen will play a big role in stopping the triple option game. Senior and hometown hero
Matt Melton will lead the charge with the rest of the line to keep the Bisons from running all over the field.
Along with Homecoming activities the seniors will be recognized for their service and dedication to Delta State over their time at the university. A total of 14 seniors will take Parker Field-McCool Stadium for one of the last times when the game kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday. That group has amassed a record of 30-10 through the last four years including two GSC championships. They will look to add more wins and another GSC title to that total as the season continues. The game can be heard on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 3 p.m. with the Shelter Insurance Locker Room Report along with a live stream of the game seen on GoStatesmen.com.
