CLEVELAND- Statesmen fans have been waiting for it all year and now the game is finally here. North Alabama will take the four and a half hour trip to Cleveland, Miss. for the big rivalry matchup with Delta State. The Lions are coming into this game on a two game losing streak, their first since 2004, trying to salvage their season. The green and white will look to make it three losses in a row as they face one of the toughest opponents they will see in the Gulf South Conference.
How can a Delta State and North Alabama game get any bigger? Add the fact that the Statesmen are in the hunt for the GSC Championship. Delta State needs to win against North Alabama and Ouachita Baptist to assure at worst a tie for the GSC crown with Valdosta State. Before any of that talk can start the first step starts on Thursday night against a stingy Lion defense that ranks 7th in the nation. The Statesmen will combat that defense with a potent offense that ranks 13th in the nation and just exploded for 54 points on an overmatched West Georgia team.
Last week Delta State got off the bus scoring in Carrollton, Ga. Before anyone could blink the Statesmen opened up an early 20 point lead on the Wolves in front of an astonished crowd. Sophomore stud
Brandon Lucas continued his electric play scoring three touchdowns in a game for the second time this season matching his performance against Arkansas-Monticello. His 139 yards rushing added to the total of 284 yards on the ground on the day for the green and white.
Trevar Deed ran for 70 tough yards against the Wolves to bolster the rushing attack.
The passing game showed up big against West Georgia with
Micah Davis needing only 29 passes to amass 302 yards total. Two of those passes went to big play wide receiver
L.J. Castile who took catches to the house. Davis spread the ball around like mashed potatoes at the dinner table finding tight ends and running backs and anyone else that was open. The offense had 586 total yards last Saturday, their highest total of the season, in a tremendous display. Not bad for having the ball only about 23 minutes of the game.
The offense will try to match that offensive outburst this week but understand it will be difficult. The defense will also need to play their best against the Lions who feature freakish athletes on the offensive side of the ball. North Alabama will be heated after two straight losses and would love nothing more than to take the Statesmen out of contention for the hunt for the GSC title. If there was a time for a complete team game from the Statesmen this is the week. The teams will be amped and the tension will be thicker than Delta humidity.
Thursday night's game will resemble an ancient gladiator fight with plenty of big hits and fierce competition. The last man standing will be the victor in this four hour battle. If you do not realize the magnitude of this game you probably don't have a pulse. This will be the 52nd time the two teams meet with this being one of the biggest.
The kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night from Parker Field-McCool Stadium with the radio coverage starting at 6:00 p.m. with the Shelter Insurance Locker Room Report. As is customary when Delta State takes on North Alabama the game will be on television for this installment of GSC-TV Live Game of the week. If you won't be around a TV or a radio you can stream the game online at GoStatesmen.com
