CLEVELAND- It's back to business for the Statesmen after suffering a late heart breaking loss to Harding University this past week. The guys are looking to shake off that loss and move forward against the Wolves of West Georgia. The team will make the journey to Carrollton, Ga. in search of its fifth Gulf South Conference win at University Stadium. When the Wolves and Statesmen take the field Saturday it will mark the 24th meeting all-time between them with DSU holding the series lead at 16-7.
In last week's contest some milestones were set for the Green and White in the defeat. Senior running back
Trevar Deed passed 2,000 rushing yards for his career becoming only the 7
th player to do so in the history of Delta State football. Also already passing for 2,000 yards on the season quarterback
Micah Davis becomes the sixth signal caller in Delta State's history to accomplish that feat. Breaking the single game record for kick return yardage in a game is senior wide receiver
Maurice Moore. The Wisconsin transfer already holds the single season record for kick return yards and could possibly set the career mark in his only season with the Statesmen.
The Statesmen will certainly look to get back to their winning ways against the Wolves. When talking to the players they believe that last week's loss will only bring them together as a team. It will take a complete team effort on both sides of the ball on Saturday in order to add another number to the victory column. As evident by the Harding game, there is no easy week in the GSC and Delta State will get each team's best shot every time they take the field.
Defense is Head Coach Ron Roberts' specialty and knows that the “green shirts” need to play assignment football. Coordinator Pete Golding's unit will get their chance to put the clamps down on West Georgia who comes into Saturday's matchup averaging only 18.7 points a game. Three different quarterbacks have seen playing time during the year for the Wolves and average 276.9 yards of total offense a game. If there was a game for the defense to flex its muscle, this is the game.
Offensively the Statesmen are in a groove averaging just a tad less than 450 yards a game. Coordinator Greg Stevens has been prolific in calling plays each week dialing up the exact calls for each situation. Stevens will have to play the role of mad scientist scheming ways to combat the Wolves defensive attack who lead the GSC in sacks with 25. The offensive line, however, has been solid all year only allowing 9 sacks and will again have their hands full against West Georgia.
Although the five game winning streak was broken last week, Delta State will attempt to begin another to finish the season with a GSC championship and continue the streak into the Division II playoffs. If the Statesmen win the next three games they will ensure a piece of the GSC title. That scenario only takes place if the Green and White go to Carrolton, Ga. to take care of business. The game will kickoff at 1 p.m. central time with the radio broadcast starting at 12 p.m. central with the Shelter Insurance Locker Room Report on the Statesmen Sports Network.