The Statesmen and Tigers are meeting for the 55th time in series history, but none have been bigger than Saturday's clash.  The game marks the first time since 1971 that the Tigers have had a shot at the GSC title, while the Statesmen are in search of their fourth title in five years.  Delta State leads the all-time series 32-19-3, including wins in 8-of-the-last-10 meetings.  The game last season was a barn burner, as DSU escaped with a 41-37 victory over UWA in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.  The contest also features two of the GSC's original founding members in a series that dates back to a 0-0 tie in 1940.         

Delta State is coming off a bye week and a thrilling 36-33 victory over then-No. 10 ranked Valdosta State in the GSC-TV Live/ESPN3 Game of the Week.  The Statesmen had to convert five 4th downs in the game to complete the comeback over the Blazers, as Brant Botill scored from 3-yards out with 40 seconds remaining in the game.  The scoring plunge capped an 18-play, 92-yard drive for the win. 

The Statesmen enter the week ranked No. 1 in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 and D2Football.com Top 25 polls for a third consecutive week.  It's the first time since the 2001 season that DSU has held the top spot. 

Senior safety Brett Butler and junior punter Andrew Jones were named GSC Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week respectively after leading the Statesmen to the win over VSU.  Butler totaled six tackles and returned an interception 65-yards for a TD that sparked the Statesman rally, while Jones averaged 48.0 yards per punt and converted a 4th-and-2 on the game winning drive on a fake punt. 

On the Big Stage: The Statesmen have played 21 games all-time on TV with a 16-5 record in program history on TV.

Versus Top 25: DSU is 3-0 this season against teams ranked nationally and 13-6 against Division II ranked opponents in the Roberts era. 

Cardiac Kids: The Statesmen are 4-1 this season when trailing an opponent at the end of the 3rd quarter.  DSU has completed comebacks versus Elizabeth City State, Henderson State, North Alabama and Valdosta State.  The lone loss came at Northwestern State (FCS) on a controversial play during a two-point attempt. 

Delta State enters the weekend ranked No. 1 in the GSC in total offense (481.6) and total defense (313.8).

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 210-of-337 passes for 2,575 yards with 17 TDs and 10 INTs.  He has also rushed for eight TDs on the season.

STATESMAN TO WATCH: BRETT BUTLER, SS
Brett Butler, a 6-foot, 185-pound safety, is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading Delta State (8-1, 2-0 GSC) to a 36-33 come-from-behind victory over then No. 10 Valdosta State on Saturday, Oct. 22 in the GSC-TV Live ESPN-3/ESPN GamePLAN Game of the Week.  

The Modesto, Calif., native has returned from injury with a vengeance, sparking the Statesmen rally versus the Blazers with a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter of Delta State's 36-33 win.  After missing three games due to a high ankle sprain, Butler has reclaimed his starting spot and returned as a force in the Statesmen secondary.  He finished the game with six total tackles as well.  

The Modesto Junior College transfer has accumulated 14 tackles this season with a tackle-for-loss, an interception and one pass break up.  In his 19 game career, Butler has totaled 63 tackles with 6.0 tackles-for-loss, one interception and four pass break ups.   

INSIDE THE SERIES: TIGERS & STATESMEN
In a series that dates back to a 0-0 tie in 1940, two of the Gulf South Conference's founding institutions will square off in what amounts to a GSC Championship Game on Saturday, Nov. 5, as the top-ranked Delta State Statesmen (8-1, 2-0 GSC) welcome the No. 23 ranked Tigers of West Alabama (7-2, 2-1 GSC) to Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and DSU will be observing Homecoming festivities.  

The Statesmen lead the all-time series 32-19-1, including victories in eight of the last 10 meetings between the two schools.  DSU claimed a 41-37 win on GSC-TV Live last season at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  Coach Ron Roberts is 3-1 all-time versus the Tigers of UWA.  

Delta State is 23-8-1 all-time versus West Alabama at home, while holding a 9-11-2 mark in Livingston, Ala. 

UWA WIN PUTS GSC TITLE UP FOR GRABS
Unintended consequences sometimes workout in the favor of both teams and Saturday's showdown with West Alabama will give Delta State a chance to capture its third Gulf South Conference title in four years and the fourth in coach Ron Roberts tenure at DSU.  

While the Statesmen enjoyed a bye week, No. 23 West Alabama defeated then-No. 5 North Alabama 31-26 at Tiger Stadium to set-up the defacto GSC Championship Game at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  Matthew Willis, a former DSU signee, recorded his eighth straight 100-yard rushing performance with 111 yards and two TDs in the win.

LAST TIME OUT: DSU 36 - VSU 33
The No. 1 ranked Delta State Statesmen football team put together a 92-yard touchdown drive in the final minutes to defeat the No. 10 Valdosta State Blazers 36-33.  The Statesmen (8-1, 2-0 GSC) offense converted three fourth-down attempts on the final drive that saw Brant Botill score a 3-yard touchdown run to give Delta State the lead and the eventual win.
 
Melvin Griffin and Anthony Daniels sealed the victory for the Statesmen with back-to-back sacks to end the game.
 
The 92-yard scoring drive was the second straight 90+ yard drive in the final minutes for Delta State.
 
IN THE POLLS: STATESMEN UNANIMOUS NO. 1
Delta State enters this week's contest against No. 18 West Alabama ranked in the nation's top 10 for a 10th 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.  

AGAINST THE STATES
The Statesmen have played more games against teams from the state of Alabama than any other in the union.  DSU is 90-100-5 against the state of Alabama, including a 30-24 overtime victory at then-No. 1 North Alabama on Oct. 13.  

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 124-71-7, while DSU boasts an all-time record of 241-121-15.  Coach Ron Roberts is 28-4 in his five seasons as DSU's head coach.  

ALL OF THE LIGHTS
Delta State has enjoyed great success over the years in games televised regionally and nationally.  In the 21 games televised, the Statesmen are 16-5 all-time.    

The Statesmen are 3-0 on TV this season with DSU claiming 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.  The Statesmen also defeated Valdosta State 36-33 on ESPN3/ESPN GamePLAN.  
   
STATESMEN AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
Saturday's game versus No. 18 West Alabama will mark the fourth 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.  DSU downed then-No. 10 Valdosta State 36-33 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium back on Saturday, Oct. 22.  

Delta State is 13-6 against ranked opponents since coach Ron Roberts took over the program in 2007 and 3-0 this season.    

LET'S KEEP STREAKING INTO NOVEMBER
The Statesmen bring their seven game winning streak into this week's game against West Alabama.  DSU was 4-0 in October after the 36-33 win over Valdosta State on Oct. 22.    

The Statesmen have two games scheduled in November versus UWA at home and on the road at upset-minded West Georgia to close out the regular season on Nov. 12 in Carrollton, Ga.   DSU is 124-117-5 in the month that brings us cornbread stuffing, turkey and Thanksgiving Day.

AROUND THE GSC
In the only other GSC game this week, West Georgia (5-3, 1-1 GSC) looks to carry momentum from last week's 23-20 victory over Valdosta State into Braly Municipal Stadium for a showdown with the Lions of North Alabama.  UNA fell last week in Livingston, Ala., 31-25 to the Tigers of West Alabama.  The UWG Wolves could end all hope for a postseason bid for UNA with a win at UNA.  

AROUND THE NATION
A matchup between top 10 teams takes place this week, as No. 2 Pittsburg State (8-0) welcomes No. 9 Washburn (8-1) to Pittsburg, Kan., to take on the Gorillas.  No. 3 Northwest Missouri State (8-1) travels to No. 25 Missouri Western (7-2) while No. 12 Boomsburg (8-1) travels to No. 13 Kutztown (8-1).

BUTLER & JONES GRAB GSC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Delta State University senior Brett Butler and junior Andrew Jones were named Gulf South Conference Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week respectively after leading the top-ranked Statesmen football team to a 36-33 come-from-behind victory over No. 10 Valdosta State at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

Butler, a 6-foot, 185-pound safety, collects his first-ever accolade and is the second Statesmen defender to take home honors this season after DSU clipped No. 10 Valdosta State at home, 36-33.  The senior notched six total tackles behind a team-high tying five solo stops, but he made his biggest contribution in pass coverage.  The Modesto, Calif., native stepped in front of a VSU pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown with six seconds left in the third quarter.  His TD was the Statesmen's only points of the quarter and closed the deficit to 27-23.

Jones, a 6-foot, 175-pound punter, recorded his first career laurel and is DSU's first Special Teams winner of 2011.  The junior booted five punts for 240 yards and a 48.0 punt average, while also dropping two inside Valdosta State's 20-yard line.  The Corinth, Miss., native did not stop there, playing a key part in Delta State's game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter when he executed a fourth-and-two fake punt by rushing five yards for a first down.

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 West Alabama 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 10 leading the GSC in total offense at 481.8 yards per game.  In fact, the Statesmen rank in the top five in each of the major offensive statistical categories.  DSU is first in the league in scoring offense (33.8), second in pass offense (300.3) and second in rush offense (181.1) to West Alabama's league leading 240.0 yards per game.

A complete list of DSU's 500-yard plus performances is below.

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

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 34-of-46 (74%) inside the Green Zone with 26 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 MAKING CASE FOR HARLON HILL TROPHY
Senior quarterback Micah Davis is making a case for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top NCAA Division II player.  The Wesson, Miss., native has completed 210-of-337 passes for 2,575 yards with 17 TDs and 10 INTs.  His 286.1 yards per game are second in the GSC, while his 300.3 yards per game in total offense lead the league.  

The former Copiah-Lincoln CC transfer tops the GSC charts in passing yardage (2,575), completions (210), attempts (337), TDs (17) and TDs responsible for (25).

Davis' numbers also have him in some elite company nationally.  He currently ranks 10th in total offense in NCAA DII and 36th in QB Efficiency (137.2).  His 286.1 yards passing per game stands 11th, while his 2,575 yards passing are 8th.  

Potentially the biggest stat on Davis' ledger would be 4th quarter comebacks.  The senior All-American has engineered four this season to put the Statesmen in contention for the GSC and NCAA titles.  

DENNIS CLIMBING CAREER CHARTS
Chance Dennis, a Houston, Texas native and an All-American candidate, is making the most of his senior season, leading the Statesmen with a 53 receptions for 713 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 and last week he hauled in eight passes for 118 yards in the 36-33 win over VSU.

DOWNS PICKING UP PLAY AT RIGHT TIME
Lavon Downs, a 6-foot-2 junior wide receiver, finds a way each week to contribute to the success of the offense.  The Avon Park, Fla., native has really turned it on of late, scoring TDs in wins over Arkansas-Monticello and Valdosta State, a 62-yard scoring strike on the second play of the game.  

In the victory at then-No. 1 North Alabama, Downs had a team-high seven receptions for 66 yards, including five grabs on the 89-yard game-tying drive late in the fourth quater.  

He has grabbed 16 receptions for 295 yards and three TDs this season for the Statesmen.

A NIGHTMARE FOR ANY OFFENSE
Sophomore linebacker Ixavier Triplett continues to be a nightmare for opposing offenses this season, as the All-American candidate leads the Statesmen with 52 tackles and 8.5 tackles-for-loss.

The 2010 GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year has totaled 148 tackles in just 23 career games played.  The former Scott Central HS star has also amassed 20.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.0 sacks and 10 pass break-ups.  Triplett ranks 12th in the GSC in tackles, while holding down third in TFL and 11th in sacks.     

BALL HAWKS
The Statesmen secondary has been outstanding at times this season, ranking first in the GSC in interceptions (14) and pass defense (196.7 ypg).  Senior corners Dominqiue Davenport and Dwight Tillman, safety Jerry Barnes and defensive tackle Anthony Daniels lead DSU with two INTs.  Fellow defensive backs Brett Butler, 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 19 different receivers this season.  Led by Chance Dennis (53) and Tim Smith (28), the Statesmen have two receivers ranked in the GSC top 10 in receptions per game. Even linemen have gotten into the fray with a TD grab by Mark Vukadinovic off a pass deflection.    

THEY CALL HIM THE HEARTBREAK KID
Junior running back Brant Botill, Jr. has made the most of his opportunities for the Statesmen this season.  The Corcoran, Calif., native has driven the stake in opposing teams' hearts this season, scoring game-winning touchdowns versus North Alabama in overtime and versus Valdosta State to cap an 18-play, 92-yard drive.  

Botill ranks third on the team with 278 yards rushing on 61 carries with four touchdowns.  He is also tied for fifth on the squad with 17 receptions for 104 yards.  

Against the Blazers, Botill carried the ball nine times for 43 yards and touchdown, while hauling in five passes for 33 yards.  

BIG BOYS LOVE THE ENDZONE
Senior transfer offensive lineman Mark Vukadinovic might have made the play of the season in DSU's 36-33 come-from-behind win over then-No. 10 Valdosta State last Saturday, hauling in a deflected Micah Davis pass and rumbling nine yards for a touchdown.  The score put the Statesmen up 29-27 with 9:54 to play in the contest.  

SMELLS LIKE TOUCHDOWNS TO ME
Micah Davis has an uncanny ability to smell the end zone.  The senior from Wesson, Miss., ranks second in the GSC with eight rushing touchdowns this season.  Davis is tops in the GSC in TDs responsible for with 25 (17 passing/8 rushing).

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 three 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.  

Brett Butler made it three in a key 65-yard return for a score versus Valdosta State that spurred the Statesmen on to victory.  

DEAN SECOND ON CAREER PAT CHART
Matt Dean, a senior from Cleveland, connected on  three point-after-attempts in DSU's 36-33 victory over Valdosta State 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

WALKS TALL AND CARRIES A BIG LEG
Junior punter Andrew Jones has been a major weapon for the Statesmen this season.  The Kossuth, Miss., native is tied with VSU's Jack Fulford for the GSC lead in punting, averaging 41.9 yards per punt.  Jones has boomed a league-high eight punts over 50-yards.  He has punted 28 times this season for 1,172 yards with a long of 60 yards.  

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, including 1,178 yards rushing, 186 receiving, 404 on punt returns and 637 in kickoff returns.

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).