GAME NOTES: No. 2 Delta State Statesmen at No. 1 North Alabama Lions
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 2/No. 2 ranked Statesmen (6-1, 0-0 GSC) of Delta State University open Gulf South Conference play and return to the big screen, as GSC-TV Live travels to Florence, Ala., for Thursday's game against the No.1/No. 1 ranked Lions (6-0, 0-0 GSC) of the University of North Alabama. Kickoff is set for 7:06 p.m. Don Russell and former DSU head coach Rick Rhoades will have the call for GSC-TV-Live. The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network as well starting at 6 p.m. with the “DSU Alumni Association Statesmen Game Day Report.”
Delta State and North Alabama, two frontrunners for GSC title, are meeting for the 54th time in series history Thursday. The Statesmen trail the all-time series 22-30-1, including an 8-17 record at Braly Municipal Stadium. Coach Ron Roberts is 2-5 against UNA all-time, including a split last season with a 31-7 regular season loss and a 47-24 win in the 2nd round of the NCAA DII Football Playoffs.
The DSU/UNA matchup is just the second regular season contest between No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the AFCA Top 25 Poll's history. On Nov. 26, 2004, No. 1 Pittsburg State defeated No. 2 Northwest Missouri State in the only other clash.
After putting away the pesky Boll Weevils (3-3) of Arkansas-Monticello, 34-20, in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week last Thursday, the Statesmen completed its four game schedule against teams from the fledgling Great American Conference with a perfect 4-0 record. The Statesmen claimed back-to-back road wins at Arkansas Tech (47-32) and Henderson State (34-31) before closing out the schedule with victories over then-No. 25 Ouachita Baptist (45-14) and UAM.
THE BIG SCREEN: The Statesmen are playing their 20th game all-time on TV this Thursday at UNA. DSU is 14-5 on TV.
AGAINST THE TOP 25: DSU is 1-0 this season against teams ranked nationally and 11-6 against Division II ranked opponents in the Roberts era.
Delta State enters the weekend ranked No. 1 in the GSC in total offense (486.6) and total defense (290.3). The Statesmen rank first in 13 team and individual categories heading into the matchup with the Lions of North Alabama.
Harlon Hill Trophy candidate
Micah Davis continues to direct one of the nation's most prolific passing attacks. The senior from Wesson, Miss., has completed 159-of-260 passes for 2,024 yards with 15 TDs and eight INTs. His 289.1 yards passing per game ranks first in the GSC and 20th nationally. He is also tops in the GSC in total offense at 291.7 ypg. He has also rushed for six TDs this season.
Coach Ron Roberts earned his 40th career victory at Henderson State, as the Statesmen came from behind to defeat the Reddies 34-31 at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium. The Statesmen are 42-14 in Roberts' five seasons as head coach with three Gulf South Conference titles, three NCAA Division II Football Playoffs and led the Statesmen to a 2010 NCAA DII National Runner-up finish and an 11-4 overall record.
STATESMAN TO WATCH: QB - MICAH DAVIS
Micah Davis, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback, is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading Delta State (6-1) to a 34-20 victory over the University of Arkansas-Monticello last Thursday in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.
The Wesson native completed 26-of-32 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in the win over UAM. Davis accounted for 384 yards of total offense after rushing for 68 yards on 13 carries with another score. It was the fourth game this season that the Copiah-Lincoln Community College transfer topped the 350-yard total offense mark.
With his 316 yards passing versus UAM, the Harlon Hill Trophy candidate became just the fourth quarterback in Delta State University history to pass for 6,000 career yards and accumulate 6,000 total offense yards. Davis has thrown for 6,121 yards on 495-of-777 passes with 48 TDs/27 INTs, while amassing 6,417 total offense yards on 920 plays. He current ranks fourth on the career charts at DSU in both passing and total offense yards.
LAST TIME OUT: DSU 34 - UAM 20
The Delta State University Statesmen (6-1, 0-0 GSC) rolled-up 526 yards of total offense in a 34-20 victory over the University of Arkansas-Monticello (3-3) Boll Weevils last week in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.
Micah Davis completed 26-of-32 passes for 316 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the victory for the offense, while
Dominique Davenport picked off two UAM passes, returning one 39-yards for a touchdown, to pace the defense.
The DSU defense recorded 10 tackles-for-loss, six sacks and picked-off three UAM passes.
Joe Marshall totaled seven stops with a sack and 2.0 TFL.
Robert Hogan tied his career-high with two sacks and five tackles, while
Jerry Barnes recorded an interception for the second time this season.
DAVENPORT GRABS GSC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dominique Davenport earned his first-ever GSC Defensive Player of the Week award on Monday and is DSU's first defensive winner of the season after the Statesmen topped Arkansas-Monticello at home in last Thursday's GSC-TV Game of the Week, 34-20.
The senior nabbed his first two interceptions of the year, including one that he returned for a touchdown. He also added four total tackles, including two solo stops. The Baldwyn, MS native returned his first interception, 33 yards for a score and gave DSU a 28-14 edge with 1:23 left in the first half.
ROBERTS ON THE ROAD
In his four previous seasons as head coach of the Statesmen, coach Ron Roberts has amassed a 18-10 record on the road. The Statesmen were 7-2 on the road during last season's march to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game and boast a 3-1 mark this year.
ALL OF THE LIGHTS
Delta State has enjoyed great success over the years in games televised regionally and nationally. In the 19 games televised, the Statesmen are 14-5 all-time. Thursday's game at UNA is the second of two games to be shown on GSC-TV Live this season, including last week's 34-20 victory over Arkansas-Monticello at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.
NOT SO SWEET HOME ALABAMA
The Statesmen will be squaring off against a team from the state of Alabama for the 195th time in program history on Thursday at the University of North Alabama. DSU is 89-100-5 all-time against teams from Alabama.
STATESMEN AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
Thursday's game with the Lions marks the second game this season against a ranked opponent. DSU's 45-14 victory over then-No. 25 Ouachita Baptist marked the first contest against a ranked opponent this season on Saturday, Oct. 1. Delta State is 11-6 against ranked opponents since coach Ron Roberts took over the program in 2007.
STATESMEN STREAKING THROUGH OCTOBER
The Statesmen bring their five game winning streak into this week's game at North Alabama. DSU is 2-0 so far in October this season with tonight's UNA clash and one game remaining on Oct. 22 versus No. 13 Valdosta State. DSU has had limited success in the month that produced Halloween, posting a 159-162-12 record in October.
IN THE POLLS
Delta State enters this week's contest against North Alabama ranked in the nation's top 10 for an eighth consecutive week. DSU currently sits No. 2 in the D2Football.com Top 25 Media Poll and the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.
DSU EXTENDS WIN STREAK VERSUS NATURAL STATE
With last Thursday's 34-20 win over Arkansas-Monticello, Delta State claimed its sixth win in a row against teams from the state of Arkansas. The Statesmen are 102-44-3, including a 21-3 record under coach Ron Roberts, all-time against teams from the “Natural State.”
STATESMEN STAY PERFECT AGAINST THE G.A.C.
After putting away the pesky Boll Weevils (3-3) of Arkansas-Monticello, 34-20, in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week last Thursday, the Statesmen completed its four game schedule against teams from the fledgling Great American Conference with a perfect 4-0 record.
The Statesmen claimed back-to-back road wins at Arkansas Tech (47-32) and Henderson State (34-31) before closing out the schedule with victories over then-No. 25 Ouachita Baptist (45-14) and Arkansas-Monticello (34-20).
INSIDE THE SERIES: BATTLE AT BRALY - TAKE ONE
It's an annual right of the fall and this Thursday, Oct. 13 on the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week, the No. 2 ranked Statesmen of Delta State University (6-1, 0-0 GSC) open Gulf South Conference play at Braly Municipal Stadium against the No. 1 ranked Lions of the University of North Alabama (6-0, 0-0 GSC) in Florence, Ala.
The game marks the 53rd meeting all-time between the two GSC rivals. UNA leads the all-time series 30-22-1 and has an outstanding 17-8 record at Braly Municipal Stadium. Since 2006, the two Division powers have met nine times with DSU posting a 3-6 mark. In 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, UNA and DSU met during the regular and post season.
YEAR WINNER SCORE LOCATION
1960 DSU 12-0 Cleveland, Miss.
1961 UNA 6-9 Florence, Ala.
1962 DSU 26-14 Cleveland, Miss.
1963 UNA 17-20 Florence, Ala.
1964 DSU 34-14 Cleveland, Miss.
1965 DSU 16-7 Florence, Ala.
1966 DSU 32-21 Cleveland, Miss.
1967 DSU 28-18 Florence, Ala.
1968 DSU 24-16 Cleveland, Miss.
1969 DSU 16-10 Florence, Ala.
1970 DSU 26-13 Cleveland, Miss.
1971 DSU 17-10 Florence, Ala.
1972 UNA 7-17 Cleveland, Miss.
1973 UNA 18-21 Florence, Ala.
1974 DSU 26-10 Cleveland, Miss.
1975 DSU 21-9 Florence, Ala.
1976 UNA 17-20 Cleveland, Miss.
1977 UNA 21-28 Florence, Ala.
1978 UNA 7-17 Cleveland, Miss.
1979 UNA 7-30 Florence, Ala.
1980 UNA 7-45 Cleveland, Miss.
1981 UNA 7-41 Florence, Ala.
1982 UNA 19-27 Cleveland, Miss.
1983 UNA 33-53 Florence, Ala.
1984 TIE 7-7 Cleveland, Miss.
1985 UNA 3-12 Florence, Ala.
1986 DSU 27-24 Cleveland, Miss.
1987 UNA 12-24 Florence, Ala.
1988 UNA 24-27 Cleveland, Miss.
1989 UNA 12-31 Florence, Ala.
1990 UNA 13-15 Cleveland, Miss.
1991 DSU 31-6 Florence, Ala.
1992 DSU 14-10 Cleveland, Miss.
1993 UNA 17-58 Florence, Ala.
1994 UNA 0-38 Cleveland, Miss.
1995 UNA 0-30 Cleveland, Miss.
1996 UNA 17-21 Florence, Ala.
1997 UNA 10-17 Cleveland, Miss.
1998 UNA 10-17 Florence, Ala.
1999 DSU 33-7 Cleveland, Miss.
2000 DSU 42-35 Cleveland, Miss.
2001 DSU 21-3 Florence, Ala.
2004 DSU 28-21 Cleveland, Miss.
2005 UNA 21-56 Florence, Ala.
2006 UNA 10-17 Cleveland, Miss.
2006 DSU 27-10 Florence, Ala. - NCAA Playoffs
2007 UNA 17-28 Florence, Ala.
2007 UNA 17-20 Florence, Ala. - NCAA Playoffs
2008 DSU 34-28 Cleveland, Miss.
2008 UNA 34-55 Cleveland, Miss. - NCAA Playoffs
2009 UNA 24-34 Florence, Ala.
2010 UNA 7-31 Cleveland, Miss.
2010 DSU 47-24 Cleveland, Miss. - NCAA Playoffs
AROUND THE GSC
The conference slate this week includes the GSC openers for four of the league's five teams. While the nation will be watching DSU at UNA, the West Alabama (4-1) at Valdosta State (4-1) game carries just as much conference, regional and national significance. It's Homecoming in Valdosta, Ga., and kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
The University of West Georgia steps out of conference to face St. Augustine's in Carrollton, Ga. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Wolves Stadium. UWG is currently 2-2 and looking to make a run at the postseason for the first time since the early 2000's.
DAVIS TOPS 6,000 YARDS PASSING/TOTAL OFFENSE
Senior
Micah Davis became the fourth Statesman quarterback to top 6,000 career passing and 6,000 total offense yards with his 384-yard effort, 316 passing and 68 rushing, against Arkansas-Monticello last week.
The Wesson, Miss., native has completed 495-of-777 passes for 6,121 yards with 48 TDs and 27 INTs. He has also amassed 6,417 total offense yards on 920 plays. He averages 291.7 total offense and 278.2 passing yards per game in Delta State career.
Scott Eyster (2003-2006) holds the school's all-time record with 13,889 yards passing. Davis ranks fourth all-time in total offense as well, posting 6,417 career total offense yards in just 22 career games.
UNSUNG HERO SCORES FIRST CAREER TD
Senior tight end
Jacob Sesma finally got in the end zone. He's been there plenty of times in his career as a devastating blocker, but Thursday, the Walnut, Miss., native hauled in a 3-yard TD pass from
Micah Davis for his first career receiving touchdown.
Sesma has played in 37 games in his four year career as a linebacker, full back and the last two seasons as a tight end. He has graded at 90-percent or higher in every game in the last two years. The former Walnut High star has five career grabs for 35 yards and a TD. He has also recorded 29 career tackles.
DAVENPORT'S PAID THE COST TO BE THE BOSS
Dominique Davenport continues to have arguably his best season as a collegiate football player. The All-Gulf South Conference selection and All-American candidate is currently 3rd on the team lead with 32 total tackles, including two tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
The Baldwyn, Miss., native also leads the team with eight pass break ups. Davenport helped lead the way for the Statesmen defense with nine total tackles and three pass break ups at Henderson State.
Davenport used the bright lights and the big stage of GSC-TV Live to intercept two Damon Wicker passes and climb to third on the DSU career interceptions chart with 11. With four games to go in the regular season, Davenport still has the dream of breaking the career interceptions record at Delta State.
He currently ranks third on the career chart behind Monterio James (13) and Jamarcus Wiggins (12).
Davenport also topped the 150-career tackles plateau with his four stops versus UAM. In 41 games, Davenport has tallied 153 tackles with 5.0 tackles-for-loss, 11 interceptions and 31 pass break-ups.
There is no doubt that Davenport will close his career at Delta State as one of the Statesmen's all-time great corners.
DELTA STATE PICKED TO REPEAT AS GSC CHAMPIONS; STATESMEN PLACE SIX ON PRESEASON ALL-GSC TEAM
The Gulf South Conference officially released its 2011 Preseason Football Coaches Poll with the Delta State University Statesmen picked to repeat as league champions. The Statesmen received 14 votes in the annual poll followed by North Alabama (12), Valdosta State (11), West Alabama (9) and West Georgia (4). A total of six Statesmen were also named to the Preseason All-GSC Team, led by quarterback
Micah Davis and 2010 GSC Freshman Defender of the Year
Ixavier Triplett.
The Statesmen placed three players on the offensive and defensive units. Joining Davis on the offense are 2010 All-GSC Second Team center
Darrell Leopold and senior wide receiver
Chance Dennis, who caught 52 passes for 807 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, the Statesmen return nine starters including Triplett. Senior All-GSC defensive back
Dominique Davenport and defensive tackle
Joe Marshall were also named to the defensive unit.
DELTA STATE BRINGS GSC'S TOP DEFENSE TO BRALY
The Statesmen enter Thursday's game with North Alabama ranked No. 1 in the Gulf South Conference in total defense (290.3), rushing defense (94.7), and third in pass defense (195.6).
In fact, the Statesmen are the only team in the GSC with a total defense below 300-yards per game and 100-yards rushing. Delta State has also sacked opposing quarterbacks a league-high 22 times for 125 yards, while picking off a GSC-high 12 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
STATESMEN OFFENSE CLICKING IN THE NONCONFERENCE
Delta State enters week eight leading the GSC in total offense at 486.6 yards per game. In fact, the Statesmen rank in the top five in each of the major offensive statistical categories. DSU is second in the league in scoring offense (34.0) behind North Alabama (36.0), second in pass offense (298.6) and second in rush offense (188.0) to West Alabama's league leading 229.8 yards per game.
IN THE GREEN ZONE
Red means stop and Green means go, so naturally one would want to put the pedal to the metal when inside the opposition's 20-yard line. The Statesmen have been outstanding this season inside the “Green Zone.” DSU is 26-of-36 (72.2%) inside the Green Zone with 20 TDs and six FGs.
The Statesmen have converted an amazing 24-of-30 trips inside the Green Zone since week one, including eight of their last nine.
DAVIS PACING GSC QBs; RANKS AMONG NCAA ELITE
Senior quarterback
Micah Davis continues to lead the GSC in most statistical categories. The Wesson, Miss. native has completed 159-of-260 passes for 2,024 yards with 15 TDs and eight INTs. His 289.1 yards per game are No. 1 in the GSC. He also ranks first in total offense at 304.0 yards per game.
The former Copiah-Lincoln CC transfer tops the GSC charts in passing yardage (2,024), completions (159), attempts (260) and TDs (15).
Davis' numbers also have him in some elite company nationally. He currently ranks 8th in total offense in NCAA DII and 36th in QB Efficiency (139.4). His 289.1 yards passing per game stands 7th, while his 2,024 yards passing are 4th, while West Virginia Wesleyan's Adam Nuegebauer, who has thrown for 2,217 yards.
DENNIS CLIMBS TO 12th ON CAREER RECEPTIONS CHART
Chance Dennis, a Houston, Texas native and an All-American candidate, is making the most of his senior season, leading the Statesmen with a GSC-high 41 receptions for 538 yards and five TDs.
In 21 career games, Dennis has grabbed 93 passes for 1,345 yards and nine touchdowns. His four receptions versus Arkansas-Monticello moved him up three spots to 12th on the DSU career receptions chart.
Dennis ranks in the top 50 in the nation in receptions per game (38th) and receiving yards (18th).
HOGAN, MAYERS & HOSKINS WREAKING HAVOC ON QBs
Senior defensive tackles
Robbie Mayers and
Mark Hoskins, and senior linebacker
Robert Hogan are wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks this season. The trio ranks No. 2-4 in the Gulf South Conference in sacks.
Hogan, a Lexington, Miss., native, is tied for the GSC lead with four sacks this season. Mayers, a Laurel, Miss., native, is third with 3.5 sacks, while Louisville, Mississippi's Hoskins is fourth with 3.0 sacks.
The Statesmen as a defensive unit are No. 1 in the GSC with 22 sacks for 125 yards.
BALL HAWKS
The Statesmen secondary has been outstanding at times this season, ranking first in the GSC in interceptions (12) and third in pass defense (195.6 ypg). Senior corners Dominqiue Davenport and
Dwight Tillman, and safety
Jerry Barnes lead DSU with two INTs. Fellow defensive backs
C.J. Lester and Montavious Hill have one each. DSU linebackers and defensive tackles account for four additional INTs.
TARGETS A PLENTY
Senior quarterback
Micah Davis has to be one of the luckiest signal-callers in the country, as the Wesson native has connected with 17 different receivers this season. Led by
Chance Dennis (41),
Tim Smith (24) and
DeJarrius Adams (18), the Statesmen have three receivers ranked in the GSC top 10 in receptions per game.
100 TACKLES CLUB
The vaunted Statesmen “Green Shirts” defense features three players in the 100 career tackles club. Senior corner
Dominique Davenport leads the trifecta with 153 career stops in 41 games, while senior linebacker
Robert Hogan has tallied 142 in 42 starts.
Sophomore standout
Ixavier Triplett has 139 in just 22 games and is on pace to challenge for the Delta State career record.
SIX AND THREE
The Statesmen defense recorded a season-high 6.0 sacks and tied the team high with three INTs in Delta State's 34-20 victory over Arkansas-Monticello. DSU also recorded three INTs at Henderson State and had a previous high of 5.0 sacks at Fort Valley State.
PICK-SIX, YES PLEASE
The Statesmen secondary has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season, including
Dominique Davenport's 39-yard INT return last week in DSU's 34-20 victory over UAM.
C.J. Lester returned an INT for a score a week earlier in DSU's 45-14 Pig Pickin' victory over Ouachita Baptist.
GAMES PLAYED MOUNTING UP
The Statesmen feature a veteran-laden ball club with 20 players seeing action in at-least 20 games. Senior linebacker
Robert Hogan (42), running back
Rafael Mitchell (41) and corner
Dominique Davenport (41) lead the way with the most games played. The 30+ Club is below.
PLAYER/GAMES
Robert Hogan - 42
Dominique Davenport - 41
Rafael Mitchell - 41
Jacob Sesma - 37
Kendall Hunter - 34
Matt Dean - 33
150 MARKS THE SPOT
Senior running back
Brandon Lucas has been racking up yards so far this season. Through seven games, Lucas has reached 150 all-purpose yards in all, but one game he has played. Lucas had 99 all-purpose yards against Northwestern State, recorded 155 yards at Henderson State, and had a season high 299 yards the week before against Arkansas Tech.Lucas ranks No. 1 in the GSC in all-purpose yards, averaging 157.5 yards per game. He also ranks fifth in rushing (53.5).
LUCAS JOINS 1,000-YARD CLUB
Junior running back
Brandon Lucas joined the 1,000-yard career rushing club with 71 yards on the ground at Fort Valley State. In 21 career games, the Covington, Ga., native has rushed for 1,164 yards on 180 carries with 12 touchdowns. He currently ranks 17th all-time at Delta State in career rushing yardage.
DEAN CLIMBS TO SECOND ON CAREER PAT CHART
Matt Dean, a senior from Cleveland, connected on four point-after-attempts in DSU's 34-20 victory over Arkansas-Monticello last week. The four PATs give the senior 85 for his career and moved him past Ernie Wells (84/1966-69) into second place on the career charts. Trey Crum (2003-2004) holds the school record with 110.
LUCAS TOP 2,000 ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
Junior running back
Brandon Lucas has topped the 2,000 career all-purpose yards mark in just 21 career games. The Covington, Ga., native has amassed 2,339 career all-purpose yards in that brief time span. The Santa Rosa JC transfer has gotten to that number through a myriad of ways. A breakdown on Lucas' achievements are below.
STAT/YARDS
Rushing - 1,164
Receiving - 186
Punt Returns - 403
Kick Returns - 586
DEAN CLIMBS TO 11th ON CAREER SCORING CHARTS
Senior kicker
Matt Dean has connected on 19 field goals and 85 extra points in his career, good enough for 142 points scored. The Cleveland native has cracked the career scoring chart, ranking 11th in school history.
INSIDE PARKER FIELD-McCOOL STADIUM
Over the years, Parker Field-McCool Stadium has been a very successful place for the Statesmen. In its 41 year history, the Statesmen are 122-71-7, while DSU boasts an all-time record of 240-121-15. In coach Roberts' tenure, DSU has posted a 22-3 record at Parker-McCool.
STATESMEN IN SEASON OPENERS
Delta State improved to 41-34-4 record in season openers with its 28-21 overtime victory against Elizabeth City State. Trailing 21-7, the Statesmen rallied for 21 unanswered points en route to the win.
