GAME NOTES: Delta State vs. Minnesota-Duluth - NCAA National Championship (12.18.10)
Complete Weekly Release in PDF

CLEVELAND – It's been 10 years since Delta State University hoisted the 2000 NCAA Division II National Championship trophy after defeating Bloomsburg 63-34 in record-setting fashion. For the 70 Statesmen players and coaches making the trip to Florence, Ala., on Wednesday, the dream of playing for a national championship becomes a reality on Saturday, as the Green and White square off with the top-ranked Bulldogs (14-0) of the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the title at Braly Municipal Stadium. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

“When you start playing youth league football you dream of playing for a national championship,” DSU head coach Ron Roberts stated. “Saturday, our guys get to see all their hard work, effort and dedication come to fruition in the biggest game of their careers. It's a great day to be a Statesman!”

Saturday's contest features two teams with championship pasts that have never met before on the gridiron or any other sport for that matter. The Bulldogs defeated Northwest Missouri State 21-14 to claim the 2008 national title and are the prohibitive favorite as the nation's only undefeated, top-ranked program still standing. Regardless of the outcome Saturday, the victor will join an elite group of nine universities with multiple Division II titles.

“UMD is an excellent football team and easily the best team we will have faced all year,” added Roberts. “On tape, they execute every phase of the game very well and they know what it's like to overcome adversity having lost some key players this season. We've lost guys too and the matchups are favorable for a classic showdown Saturday between a big-play, quick strike offense and an old school rushing attack that also features one of the nation's best defenses.”

Delta State advanced to the title game by shutting down Shepherd's high-flying offense in a 29-17 waterlogged victory at Parker Field-McCool Stadium in the NCAA Semifinals. Defensively, the Statesmen held SU to 69 yards rushing on 34 attempts. For the Statesmen offense, Micah Davis threw three touchdown passes and Trevar Deed rushed for 104 yards while throwing his first touchdown pass to help seal the victory.

Minnesota-Duluth rushed 56 times for 226 yards and got a pair of second-half touchdowns from senior running back Brian Hanson and sophomore quarterback Chase Vogler while holding the defending NCAA II champion Northwest Missouri State to their second lowest scoring output of the season.

The game features two of Division II's top running backs in DSU's Trevar Deed and UMD's Brad Foss. Deed leads the Statesmen with 1,101 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, while hauling in 39 passes for 294 yards and three scores. Foss paced UMD's NCAA fifth-ranked ground game with 1,089 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Statesmen, who rank 11th in the NCAA in total offense with 460.6 yards and 32.9 points per game, will face its second top-ranked defense in the postseason on Saturday. The Bulldogs lead the NCAA in scoring defense allowing 12.4 points per game.

“We will have our hands full on Saturday, but as we've said all year, it's not about them, it's about us,” Roberts concluded.

While the game will be televised nationally, the Statesmen Sports Network will offer wall-to-wall coverage starting Friday evening with a special “Hey Coach – Championship Edition” live from the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa. The show will run from 6-7 p.m. and be a featured part of the DSU Alumni Association's Championship Week activities. The Alumni Association is hosting a social from 5-7:30 p.m. at the same location.

SSN will kickoff game day coverage at 9 a.m. with the “Statesmen Game Day Locker Room Report” live from Braly Municipal Stadium. Matt Jones, Jimmy Smith and J.T. Webb will have the call.

STATESMAN TO WATCH
Trevar Deed's exploits on the football field are legendary at Delta State University and in the Gulf South Conference. With the green-and-white in the NCAA Division II National Championship, the Phoenix, Ariz., native is this week's “Statesman to Watch.”

The two-time All-American and three-time All-Gulf South Conference First Team selection will end his career at DSU as one of the all-time greats in DII football history. He is the first 5,000-yard runner/receiver in school history with 5,117 all-purpose yards and he stands just 22 yards away from becoming the first 2,000-rusher/2,000-receiver in league history.

In 37 games, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back has amassed 2,640 yards rushing and 1,978 yards receiving on 184 receptions. He holds the school record for all-purpose yardage, career scoring (264 points), career touchdowns (44) and ranks fifth in career rushing and second in career receptions. In his first two years at DSU, Deed was primarily used as a wide receiver, making his rushing successes all the more memorable.

STATESMEN QUICK HITTERS
Senior running back Trevar Deed enters Saturday's title game needing just 22 yards receiving to become the first 2,000-yard rusher and 2,000-yard receiver in Gulf South Conference history. The Phoenix, Ariz., native has rushed for 2,640 yards and caught 1,978 yards on 184 receptions. In 37 career games, Deed has scored 44 career touchdowns and ranks as DSU's all-time scoring leader with 264 points. The three-time All-GSC pick has rushed for 1,101 yards and 11 touchdowns, while hauling in 39 passes for 294 yards and three scores.

Micah Davis is rewriting the Statesmen record book in his first season as a starting quarterback. The Wesson native has completed a school-record 312 passes on 482 attempts for 3,854 yards with 31 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He has already broken the regular season record for completion percentage (64.7) and total offense (4,026), but stands a mere 72 yards away from the single season yardage mark of 3,926.

Senior All-GSC nitro back Garrett Williams has had a season to remember, totaling 115 tackles and tying the school-record for interceptions in a season with eight. The Leland native iced DSU's win over Shepherd last Saturday with two fourth quarter interceptions.

The Statesmen feature one of the nation's deepest receiving corps with five players boasting 30-plus grabs on the season and 16 different receivers making grabs on the year. L.J. Castile leads the group with 60 receptions for 820 yards and 12 touchdowns. Maurice Moore (49-564-2), Chance Dennis (47-744-4), Trevar Deed (39-294-3) and Bill Franks (34-351-2) round out the record-setting quintuplet.

STATESMEN MAKING SECOND NATIONAL TITLE GAME APPEARANCE
Delta State secured its second appearance in the NCAA DII National Championship Game with a 29-17 victory over Shepherd University in the National Semifinals. DSU defeated Bloomsburg 63-34 to claim the 2000 title. In that game, DSU established new championship records for rushing yards, total offense and points scored.

DELTA STATE AND MINNESOTA-DULUTH MEETING FOR FIRST TIME
Delta State and Minnesota-Duluth will be meeting for the first time on the football field this Saturday. In fact, the two schools have never met on the field of play in any sport.

STATESMEN HAVE ENJOYED POSTSEASON SUCCESS
Delta State boasts a 12-4 record all-time in NCAA postseason play, including a 5-2 record under coach Ron Roberts. A breakdown of DSU's postseason games is included in the PDF.

DSU VERSUS THE NSIC IN POSTSEASON PLAY
The Statesmen are facing a team from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for the first time in school history, as DSU faces NSIC champion Minnesota-Duluth (14-0) this Saturday for the NCAA DII Football National Championship.

DELTA STATE IS FIRST UNRANKED TEAM TO REACH THE TITLE GAME
With this 2010 Division II Football Championship Game appearance, Delta State becomes the first unranked team to reach the title game. The Statesmen were 8-3 at the end of the regular season and received votes but we not nationally ranked. DSU knocked off unranked North Alabama, fifth ranked Albany State and 18th ranked Shepherd in the playoffs.

DSU IS RARE THREE LOSS TEAM IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Delta State will be just the third team to ever reach the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game with three losses. The Statesmen finished the regular season at 8-3 but have reeled off three straight playoff wins. In 1996 Northern Colorado became the first school to ever reach the title game with three losses. The Bears were 11-3 entering the title game and defeated Carson-Newan to win a National Championship. In 2005, Northwest Missouri State also had an 11-3 record entering the Championship Game but the Bearcats lost to Grand Valley State.

GSC HAS THE MOST DIVISION II FOOTBALL TITLES
The Gulf South Conference has won the most NCAA Division II Football National Championships of any league with nine. The GSC has had five different schools win those titles. Troy State won two in 1984 and 1987, followed by Jacksonville State in 1992. North Alabama won three straight in 1993, 1994 and 1995 and Delta State won it in 2000. Valdosta State then followed with titles in 2004 and 2007. Another former GSC member, Mississippi College, won the 1989 championship but was later stripped of it by the NCAA. Ironically the Choctaws defeated another GSC member, Jacksonville State, in that title game.

DELTA STATE IN PLAYOFFS UNDER FOURTH DIFFERENT HEAD COACH
Ron Roberts, who has guided the Statesmen to a 5-2 postseason record, is the fourth different head coach to take a Delta State team to the playoffs. That makes the Statesmen one of just five Division II programs to have reached the playoffs under four different coaches, and those programs are the elite in Division II history. Former Division II member North Dakota State made its 17 appearances under five different head coaches. North Alabama, Grand Valley State, North Dakota and Delta State have all been to the playoffs under four different head coaches.

DSU AND UMD PLAYOFF RECORDS AMONG THE BEST
In Delta State's six all-time playoff appearances, the Statesmen have a 12-4 record for a 75.0 winning percentage. In its five appearances, Minnesota-Duluth is 8-3 for a 72.7 winning percentage. Both are among the best by any schools in Division II playoff history.

DSU LOVES DECEMBER
The Statesmen love the month of December, posting an 8-1 record all-time. DSU is 5-1 all-time in the NCAA playoffs in Santa's favorite month.

DSU LOOKING TO REPEAT 2000 FEAT
On the 10th anniversary of DSU's first NCAA national title, Coach Ron Roberts and the Statesmen hope to repeat the success the 2000 Statesmen were able to accomplish. DSU reeled off four straight victories to claim the 2000 National title. The Statesmen defeated Bloomsburg 63-34 in the NCAA Championship game at Braly Municipal Stadium.

WILLIAMS SETS POSTSEASON RECORD WITH TWO INTs
Garrett Williams tied the single season record for interceptions (2) and established a new record for postseason play with his two picks of Shepherd's Kevin Clancy last Saturday in DSU's 29-17 win. The senior from Leland tied the single season record held by former Statesmen All-American Monterio James (8).

CASTILE HAULS IN HISTORY
With his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame, senior wide receiver L.J. Castile tied the school record for touchdown receptions in a playoff game with two versus Shepherd. The Houston transfer finished the game with five receptions for 64 yards and a pair of scores that proved to be two of the biggest plays in DSU's win. With 2:46 left in the game, Castile's leaping catch over the helmet of a Shepherd defensive back put the game away for the green-and-white 29-17.

OLLIE MAKES MOST OUT OF GRAB
Carlton Ollie's presence on the football field was felt throughout the Parker Field-McCool Stadium faithful, as the junior transfer made the most out of his one reception, a 64-yard touchdown over the middle in the third quarter. The scoring strike put DSU up 23-14 and the Statesmen held on for the 29-17 win.

STATESMEN HAVE ENJOYED POSTSEASON SUCCESS
Delta State boasts a 12-4 record all-time in NCAA postseason play, including a 5-2 record under coach Ron Roberts. A breakdown of DSU's postseason games is below. A complete postseason game listing is available in the PDF version.

DSU TRYING TO JOIN ELITE GROUP
The Statesmen are attempting to become the fourth Gulf South Conference school to win multiple national championships in football. North Alabama leads the pack with three, Valdosta State has two, after winning the title in 2007 and former GSC member Troy won two before making the move to Division I.

MULTIPLE DII CHAMPIONSHIPS
North Dakota State (5) 1983,1985,1986,1988, 1990
Grand Valley State (4) 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
NW Missouri St (3) 1998, 1999, 2009
North Alabama (3) 1993, 1994, 1995
Southwest Texas St. (2) 1981, 1982
Troy State (2) 1984, 1987
Northern Colorado (2) 1996, 1997
Valdosta State (2) 2004, 2007

STATESMEN DEFENSE HOLDS RAMS IN CHECK
Delta State's “Green Shirts” defense has made the most of its opportunities in the postseason and in the 29-17 win over Shepherd, the Statesmen held the Rams to 281 yards, 280 below their season average of 460.3 yards per game. DSU allowed the Rams a mere 69 yards rushing and 212 yards passing.

DELTA STATE DEFENSE DIFFERENT UNIT IN POSTSEASON
It's not hard to see that the Statesmen defense is playing with a new vigor in the postseason, allowing 16 points and 287.1 yards per game. The numbers are in sharp contrast to the regular season when DSU allowed 26.4 points and 373.7 yards per game. The Statesmen have also forced eight turnovers with four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

STAT	REGULAR	POSTSEASON
Scoring Defense	29.2	16.0
Total Defense	397.3	287.3
Pass Defense	220.6	207.7
Rush Defense	176.6	79.7
Penalties	12-116	5-50.7

GSC TEAMS IN THE NCAA PLAYOFFS
The Gulf South Conference has enjoyed greater success in NCAA Championships than any other conference in NCAA Division II. The GSC holds an impressive 91-50 record all-time in the NCAA DII football playoffs with nine championships won. The GSC holds the playoff record for most schools having won a championship (5).

The GSC also holds playoff records for:
Championships 9
Most different schools winning title 5
Most different schools making playoffs 12
Most playoff appearances by members 65
Most NCAA playoff victories 91
Most NCAA playoff games played 141

GSC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
The Gulf South Conference has, traditionally, been one of the more dominant conferences in NCAA Division II football. In fact, no other conference boasts more championships or playoff wins than the GSC. Since 1984, the GSC has won nine national titles.
1984 Troy State
1987 Troy State
1989 Miss. College*
1992 Jacksonville State
1993 North Alabama
1994 North Alabama
1995 North Alabama
2000 DELTA STATE
2004 Valdosta State
2007 Valdosta State
* Participation later vacated by NCAA

DELTA STATE TAKES THIRD NCAA REGION TITLE
The Statesmen used a balanced offensive attack to defeat Albany State 28-7, giving the green-and-white its third NCAA Regional championship since 2000. DSU's first NCAA Regional title came in 2000 when the Statesmen defeated Catawba College 20-14 in Salisbury, N.C., and the second was delivered in 2006 with a 27-10 win at North Alabama in 2006.

DSU DEFENSE TIES RECORD FOR FEWEST POINTS ALLOWED
Facing the “Gold Rush” offense of Albany State, DSU's “Green Shirts” defense knew it would be one of the toughest tests of the season. After allowing the Golden Rams to score on their opening possession, the Statesmen stoned the Rams on their next 13 possessions, while forcing six turnovers. The seven points allowed to the Golden Rams also tied the DSU record for fewest points allowed in an NCAA playoff game. DSU allowed Shaw University a mere seven points in a 45-7 First Round win in 2007.

WE'RE NOT THE FIGHTING OKRA
Despite some rowdy student objections, athletic programs at Delta State University do not use the student-chosen, sub-mascot, Fighting Okra. The Fighting Okra, the most vicious of all vegetables, was created by a band of students at DSU in the late 1980's and early 1990's. While some on campus embrace the scary veggie, DSU Athletics does not. Our programs have always been, and will continue to be, the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen. If you have a problem with that, take it up with the vegetable in the corner with boxing gloves. He understands...

DAVIS SHATTERS TOTAL OFFENSE MARK; NEARING PASSING MARK
Records are made to be broken and Micah Davis appears to be content on being the man doing all the breaking. In Saturday's 29-17 win over Shepherd, Davis added the single-season total offense record to his list of accomplishments this season. By passing for 193 yards, the Wesson native became the first Statesmen in history to amass 4,000 total offense yards with 4,026, the fifth highest total in GSC history.

He stands just 72 yards away from the single season passing yards mark as well. Former All-American and GSC career passing leader Scott Eyster set both marks during DSU's run to the semifinals in 2006, passing for 3,926 yards, while accounting for 3,979 yards of total offense. Davis is sitting on 3,854 yards passing, the seventh highest total in GSC history.

5,000 YARD MAN
Trevar Deed continues to find ways to wow the opposition. In last Saturday's 29-17 NCAA semifinal victory over Shepherd, the Phoenix, Ariz., native rushed for 104 yards on 20 carries and completed his first career pass for a touchdown to Bill Franks.

Entering the NCAA National Championship Game, the senior running back has amassed 5,117 all-purpose yards, including 2,640 rushing yards and 1,978 receiving yards. He ranks No. 1 all-time at DSU in all-purpose yards and is trying to become the first 2,000 rush/2,000 receiving student-athlete in GSC history, needing 22 receiving yards to top the mark.

DEED TOPS 1,000 YARDS RUSHING
With his 104 yards rushing last Saturday, Trevar Deed topped 1,000 yards rushing on the season with 1,101. He became the first Statesman to the 1,000 yard plateau since David Spates in 2003, who rushed for 1,125 yards. Deed, who rushed for 931 yards a year ago, accomplished the feat on 203 carries with 11 touchdowns.

DEED ADDS SCORING MARK TO LONG LIST OF RECORDS
With his name firmly etched in the annals of all-time greats at Delta State, Trevar Deed took sole possession of the school career scoring record with his two touchdown performance in DSU's 28-7 win at Albany State in the Super Regional II final. Deed eclipsed the record held by former All-American Rico McDonald (1999-2001), who scored 252 points in his storied career. In 37 games, Deed has scored 44 career touchdowns to account for 264 career points.

DSU CAREER SCORING LEADERS
264 Trevar Deed, 2008-Present
252 Rico McDonald, 1999-2001
251 Josh Bright, 1998-2001

DAVIS GRABS COMPLETIONS RECORD; APPROACHING OTHERS
Junior quarterback Micah Davis has quietly put together one of the greatest seasons in Statesmen football history. In Saturday's 29-17 win over Shepherd, Davis became DSU's single-season completions leader with 312. The Wesson native completed 14 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns in the win. His 312 completions broke the former record of 298 set by Scott Eyster in 2006.

Through 14 games, the Wesson native has completed 312-of-482 passes for 3,854 yards with 31 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. His totals have steadily approached two additional single-season marks, including attempts (489) and passing yards (3,926).

DAVIS BREAKS SINGLE-SEASON COMPLETION PERCENTAGE
With a steady hand and cool demeanor, Micah Davis has vaulted to the top of the single-season record book for completion percentage at 64.7 percent. The Wesson native has completed 312-of-482 passes this season to eclipse the former record of 62.0 percent set by Garrett DeWitt during the 2008 campaign.

DAVIS BECOMES THIRD STATESMEN TO THROW FOR 3,000 YARDS
With his 438-yard, four touchdown performance at Lambuth (11.13), junior quarterback Micah Davis became just the third Statesman in history to pass for 3,000 yards in a season. His 3,854 yards ranks second on the single season chart behind Scott Eyster's 3,926 yards in 2006.

DEED BECOMES RUSHING TD LEADER
Senior All-American Trevar Deed closed the regular season at Lambuth with another record in the books for the Phoenix, Ariz., native. In his three year career, Deed has rushed for 29 career touchdowns, 44 total, breaking the record of 25 held by former Statesmen Josh Bright (1998-2001) and Londale Bankston (1985-88).

STATESMEN OFFENSE AMONG NATION'S BEST
First-year offensive coordinator Greg Stevens has built the Statesmen into one of the nation's top offensive units this season. Through 14 games, DSU is averaging 460.6 yards per game. Delta State averages 280.2 yards passing and 180.4 yards rushing per game. The Statesmen are also third in the GSC in scoring offense (32.9 ppg).

22-YARDS AWAY, DEED CLOSING IN ON 2,000/2,000 CLUB
Senior running back Trevar Deed is on the verge of becoming the first player in GSC history to amass 2,000 yards rushing and 2,000 yards receiving in his career. The Phoenix, Ariz., native has rushed for 2,640 yards and grabbed 1,978 receiving yards in just 37 career games. He has also scored 44 career touchdowns to become DSU's career leader.

1,000 THREE TIMES OVER
With one of the nation's most prolific offenses, the Statesmen feature three players with over 1,000 all-purpose yards this season. Maurice Moore's GSC-leading 1,762 yards headlines the list of 1,000 yard men.

Trevar Deed (1,395), who is holds the school's career all-purpose yardage record with 5,117 yards, and Brandon Lucas (1,269) have both eclipsed the 1,000 yard barrier.

DENNIS BLISTERING POSTSEASON SECONDARIES
Junior transfer Chance Dennis has brought a steady calm and a smooth pair of hands to the Statesmen this season. The former Stephen F. Austin star has caught 47 passes for 744 yards and four touchdowns this year.

In Saturday's win over Shepherd, the Houston, Texas native only had two catches for 34 yards, but both played key roles in two DSU scoring drives. Through three postseason games, Dennis has 12 grabs for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

CASTILE KNOWS HIS ROLE
University of Houston transfer wide receiver L.J. Castile leads the team with 60 receptions to lead the Statesmen. His 820 yards and 12 touchdowns are also tops among the Statesmen receivers.

The LaMarque, Texas native hauled in five passes for 64 yards and a pair of scores to lead the green-and-white past Shepherd 29-17 in the NCAA semifinal.

THREE-HEADED SCORING MONSTER
When it comes to scoring touchdowns, the Statesmen feature a three-headed monster in running backs Trevar Deed and Brandon Lucas, and wide receiver L.J. Castile. Deed leads the GSC lead with 14 touchdowns, while Castile ranks second with 12 and Lucas third with 11 scores. The trio has helped DSU to the third best scoring average in the league this season at 32.9 points per game.

OFFENSE FINISHES REGULAR SEASON NO. 1 IN GSC
After posting a school-record 711 yards of total offense in a driving rain storm at Lambuth (11.13), the Statesmen leapt over Henderson State and West Alabama to claim the lead in the final regular season stats for total offense. DSU finished the regular season averaging 475.0 yards per game, bettering HSU (462.6) and UWA (451.9).

STATESMEN BLISTER TOTAL OFFENSE MARK
In DSU's 41-17 win at Lambuth, the Statesmen offense rolled-up a school record 711 yards of total offense at Trinity Christian Stadium. DSU got to the number by rushing for 268 yards and passing for 443 more. The 711 yards snaps the six-year old record of 674 yards set at Valdosta State in 2004 at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

TURNOVER CENTRAL
The Statesmen “Green Shirts” defense have made the most of its opportunities in the postseason, forcing 10 turnovers in three games. DSU started it off against UNA with picking off two Lee Chapple passes in the 47-24 win. At Albany State, the Statesmen forced six turnovers, including a season-high four fumble recoveries in the 28-7 NCAA Quarterfinals win and last Saturday, DSU added two more interceptions to the list on Garrett Williams' picks of Shepherd's Kevin Clancy.

WILLIAMS TOPS CENTURY MARK
In his senior season, Garrett Williams has turned into one of the top defensive backs in the GSC. The Leland native finished the regular season ranked second in the league with 115 tackles. The last time a Delta State player reached 100 tackles in a year happened in 2009 when Lardester Hicks-Green tallied 100 en route to the GSC career tackles record.

Williams topped the century tackle mark against Ouachita Baptist with a 13 tackle performance. He added two stops in the rain at Lambuth on Nov. 13 to get to 104 tackles on the season.

X-MAN TURNS UP HEAT ON RAMS
Redshirt freshman All-GSC linebacker Xavier Triplett has had a tremendous breakout season and in Saturday's win over Shepherd he turned in one of his best performances of the year with nine tackles, one tackle-for-loss and a pass break-up.

The Hillsboro native became the first linebacker ever chosen Defensive Freshman of the Year and through 14 games, Triplett has recorded 90 tackles with 11.0 tackles-for-loss, seven pass break-ups and four quarterback hurries.

STATESMEN DEFENSE FACING NATION'S TOP RUSHING ATTACK
DSU will be facing the nation's fourth ranked rushing offense this week versus Minnesota-Duluth. The Bulldogs average 278.4 yards per game on the ground, led by Brad Foss' 1,089 yards and 11 touchdowns.

DELTA STATE TO FACE SECOND NO. 1 RATED DEFENSE
The Statesmen will square off Saturday against Minnesota-Duluth's No. 1 rated scoring defense. The Bulldogs allow just 12.4 points per game. DSU tussled with Albany State, who ranked No. 1 in defense, during the quarterfinals, taking away a 28-7 victory.

RUSH DEFENSE STELLAR IN POSTSEASON
After surrendering a GSC high 176.6 rushing yards per game in the regular season, Delta State's run defense has nothing short of spectacular in the postseason. In three games, the Statesmen are allowing just 79.7 yards on the ground per game with only two rushing touchdowns.

MARSHALL SACKS RAMS
Delta State junior defensive end Joe Marshall proved to be a one man wrecking crew in the 29-17 win over Shepherd, sacking Rams quarterback Kevin Clancy two times for minus 20 yards and totaled three tackles-for-loss.

FORCING THE ISSUE: 37 & COUNTING
The defense for the Statesmen has made it a habit of causing turnovers this season. Delta State has 37 takeaways on the year with 22 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries. DSU forced six turnovers at Albany State in the quarterfinal in Albany, Ga., and added two interceptions to the total versus Shepherd.

50 TACKLE CLUB
Led by All-GSC First Team safety Garrett Williams' 115 tackles, the Statesmen feature eight players with 50-plus tackles and nine more within striking distance of joining the elite club. Joining Williams with 50-plus this season are Xavier Triplett (90), Hollan Fiu (59), Robert Hogan (58), Jerry Barnes (54), Joe Marshall (53), Brett Butler (53) and Preston Felder (50).

MARSHALL, HOSKINS AND WILLIAMS TOUGH ACT TO HANDLE
Juniors Joe Marshall, Mark Hoskins and David Williams aren't just big, they're big-time on the Statesmen defensive line. The trio has combined for 140 tackles, 23 tackles-for-loss and 9.5 sacks.

STATESMEN SLASHING THE PENALTIES
After leading the GSC and NCAA DII during the regular season in penalties, the Statesmen have drastically cut the number of hankies hitting the turf in the postseason. Averaging 12.6 flags and 116.0 yards per game in penalties during the regular season, DSU is sporting a 5.6 flags per game postseason average for 50.7 yards in penalties.

MOORE BREAKS GSC RETURNS & YARDS RECORD
Kick return specialist Maurice Moore has broken the GSC return record held by former UWA Tiger Terry Allen with 52 returns this season. Moore has 52 kickoff returns for 1,094 yards in 14 games this season, breaking the yards record as well. The University of Wisconsin transfer had one return for 35 yards versus the Rams to eclipse the record.

CALDWELL PINNING OPPOSITION DEEP
His punts have been timely and exceptional this season. Senior punter Tyler Caldwell has been a huge special teams weapon this season, allowing the green-and-white to lead the GSC in net punting. Individually, Caldwell has set a new record for punting average in a season at 43.8 yards per punt, breaking the mark set by Sam Piazza (43.4) in 1976. It's also the second highest total in GSC history for a season. Caldwell has punted 36 times for 1,578 yards with 10 kicks over 50 yards and five inside the 20.

LUCAS CLIMBS INTO PUNT RETURN TOP 10
Covington, Ga., native and Second Team All-GSC running back Brandon Lucas has made a big impact on the field this season as a punt returner. In 14 games, the speedster has returned 29 punts for 332 yards, cracking into the single-season and career top five lists for return yardage.