GAME NOTES: No. 10 Valdosta State at No. 1 Delta State (Oct. 22, 2011)
Complete Weekly Release with Stats in PDF


The Statesmen and Blazers are meeting for the 31st time in series history.  Delta State leads the all-time series 17-12-1, including five straight over VSU.  Thursday's matchup will mark the second time that DSU and VSU have met with the Statesmen ranked No. 1, as the Blazers claimed a 70-12 victory at Parker Field-McCool Stadium in 2001.      

Delta State is coming off a thrilling 30-24 victory over then-No. 1 ranked North Alabama last Thursday in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.  The Statesmen accumulated 512 yards of total offense, capped by an 11-play, 89-yard drive to tie the game on Matt Dean's 27-yard field goal. DSU won it in OT with a methodical drive, all on the ground, ending with Brant Botill's game-winning 4-yard TD run.    

The Statesmen vaulted to No. 1 in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 and D2Football.com Top 25 polls on Monday.  This week's ranking marks the first time since the 2001 season.  DSU held the nation's top spot for six consecutive weeks that season.   

Senior quarterback and Harlon Hill Trophy candidate Micah Davis was named the GSC Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Statesmen to the 30-24 win at UNA.  The Wesson, Miss., native completed 29-of-41 passes for 339 yards with a TD and an INT while rushing for 24 yards and aother score on 11 carries.  

On the Big Stage: The Statesmen have played 20 games all-time on TV with a 15-5 record in program history on TV. ESPN3 and ESPN GamePLAN will televise the game to over 70 million homes across the USA.  Don Russell, former Statesmen head coach Rick Rhoades, and John Cox will handle the GSC-TV produced broadcast.  

Versus Top 25: DSU is 2-0 this season against teams ranked nationally and 12-6 against Division II ranked opponents in the Roberts era.  

Delta State enters the weekend ranked No. 1 in the GSC in total offense (489.8) and total defense (297.1).  The Statesmen rank first in 13 team and individual categories heading into the matchup with the Blazers of Valdosta State.

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 188-of-301 passes for 2,363 yards with 16 TDs and nine INTs.  His 295.4 yards passing per game ranks first in the GSC and 20th nationally.  He is also tops in the GSC in total offense at 311.4 ypg.  He has also rushed for seven TDs this season to rank second in the league.  

Melvin Griffin, a 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker, is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading Delta State (7-1, 1-0 GSC) to a 30-24 victory over then No. 1 North Alabama last Thursday in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.  

The Madison, Miss., native turned in a performance for the ages versus the Lions last week with a career-high 12 tackles, including 3.0 tackles-for-loss and a sack.  In two key possessions for UNA, Griffin dialed up the intensity with a sack of UNA quarterback Lee Chapple, and two tackles-for-loss that helped stall Lion drives.  

Griffin has started and played in all eight games for the Statesmen this season.  He ranks second on the team with 41 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks.  The speedy outside linebacker has also picked off a pass and collected two pass break-ups this season.  In his 23 game career, Griffin has totaled 88 tackles with 10.0 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks.  He has forced and recovered a fumble, and blocked a kick.   


PINK OUT PARKER FIELD-McCOOL STADIUM
Saturday's game versus Valdosta State will mark the fifth consecutive year that the Statesmen football team has hosted "Pink Out Parker Field-McCool Stadium" in support of cancer awareness month.  The Statesmen, who have worn pink head and sweat bands and training tape, will wear special pink helmet stickers Saturday.  Any fan wearing a predominate amount of pink will get in free.  

Delta State will also recognize cancer survivors and those who lost their battle with the dreaded disease this year.  The annual event is a partnership between Delta State Athletics and the Breast Education and Early Detection Program. 

INSIDE THE SERIES: BLAZERS & STATESMEN
The Delta State Statesmen and the Valdosta State Blazers will meet for the 31st time in series history on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  Over the years, the rivalry has produced some of the most exciting games in DSU football history.  

The Statesmen lead the all-time series 17-12-1, including five straight victories over the Blazers.  DSU defeated VSU 27-23 last year at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium to push coach Ron Roberts to 4-0 all-time versus the Blazers.     

It seems like nearly each time the Delta State Statesmen and the Valdosta State Blazers meet on the gridiron that the implications are huge, and the games entertaining.

DSU earned its first ever NCAA Playoff win in 2000 over Valdosta State with a 49-12 win over the Blazers en route to the only National Championship in DSU history. The victory was the first of two in that memorable season for DSU over VSU.

However, to say the Blazers exacted revenge would be an understatement. After trailing 12-7 to the Statesmen, VSU scored an amazing 63 straight points in a dominant win over the Statesmen with quarterback Dusty Bonner passing for six touchdowns.

The 2004 meeting between the two will also go down as one of the most entertaining in the series history. Twice, the Statesmen held an 11 point lead over the Blazers in the contest, until quarterback Fabian Walker lead the Blazers to a thrilling victory that still remains a touchy subject to DSU faithful. VSU went on to win the NCAA National Championship, while the Statesmen failed to make the playoffs.

Again in 2005, the Blazers completed a fourth quarter comeback. This time, the Blazers trailed 23-14 before rallying to break the hearts of quarterback Scott Eyster and the Statesmen with a 24-23 win.

The Statesmen got the best of VSU in a hotly contested 35-28 decision in 2006, a season in which DSU marched its way to the NCAA Semifinal.

The 2007 meeting between the two GSC powerhouse football schools was the stuff of legend that is if you are a DSU fan. Trailing 24-0 and 31-7 in the second half, the Statesmen scored 28 straight points. Jamarcus Wiggins intercepted VSU's Willie Copeland at the DSU one-yard line to end the game. Jeremy Ricks had an amazing 254 all-purpose yards for the green-and-white.

2008's matchup did not disappoint either, as the two squads battled to a 24-24 tie at the end of regulation, before Tom Santos knocked home a 36-yard field goal for the Statesmen. Damien Davis recovered a Chris Hart fumble to end the game and give the Statesmen a big win.

In the 2009 edition of the Statesmen and Blazers, there was no scoring following a field goal for each team in the third quarter, as the Statesmen won 31-23. Lardester Hicks-Green set a DSU single game record with 20 stops in the contest.

The 2010 edition also lived up to its billing, coming down to the waning moments of the contest. DSU found themselves trailing 14-3 early in the fourth quarter, before rallying to take a 24-21 lead with Chance Dennis' 73-yard touchdown catch. With the Statesmen leading 27-23, DSU's Joe Marshall and Mark Hoskins stopped a Brett Whitmire quarterback sneak on 4th and 1 from the DSU 14.

SERIES MEETINGS SINCE 2000    RESULTS
2000    Delta State 45 - Valdosta State 35
2000    Delta State 49 - Valdosta State 12 (NCAA Playoffs)
2001    Delta State 12 - Valdosta State 70
2002    Delta State 0 - Valdosta State 42
2003    Delta State 17 - Valdosta State 28
2004    Delta State 48 - Valdosta State 51
2005    Delta State 23 - Valdosta State 24
2006    Delta State 35 - Valdosta State 28
2007    Delta State 35 - Valdosta State 31
2008    Delta State 27 - Valdosta State 24
2009    Delta State 31 - Valdosta State 23
2010    Delta State 27 - Valdosta State 23

IN THE POLLS: STATESMEN UNANIMOUS NO. 1
Delta State enters this week's contest against No. 10 Valdosta State ranked in the nation's top 10 for a ninth consecutive week.  DSU currently sits No. 1 in the D2Football.com Top 25 Media Poll and the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.

The Statesmen have not occupied the nation's top ranking since the 2001 season.  DSU held the spot for six consecutive weeks before falling to then No. 4 Valdosta State 70-12 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

ESPN GAME PLAN & ESPN3 TO OFFER VSU-DSU NATIONALLY
Over 70 million homes across the United States will have the opportunity to tune in to see the Statesmen of Delta State host the Blazers of Valdosta State on Saturday, as the GSC announced that ESPN3 and ESPN GamePLAN will carry the game nationally.  

LAST TIME OUT: DSU 30 - UNA 24 OT
The Delta State University Statesmen (7-1, 1-0 GSC) rolled-up 512 yards of total offense, including 89 yards on the final drive of regulation to tie the game on Matt Dean's 27-yard field goal and send it into overtime.  

In OT, Brant Botill's 4-yard TD run lifted the Statesmen to a 30-24 victory at Braly Municipal Stadium in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.

The Lions totaled 345 yards with 125 rushing and 220 passing.  Brant Botill was one of the stars of the show, accounting for 95 total yards and the game-winning TD.  Botill rushed eight times for 50 yards while grabbing five passes for 45 yards.

Defensively, Melvin Griffin led the Statesmen with 12 tackles, while Robert Hogan and Ixavier Triplett chipped in nine each.  Anthony Daniels added an interception and three tackles for the Statesmen defense.  

DAVIS NAMED GSC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Micah Davis, a 6-foot-2 senior quarterback for the top-ranked Statesmen, collected his second career Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week award after leading the Statesmen to a 30-24 victory at then-No. 1 North Alabama last Thursday in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.

Davis completed 29-of-41 passes for 339 yards and one touchdown, while also running for 24 yards and another TD on 11 carries.  The Wesson, Miss., native sparked the Statesmen's fourth-quarter come back, cutting their deficit to 24-21 thanks to a six-yard scoring scamper at 4:24.  He led the game-tying scoring drive which capped a 13-play, 99-yard march via the tying field goal as time expired.

Davis has completed 188-of-301 passes for 2,363 yards with 16 TDs and nine INTs.  He leads the GSC in passing, TDs thrown, TDs responsible for and total offense.  

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 123-71-7, while DSU boasts an all-time record of 240-121-15.

ROBERTS AT HOME
In his four previous seasons as head coach of the Statesmen, coach Ron Roberts has amassed a 24-4 record inside Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  DSU is 3-0 at home this season with Saturday's VSU game and Homecoming Nov. 5 versus West Alabama remaining on the Parker Field-McCool Stadium schedule.

ALL OF THE LIGHTS
Delta State has enjoyed great success over the years in games televised regionally and nationally.  In the 20 games televised, the Statesmen are 15-5 all-time.  Saturday's game versus Valdosta State is the third game to be televised this season.  

DSU claimed back-to-back wins on GSC-TV Live with a 34-20 victory over Arkansas-Monticello at Parker Field-McCool Stadium and a 30-24 OT win at North Alabama.   

STATESMEN AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
Saturday's game versus No. 10 Valdosta State will mark the third 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.  The Statesmen followed that up with a 30-24 OT victory at then-No. 1 North Alabama on Thursday, Oct. 13 inside Braly Municipal Stadium in front of 11,101 fans.

Delta State is 12-6 against ranked opponents since coach Ron Roberts took over the program in 2007.  

STATESMEN STREAKING THROUGH OCTOBER
The Statesmen bring their six game winning streak into this week's game against Valdosta State.  DSU is 3-0 so far in October this season with tonight's VSU clash the last this month.  DSU has an open date on Oct. 29.  The Statesmen have had limited success in the month that produced Halloween, posting a 160-162-12 record in October.  

AROUND THE GSC
In the only other GSC game this week, West Georgia (4-2, 0-0 GSC) hosts West Alabama (5-2, 0-1 GSC) on Thursday to kick off a two-conference game slate this week. West Georgia plays its first conference game of the season this week, and the Wolves are coming off a 23-21 victory over St. Augustine this past Saturday. West Alabama dropped its GSC opener in heartbreaking fashion losing 22-21 at Valdosta State.

AGAINST THE PEACH STATE
The Statesmen are 34-19-1 against the state of Georgia, including a 27-7 victory at Fort Valley State earlier this year.

AROUND THE NATION
A matchup between top six teams takes place this week, as No. 3 Washburn (Kan.) (7-0) takes on No. 6 Northwest Missouri State (6-1). Washburn defeated Central Oklahoma this past week 48-3. Northwest Missouri routed Eastern New Mexico 65-20.  No. 9 Abilene Christian (5-1) travels to face No. 12 Midwestern State (Texas) (6-0).

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 (10.6).  

The Wesson, Miss., native has completed 524-of-818 passes for 6,460 yards with 49 TDs and 28 INTs.  He has also amassed 6,780 total offense yards on 972 plays.  He averages 294.8 total offense and 280.9 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.  

DELTA STATE LEADING THE CHARGE ON DEFENSE
The Statesmen enter Saturday's game with Valdosta State ranked No. 1 in the Gulf South Conference in total defense (297.1), rushing defense (98.5), and second in pass defense (198.6).  

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 26 times for 157 yards, while picking off a GSC-high 13 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns.    

SET IT AT 500 & LET'S ROLL
Delta State enters week nine leading the GSC in total offense at 489.8 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 (33.5) behind North Alabama (34.3), second in pass offense (303.6) and second in rush offense (186.1) to West Alabama's league leading 240.0 yards per game.

In DSU's eight previous games, the Statesmen have topped 500-yards in total offense with three straight over 500.  

OPPONENT    YARDS
North Alabama    512
Arkansas-Monticello    526
Ouachita Baptist    566
at Arkansas Tech    532
at Fort Valley State    567

THE LION TAMER
Junior running back Brant Botill came up big for the Statesmen last week against North Alabama. Botill led the Statesmen in rushing with 50 yards on eight carries. He also caught five passes for 45 yards. He put the contest away in overtime with a four-yard run for the game-winning touchdown. Botill has been on a roll recently for the Statesmen scoring a touchdown in each of the last three games.

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
Senior linebacker Robert Hogan made his presence felt this past week in Florence, Ala. Hogan was in on nine tackles with three of them being solo tackles. He recorded 1.5 tackles for a loss, and was in on a sack as well. Hogan also broke up a pass against the Lions. Hogan has 37 tackles so far this season. He leads the Statesmen in sacks with 4.5, and has a total of seven tackles for a loss. Hogan has also forced and recovered a fumble.

A NIGHTMARE FOR ANY OFFENSE
Senior Linebacker Ixavier Triplett had a big game this past week as well. Triplett made nine tackles with two being solo. He also recorded a sack, and two pass breakups. So far this season Triplett leads the Statesmen with 48 tackles and 8.5 tackles for a loss. He also has recorded two sacks, an interception, and has forced a fumble.

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 30-of-41 (73%) inside the Green Zone with 23 TDs and seven FGs.   The Statesmen have converted an amazing 28-of-35 trips inside the Green Zone since week one, including 12 of their last 14.   
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 188-of-301 passes for 2,363 yards with 16 TDs and nine INTs.  His 296.4 yards per game are No. 1 in the GSC.  He also ranks first in total offense at 311.4 yards per game.  

The former Copiah-Lincoln CC transfer tops the GSC charts in passing yardage (2,363), completions (188), attempts (301), TDs (16) and TDs responsible for (23).

Davis' numbers also have him in some elite company nationally.  He currently ranks 8th in total offense in NCAA DII and 33rd in QB Efficiency (140.0).  His 296.4 yards passing per game stands 7th, while his 2,363 yards passing are 4th, while East Stroudsburg's Ray Wagner leads the nation with 2,667 yards.  

GRIFFIN STUFFS LIONS
Senior Melvin Griffin picked the right time to have the best game as a Statesman. The 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker was a nightmare for the North Alabama offense, as he led the team with 12 total tackles, including three tackles for loss and a quarterback sack.

The Madison, Miss., native stopped UNA running back Demetrius Goode for a loss of three yards forcing a punt with just over two minutes remaining. The Holmes C.C. transfer ranks second on the team with 41 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 1.5 quarterback sacks.

HE PUTS THE TEAM ON HIS BACK
Tim Smith helped literally carry the Statesmen offense to a 30-24 win in overtime at North Alabama. The senior receiver recorded four catches for a team best 100 yards, including a 27- yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. The scoring strike included an amazing individual effort, as Smith carried Florida transfer and potential NFL 1st round draft pick Janoris Jenkins the final 13-yards on his back.  

The Baltimore, Md., native ranks second on the team with 28 catches for 354 yards and three touchdowns.

DEAN & VYE PUT "SPECIAL" IN SPECIAL TEAMS
With two seconds remaining in the fourth, place kicker Matt Dean and holder Kevin Vye joined together to propel the Statesmen to a 24-all tie ball game against then No. 1 North Alabama. Vye handled a low snap and got it down while Dean nailed the kick.  The 27-yard field goal sent the game into overtime where the Statesmen eventually won.

DANIELS PROVIDES GAME-CHANGING PLAY
Trailing 24-14 midway through the fourth quarter and North Alabama driving in Delta State territory, senior defensive lineman Anthony Daniels read a potential screen pass and made the interception. He rumbled 34 yards to the Lions' 35-yard line that help set up a six-yard touchdown run from Micah Davis.

70% OF EARTH COVERED BY WAYER, THE REST BY TRIPLETT
Ixavier Triplett, a standout sophomore linebacker, was all over the field against North Alabama. Triplett recorded nine tackles, one tackle for loss, a sack and two pass break-ups to help the Statesmen defense.

Triplett leads the Statesmen and ranks 11th in the GSC with 48 tackles (6.0).  He also ranks ninth in sacks with 2.0 and second in tackles-for-loss with 8.5 through eight games.  

In his 23 game career, Triplett has amassed 148 tackles, 20.5 tackles-for-loss and 4.0 sacks.  He has also broken up 10 passes.

DOWNS HELPS STATESMEN ON 89-YARD DRIVE
With 1:56 remaining in the game and trailing by three, the Statesmen offense needed to engineer an 89-yard drive to force overtime. Junior receiver Lavon Downs was the recipient of five Micah Davis passes for 44 yards during the incredible drive. Two of those catches were for first downs.

KNOCKING ON DOORSTEPS OF 100
Chance Dennis, a Houston, Texas native and an All-American candidate, is making the most of his senior season, leading the Statesmen with a 45 receptions for 586 yards and five TDs.  

In 22 career games, Dennis has grabbed 97 passes for 1,402 yards and nine touchdowns.  His four receptions versus North Alabama moved him up two spots to 10th on the DSU career receptions chart.  

BALL HAWKS
The Statesmen secondary has been outstanding at times this season, ranking first in the GSC in interceptions (13) and third in pass defense (198.6 ypg).  Senior corners Dominqiue Davenport and Dwight Tillman, safety Jerry Barnes and defensive tackle Anthony Daniels lead DSU with two INTs.  Fellow defensive backs C.J. Lester and Montavious Hill have one each.  DSU linebackers and defensive tackles account for three 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 18 different receivers this season.  Led by Chance Dennis (45) and Tim Smith (28), the Statesmen have two 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 155 career stops in 42 games, while senior linebacker Robert Hogan has tallied 151 in 43 starts.  Sophomore standout Ixavier Triplett has 148 in just 23 games and is on pace to challenge for the Delta State career record.  Jerry Barnes (95), Melvin Griffin (85) and Mark Hoskins (85) should join the list soon.  

PICK-SIX, YES PLEASE
The Statesmen secondary has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season, including Dominique Davenport's 39-yard INT return 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.  

DEAN SECOND ON CAREER PAT CHART
Matt Dean, a senior from Cleveland, connected on  three point-after-attempts in DSU's 30-24 overtime victory at North Alabama last week.  

The three PATs give the senior 88 for his career and rank him second place on the career charts.  Trey Crum (2003-2004) holds the school record with 110.  

GAMES PLAYED MOUNTING UP
The Statesmen feature a veteran-laden ball club with 20 players seeing action in at-least 19 games.  Senior linebacker Robert Hogan (43), running back Rafael Mitchell (42) and corner Dominique Davenport (42) lead the way with the most games played.  The 30+ Club is below.

PLAYER    GAMES
Robert Hogan    43
Dominique Davenport    42
Rafael Mitchell    42
Jacob Sesma    38
Kendall Hunter    35
Matt Dean    34

DEAN CRACKS CAREER SCORING CHARTS
Senior kicker Matt Dean has connected on 20 field goals and 88 extra points in his career, good enough for 148 points scored.  The Cleveland native has cracked the career scoring chart, ranking ninth in school history.   

LUCAS TOPS 2,000 ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
Junior running back Brandon Lucas has topped the 2,000 career all-purpose yards mark in just 22 career games.  The Covington, Ga., native has amassed 2,405 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    1,178
Receiving    186
Punt Returns    404
Kick Returns    637

DSU EXTENDS WIN STREAK VERSUS NATURAL STATE
With a 34-20 win over Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday, Oct. 6, 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, 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).