CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 2/No. 3 ranked Statesmen (5-1, 0-0 GSC) of Delta State University return to the big screen, as GSC-TV Live travels to Parker Field-McCool Stadium for Thursday's game versus the Boll Weevils (3-2) of the University of Arkansas-Monticello.  Kickoff is set for 7:05 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 Arkansas-Monticello, a former member of the Gulf South Conference, are meeting for the 33rd time in series history.  The Statesmen lead the all-time series 27-5, including 14 straight wins.  In fact, DSU has not fallen to UAM since a 41-34 loss in Cleveland back in 1996.  Coach Ron Roberts is 4-0 against UAM all-time, including a 34-20 victory last season versus the Boll Weevils.             

The Statesmen are playing their final game this season against a team from the Great American Conference.  DSU is 3-0 against the GAC.

Delta State is coming off an impressive 45-14 victory over then-No. 25 Ouachita Baptist.  The DSU defense held OBU to just 180 yards and eight first downs, while the Statesmen offense amassed 566 yards of total offense, including 273 on the ground.  

Naturally a success, the Statesmen improved to 101-44-3 all-time against teams from the state of Arkansas with last Saturday's 45-14 win over OBU.  Thursday's game with UAM marks the final game this season against the “Natural State.”

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 41-14 in Roberts' five seasons as head coach with three Gulf South Conference titles and three NCAA Division II Football Playoffs appearances.  Roberts led the Statesmen to a 2010 NCAA DII National Runner-up finish and an 11-4 overall record.   His 41 wins are third all-time in DSU history.  

On the Big Stage: The Statesmen are playing their 19th game all-time on TV this Thursday versus UAM.  DSU is 13-5 in program history on TV.

Versus 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 (480.0) and total defense (274.3).  The Statesmen rank first in 14 team and individual categories heading into the UAM matchup.

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 133-of-228 passes for 1,708 yards with 13 TDs and seven INTs.  His 284.7 yards passing per game ranks first in the GSC and 20th nationally.  He is also tops in the GSC in total offense at 290.7 ypg.      
STATESMAN TO WATCH: BILL FRANKS, WR
Bill Franks, a 5-foot-8, 178-pound wide receiver, is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading Delta State (5-1) to a 45-14 victory over then-No. 25 Ouachita Baptist University last Saturday.  Franks  hauled in a career-high two touchdown passes and 99-yards receiving on three grabs in the win.  

Franks, a transfer from East Mississippi Community College, is having a career year with 16 receptions for 262 yards and three touchdowns.  His three touchdown receptions rank second for the Statesmen and his 262 receiving yards are also second on one of the nation's deepest corps.

The State Line, Miss., native has caught 52 career passes for 650 yards and five touchdowns.  Franks is averaging 12.5 yards per catch and 31.0 yards per game for his career, but this season's 16.4 yards per catch and 43.7 yards per game are much improved.  His 99-yards receiving last week versus the Tigers were a season and career high for the speedster.   

STATESMEN-BOLL WEEVILS SERIES CONTINUES
The Statesmen and Boll Weevils are meeting for the 33rd time in series history this Thursday, Oct. 6 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.   

Delta State has dominated the series over the years, holding a 27-5 edge in series standings, including 14 straight Statesman victories.  DSU is 4-0 under coach Roberts versus UAM, including last season's 42-3 win at Convoy Leslie Stadium in Monticello, Ark.  

DSU has not dropped a game to UAM at Parker Field-McCool Stadium since 1996, a 41-34 Boll Weevil victory.   

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 121-71-7, while DSU boasts an all-time record of 239-121-15.  In coach Roberts' tenure, DSU has posted a 21-3 record at Parker-McCool.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG SUCCESS
Delta State has enjoyed great success over the years in games televised regionally and nationally.  In the 18 games televised, the Statesmen are 13-5 all-time.  

Thursday's game versus UA-Monticello is the first of two games to be shown on GSC-TV Live this season, including next week's showdown with No. 1 North Alabama in Florence, Ala.  

STATESMEN AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
Last week's 45-14 victory over then-No. 25 Ouachita Baptist marked the first contest against a ranked opponent this season.  Delta State is 11-6 against ranked opponents since coach Ron Roberts took over the program in 2007.  

STATESMEN IN OCTOBER
The Statesmen will be looking to improve their record in the month of October with games against No. 25 Ouachita Baptist (W, 45-14), UA-Monticello (10.6), No. 1 North Alabama (10.13) and No. 13 Valdosta State (10.22). DSU has had limited success in the month, posting a 158-162-12 in October.  

IN THE POLLS
The Statesmen enter this week's contest against Arkansas-Monticello ranked in the nation's top 10 for a seventh consecutive week.  DSU currently sits No. 2 in the D2Football.com Top 25 Media Poll and No. 3 in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.

DSU EXTENDS WIN STREAK VERSUS NATURAL STATE
With last Saturday's 45-14 win over then-No. 25 Ouachita Baptist, Delta  State claimed its 5th win in a row against teams from the state of Arkansas.  The Statesmen are 101-44-3, including a 20-3 record under coach Ron Roberts, all-time against teams from the “Natural State.”  

STATESMEN LOOKING TO CONTINUE STREAK AGAINST THE G.A.C.
Thursday's game with the Boll Weevils of Arkansas-Monticello (3-2) marks the final game this season for the Statesmen against teams from the Great American Conference.  

The Statesmen have enjoyed a successful debut against the fledgling conference with back-to-back wins at Arkansas Tech (47-32) and Henderson State (34-31).  Delta State smashed then-No. 25 Ouachita Baptist last week 45-14 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium to move to 3-0 against the newly former league.
 
AROUND THE GSC
The conference slate this week kicks off Thursday with No. 3 Delta State (5-1) hosting Arkansas-Monticello (3-2). The Statesmen are coming off a 45-14 drubbing of Ouachita Baptist who was No. 25 at the time. Monticello is coming off a big win of their own, a 23-9 victory over Valdosta State.

Saturday starts with No. 9 Valdosta State (4-1) traveling to Ouachita Baptist (3-1). The Blazers fell to Arkansas-Monticello 23-9 last week, and the Tigers lost to the Statesmen 45-14.

West Alabama (4-1) celebrates homecoming by hosting Southern Arkansas (1-4). West Alabama defeated Harding 31-17 last Saturday, while Southern Arkansas lost to North Alabama 42-12.

No. 1 North Alabama (5-0) travels to Russellville, Ark., to face Arkansas Tech (1-4). North Alabama rolled over Southern Arkansas 42-14 last week. The Wonder Boys lost to Central Missouri State last weekend 42-16.

West Georgia (2-2) rounds out the conference slate by traveling to Harding (2-3). The Wolves fell to Henderson State last weekend 50-30, while Harding lost to West Alabama 31-17.

INSIDE DIVISION II
Northwest Missouri State fell to Pittsburg State last weekend 38-35. North Alabama moved up to No.1 in the new AFCA Top-25 Poll. Pittsburgh State is up to No. 8, up seven spots from its ranking last week.  The Statesmen moved up two spots to No. 3 behind North Alabama and Bloomsburg (Pa.).

This week features a Missouri showdown. No. 7 Northwest Missouri State (4-1) will look to rebound as they face No. 19 Central Missouri (4-1).

GREEN SHIRTS LEADING THE WAY
Delta State's “Green Shirts” defense leads the Gulf South Conference in 14 team and individual  categories heading into this week's game with UAM. The Statesmen are ranked first in total defense giving up 274.3 yards per game.

DSU has been incredibly stingy defending the run, as they rank first giving up just 95.0 yards per game on the ground.   The Statesmen have not allowed a team more than 116 yards rushing in a game this season, including a season low 36 yards on 25 attempts at Arkansas Tech.  

The Statesmen rank second behind West Alabama in passing defense giving up 179.3 yards per game through the air.  Helping the Statesmen pass defense is the fact that they lead the conference with 16 sacks and nine interceptions.    

LAST TIME OUT: STATESMEN 45 - TIGERS 14
The Delta State University Statesmen sent the rest of the GSC and South region a message in the 45-14 victory over No. 25 Ouachita Baptist.  The message is a simple one, DSU is a force to be reckoned with again this season.  DSU amassed 566 yards of total offense, while holding OBU to just 180.  

The Statesmen defense was so potent that the Tigers managed just eight first downs all night and scored just one offensive touchdown on a short field after a DSU turnover.  

When the final horn sounded, Micah Davis had thrown for 270 yards and accounted for four touchdowns, while the Statesmen ground game racked up 273 yards led by Bryce McBride's 72-yards and Brant Botill's 57.

STATESMEN OFFENSE CLICKING IN THE NONCONFERENCE
Delta State enters week seven leading the GSC in total offense at 479.3 yards per game.  In fact, the Statesmen rank in the top five in each of the major offensive statistical categories, including first in pass offense at 295.0 yards per game.  

DSU is second in the league in scoring offense (34.0) behind North Alabama (34.4) and fourth in rush offense (184.3) to West Alabama's league leading 229.8 yards per game.  

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 133-of-228 passes for 1,704 yards with 13 TDs and seven INTs.  His 284.0 yards per game are No. 1 in the GSC.  He also ranks first in total offense at 290.0 yards per game.  

The former Copiah-Lincoln CC transfer tops the GSC charts in passing yardage (1,704), completions (133), attempts (228) and TDs (13).

Davis' numbers also have him in some elite company nationally.  He currently ranks 17th in total offense in NCAA DII and 45th in QB Efficiency (133.6).  His 284.0 yards passing per game stands 13th, while his 1,708 yards passing are second behind West Virginia Wesleyan's Adam Nuegebauer, who has thrown for 1,805 yards.  

WILD BILL TO THE HOUSE
Senior receiver Bill Franks followed up a five reception, 55-yard performance in the 34-31 win over Henderson State with a career day versus Ouachita Baptist.

The State Line, Miss., native caught five passes for 99 yards and a career best two touchdowns. Franks currently ranks fourth on the team with 16 catches for 262 yards and three touchdowns.

DENNIS TOPS 100-YARD MARK VS OBU; LEADS GSC
Chance Dennis is making the most of his senior season, as the Houston, Texas native leads the GSC in every major receiving category entering week seven.

The Stephen F. Austin transfer has caught 29 passes for 392 yards and five touchdowns through the six weeks of the season.  The senior is tops in the GSC in total receptions, and is tied for the league lead with touchdowns by a receiver. His 82.0 yards receiving per game also stands No. 1 in the pass-happy league.  

In 21 career games, Dennis has grabbed 89 passes for 1,303 yards and nine touchdowns.  He ranks 15th in DSU history in career receptions.  

Dennis ranks in the top 60 in the nation in receptions per game (38th) and receiving yards (41st).  His 496 yards receiving stands 11th.  

MAYERS PACING GSC IN SACKS
Senior defensive tackle Robbie Mayers is enjoying his best season as a Statesmen with 27 tackles and a Gulf South Conference leading 3.5 sacks.  The former Jones County JC transfer also ranks 8th in the league with 5.0 tackles-for-loss.  

BALL HAWKS
The Statesmen secondary has been outstanding at times this season, ranking first in the GSC in interceptions (9) and second in pass defense (179.3 ypg).  Senior corner Dwight Tillman leads DSU with two INTs, while fellow defensive backs C.J. Lester, Montavious Hill, and Jerry Barnes 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 16 different receivers this season.  Led by Chance Dennis (37), Tim Smith (24) and DeJarrius Adams (23), the Statesmen have three receivers ranked in the GSC top 10 in receptions per game.  

DEAN'S GOLDEN TOE
Senior kicker Matt Dean is scooping up points at a record pace for the Statesmen.  The Cleveland native ranks third in the GSC with 42 points and has the highest point total among kickers this season.  

MR. 6000
Senior quarterback Micah Davis, who has completed 133-of-228 passes for 1,708 yards and 11 touchdowns, climbed to No. 4 on the all-time passing charts with his 290-yard effort at Northwestern State.  In the last four weeks, the Wesson native has added 877 yards (289 at FVSU/ 419 at ATU/169 at HSU/270 vs OBU) to push his career total to 5,805 yards passing.   

His 419-yard effort at ATU, on 34-of-60 attempts, made the former Copiah-Lincoln Community College standout just the fourth Statesmen quarterback to eclipse 5,000 career yards.  Scott Eyster (2003-2006) holds the school's all-time record with 13,889 yards passing.

Davis ranks 5th all-time in total offense as well, posting 6,033 career total offense yards in just 21 career games.  

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 is currently 2nd on the team lead with 28 total tackles, including two tackles for loss.

The Baldwyn, Miss., also leads the team with six pass break ups. Davenport helped lead the way for the Statesmen defense with nine total tackles and three pass break ups at Henderson State.

HE'S IN THE DEFENSE HELPING BUSINESS
Statesmen punter Andrew Jones has been a weapon all season for the DSU defense. The Corinth, Miss., native currently ranks second in the GSC, averaging 41.7 yards per punt. Jones unleashed a booming 60 yard punt in the victory over Henderson State, which is his career best. Of his 18 punts, five have been inside the 20 and five were 50-plus yards.

150 MARKS THE SPOT; LUCAS 14th NATIONALLY IN ALL-PURPOSE
Senior running back Brandon Lucas has been racking up yards so far this season. Through five games, Lucas has reached 150 all-purpose yards in all except for one. Lucas had 99 all-purpose yards against Northwestern State.

Lucas recorded 155 yards at Henderson State, and had a season high 299 yards the week before against Arkansas Tech. Lucas ranks second in the GSC in all-purpose yards averaging 176.2 yards per game. He also ranks third in rushing, averaging 64.2 yards per game on the ground.

The junior has certainly made a major impact nationally, ranking 14th overall in all-purpose yardage at 175.8 per game.  He is second in the GSC to West Georgia's Ryan Appling, who averages 195.0 per contest.  

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.  

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.

DAVENPORT CHASING INTERCEPTIONS RECORD
With six games to go in the regular season, Statesmen senior corner Dominique Davenport still has the dream of breaking the career interceptions record at Delta State.  While leading the team with 28 tackles this season, Davenport has yet to record an interception.  

The senior from Baldwyn has nine career INTs and needs five to become the school's career leader.  He currently ranks 4th on the career chart behind Monterio James (13), Jamarcus Wiggins (12), Kim Stewart (10) and Don Fennell (10).  

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 149 career stops in 40 games, while senior linebacker Robert Hogan has tallied 137 in 41 starts.  

Sophomore standout Ixavier Triplett has 133 in just 21 games and is on pace to challenge for the Delta State career record.  

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 (41), running back Rafael Mitchell (40) and corner Dominique Davenport (40) lead the way with the most games played.  A complete list is below.  
PLAYER/GAMES
Robert Hogan    41
Dominique Davenport    40
Rafael Mitchell    40
Jacob Sesma    36
Kendall Hunter    33
Matt Dean    32
Mark Hoskins    22
Ixavier Triplett    21
Micah Davis    21
Jerry Barnes    21
Melvin Griffin    21
Dwight Tillman    21
Robbie Mayers    21
Brandon Lucas    20
Anthony Daniels    20
Matt Snyder    20
Dex Hopkins    19
Joe Marshall    19
Kenny Barnes    19
Tim Smith    19

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 20 career games, the Covington, Ga., native has rushed for 1,162 yards on 179 carries with 12 touchdowns. He currently ranks 17th all-time at Delta State in career rushing yardage.

LUCAS TOP 2,000 ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
Junior running back Brandon Lucas has topped the 2,000 career all-purpose yards mark in just 20 career games.  The Covington, Ga., native has amassed 2,273 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    1,162
Receiving    186
Punt Returns    410
Kick Returns    517

RETURNS A PLENTY
Brandon Lucas has returned 41 punts for 408 yards with an average return of 10.0 yards in his 20 game career. His total of 410 yards puts him 4th on the all-time list at Delta State for return yards.  In the kick return game,  Lucas has returned 22 career kickoffs for 517 yards with an average return of 23.9 yards.  He leads the GSC this season with a 25.7 ypr average.

DEAN CLIMBS TO THIRD ON CAREER PAT CHART
Matt Dean, a senior from Cleveland, connected on six point-after-attempts in DSU's 45-14 victory over No. 25 Ouachita Baptist last week.  The six PATs give the senior 81 for his career and ranks him third on the career charts.  Trey Crum (2003-2004) holds the school record with 110.  

DEAN ON DOORSTEP OF CAREER SCORING CHARTS
Senior kicker Matt Dean has connected on 19 field goals and 81 extra points in his career, good enough for 138 points scored.  The Cleveland native cracked the career scoring chart last week, ranking 11th in school history.