Box Score CARROLLTON, Ga. – The top-ranked Delta State University Statesmen (9-2, 3-1 GSC) could not pull out another fourth quarter comeback Saturday at University Stadium, as the Wolves (6-4, 2-2 GSC) of the University of West Georgia pulled out a 39-35 upset in the regular season finale for both clubs.  UWG's victory snapped a seven game losing streak to DSU and sent 19 seniors out with a win over the nation's No. 1 ranked team. 

The loss ends DSU's eight game win streak entering the NCAA Division II Football Championships next week.  The NCAA will officially announce the 24-team postseason field on Sunday at 4 p.m.  Pairings will be announced on www.NCAA.com.  

After the Statesmen failed to score in their first two drives, the Wolves jumped out to an early 3-0 lead off Davis Brackett's 31-yard field goal with 2:40 to play in the first quarter.  The drive covered 67 yards on 10 plays in 4:45.

The Wolves made it 10-0 on Emmanuel Taylor's 19-yard touchdown strike to Bobby Burum with 10:40 to play in the half.  The scoring drive was set up after Micah Davis' second interception of day.

Delta State finally scratched the scoreboard with 7:33 to play in the half, as Davis capped a 6-play, 57-yard drive with his 10th rushing touchdown of the season.   

After a Jerry Barnes' interception of Taylor, the Statesmen failed to convert on a 47-yard field goal, as Matt Dean's attempt fell short.

DSU's defense made another big play on UWG's next drive, as Dominique Davenport recorded his 13th career interception, tying the school record held by Monterio James. 

With momentum in their pocket, the Statesmen took the lead 14-10 with 4:07 to play in the half on Brandon Lucas' 50-yard touchdown run.

West Georgia answered on their next possession with a 1-yard scoring run by Taylor, his eighth touchdown of the season on the ground, to put the blue-and-red back on top 17-14.  The Wolves covered 76 yards on six plays in 2:07. 

The Wolves accounted for 220 yards in the first half, including 165 yards passing by Taylor on 8-of-17 completions with a touchdown and two interceptions.  Taylor also rushed 10 times for 30 yards and another score. 

Delta State amassed 274 yards in the opening half with Davis passing for 199 yards on 8-of-23 passing with three interceptions.  Davis rushed seven times for 59 yards and a score, while Brandon Lucas rushed for 98 yards on just six carries with a score. 

Robbie Mayers led the Statesmen with six tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.  Tim Green led the Wolves and all defenders with seven tackles. 

The Wolves wasted little time in picking up the momentum in the second half, as Taylor connected with Arkeem French on a 30-yard touchdown pass to put UWG up 24-14 with 12:46 to play in the third quarter. 

After a short kickoff and a personal foul on the Wolves' Will Jones, the Statesmen needed just two plays to cut the lead back to three, 24-21 UWG.  Richard Freelon rumbled for 38 yards on the first play of the drive and Avery Horn plunged in from 2-yards out for the score. 

The Statesmen once again took advantage of an Emmanuel Taylor interception, as Davis plunged in for a 2-yard touchdown run to cap an 11-play, 68-yard drive in 4:39 to give the green-and-white the 28-24 lead with 5:33 left in the third quarter.  The drive was set-up by Brett Butler's second interception of the season and the 19th of the year for the DSU defense.

DSU continued its second half dominance after forcing a Wolves punt.  Lucas and company quickly drove 64 yards on eight plays in 4:27 to take a 35-24 lead.  Lucas capped the drive with a 42-yard touchdown run, his second of the day.  The scoring drive marked 21 unanswered points scored by DSU.

West Georgia finally stopped the DSU surge with a 12-play, 66-yard drive to cut the lead to 35-32 Statesmen with 9:06 to play.  Taylor scored his second rushing touchdown of the day on a 1-yard run on fourth down.  Taylor completed his two-point conversion pass to Burum to make it a three-point game.

With the game on the line, the Wolves marched 68 yards on 14 plays in 5:42 to take the 39-35 lead on James Kennebrew's 1-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-goal. 
The Statesmen had their chances on the final possession of the game, marching inside the UWG 7-yard line before failing to push the ball into the endzone. 

UWG finished the game with 407 yards of total offense on 76 plays, while DSU topped 500 yards with 544 on 83 plays. 

The Statesmen rushed for 398 yards on 46 carries, led by Brandon Lucas' 233 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns.  The Covington, Ga., native accounted for fifth most rushing yards in game in school history. 

UWG's Taylor amassed 355 total offense yards, including 258 yards passing on 16-of-32 attempts and 97 yards rushing on 25 carries with four total touchdowns. 

Mayers, a senior from Laurel, Miss., led all Statesmen defenders with 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack.  Mark Hoskins added seven tackles, a sack and a tackle-for-loss. 

Green paced UWG with 11 stops.    

West Georgia closed the regular season with a winning record for the first time since 2005, as coach Darrell Dickey and the Wolves finish the season 6-4 and 2-2 in Gulf South Conference play. 

The Statesmen saw their eight game winning streak come to a close in the loss and will head into the postseason 9-2 overall and 3-1 in GSC play.  DSU had already claimed the GSC title in last week's 36-34 win over West Alabama. 

The Statesmen, who have held the top spot in the NCAA Super Region II Poll for the past four weeks, will find out their postseason fate Sunday at 4 p.m.  Should Delta State hold on to the No. 1 ranking in the region, the Statesmen will receive a first round bye in the NCAA Division II Football Championships and host a second round game on Saturday, Nov. 26 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. 

The NCAA will release the 24-team postseason field at 4 p.m. on www.NCAA.com.  The complete bracket, including game times and locations, will be available shortly there after on www.NCAA.com and www.D2football.com.