GAME NOTES: North Greenville at Delta State - NCAA Quarterfinals (12.3.11)
Complete Weekly Release in PDF


Delta State advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals with a convincing 42-14 win over North Alabama (9-3) last Saturday at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  The Statesmen held UNA to 298 total yards and did not allow a point to the Lions after the first quarter.  Micah Davis totaled four touchdowns, including three passing in the win. 

Saturday's NCAA Division II Football Championship Quarterfinal game between the Statesmen and Crusaders marks the first ever meeting between the schools and the second straight year that Delta State has played for the Super Region II title.  DSU blasted No. 2 ranked Albany State 28-7 behind a dominating defensive effort last season in the ASU Coliseum for the regional crown. 

Delta State is making its seventh appearance all-time in NCAA Division II Football Championship, including the fourth in the Ron Roberts' era. The Statesmen are 13-5 all-time in NCAA postseason play, including a 6-3 record in coach Ron Roberts tenure.  

The Statesmen claimed their fourth Gulf South Conference Championship in five seasons under head coach Ron Roberts with a 36-34 victory over then-No. 18/No. 20 University of West Alabama (8-3) at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  The title is the 6th all-time and the 5th since 2000.

Coach Ron Roberts joined elite company on Nov. 5,, becoming just the second coach, joining Jacksonville State's Jim Fuller, in Gulf South Conference history to lead a program to four championships.   The Visalia, Calif., native is 46-15 in his five seasons as head coach, including four GSC crowns, four NCAA playoff appearances, one NCAA Super Region II title and a national runner-up finish in 2010. 

Delta State placed 19 Statesmen, a school-record, on the All-Gulf South Conference squad announced Thursday, Nov. 17 including Micah Davis, who was named GSC Offensive Player of the Year.  In all 11 Statesmen were named to the All-GSC First Team and eight to the Second Team.    

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 273-of-440 passes for 3,231 yards with 22 TDs and 16 INTs.  He has also rushed for 12 TDs on the season, second most in the GSC.

Dominique Davenport, a senior corner, tied the school record for career interceptions at West Georgia with 13.  Davenport stepped in front of a second quarter Emmanuel Taylor pass to tie Monterio James (2005-2007) for the school's all-time mark. 

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 5-0 this season against teams ranked nationally and 15-6 against Division II ranked opponents in the Roberts era. 
4th Quarter Comebacks: 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. 

Chance Dennis, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior wide receiver from Houston, Texas, is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading the No. 8 Statesmen (10-2) to a 42-14 victory over No. 12 North Alabama (9-3)in the Second Round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship Saturday, Nov. 26 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

The All-Gulf South Conference selection grabbed four passes for 88 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown from Micah Davis on the second play of the game for the Statesmen.  Dennis would also factor heavily in the remainder of the game with three key receptions on third down for DSU.  

Dennis leads the Statesmen with 66 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns this season.  In his career, the clutch receiver has caught 118 passes for 1,667 yards and 11 touchdowns.  

DELTA STATE FACING NORTH GREENVILLE FOR REGION II CROWN
The Statesmen (10-2) of Delta State University, champions of the Gulf South Conference, will be playing for their second consecutive Super Region II title on Saturday, as the Crusaders (11-2) of North Greenville University travel to Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the game marks the first ever meeting between the two schools.  

Delta State dismantled the Lions (9-3) of North Alabama 42-14 last Saturday to advance to this week's showdown, while the Crusaders cruised to a 58-32 victory over Mars Hill (8-3).  

The Statesmen defeated a heavily favored Albany State squad last season 28-7 for the Super Region II title at the ASU Coliseum in Albany, Ga.  
 
SATURDAY, NOV. 19
North Alabama (No. 5) 43 at West Alabama (No. 4) 27 - Livingston, Ala.
Albany State (No. 6) 17 at North Greenville (No. 3) 63 - Greenville, N.C.

SATURDAY, NOV. 26
North Alabama (No. 5) 14 at Delta State (No.1) 42 - Cleveland, Miss.
North Greenville (No. 3) 58 at Mars Hill (No. 2) 32 - Mars Hill, N.C.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3
North Greenville (11-2) vs. Delta State (10-2) - 1 p.m. - Cleveland, Miss.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10
DSU/NGU winner vs. NWMSU/PSU winner - TBD - TBD

SATURDAY, DEC. 17
NCAA Division II National Championship Game - TBA - Florence, Ala.

STATESMEN HAVE ENJOYED POSTSEASON SUCCESS
The Statesmen are making their seventh NCAA postseason appearance and the fourth under head coach Ron Roberts.  Delta State, which claimed the 2000 NCAA Division II National Championship, is 13-5 all-time in NCAA postseason play, including a 6-3 record under Roberts. A complete list of DSU's postseason games is included in the PDF linked above. 

STATESMEN LOOKING TO REPEAT 2000 FEAT
On the 11th anniversary of DSU's first NCAA national title, Coach Ron Roberts and the Statesmen hope to repeat the success the 2000 Statesmen were able to accomplish. DSU reeled off four straight victories to claim the 2000 National title. The Statesmen defeated Bloomsburg 63-34 in the NCAA Championship game at Braly Municipal Stadium.  

DELTA STATE IN PLAYOFFS UNDER FOURTH DIFFERENT HEAD COACH
Ron Roberts, who has guided the Statesmen to a 6-3 postseason record, is the fourth different head coach to take a Delta State team to the playoffs. That makes the Statesmen one of just five Division II programs to have reached the playoffs under four different coaches, and those programs are the elite in DII history. North Dakota State,  North Alabama, Grand Valley State, and North Dakota have accomplished the feat.   

DSU TRYING TO JOIN ELITE GROUP
The Statesmen are attempting to become the fourth Gulf South Conference school to win multiple national championships in football. North Alabama leads the pack with three, Valdosta State has two, after winning the title in 2007 and former GSC member Troy won two before making the move to Division I.

MULTIPLE DII CHAMPIONSHIPS
North Dakota State (5): 1983,1985,1986,1988, 1990
Grand Valley State (4): 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
NW Missouri St (3): 1998, 1999, 2009
North Alabama (3): 1993, 1994, 1995
Southwest Texas St. (2): 1981, 1982
Troy State (2): 1984, 1987
Northern Colorado (2): 1996, 1997
Valdosta State (2): 2004, 2007
Minnesota-Duluth (2): 2008, 2010

GSC HAS THE MOST DIVISION II FOOTBALL TITLES
The Gulf South Conference has won the most NCAA Division II Football National Championships of any league with nine. The GSC has had five different schools win those titles. Troy State won two in 1984 and 1987, followed by Jacksonville State in 1992.  North Alabama won three straight in 1993, 1994 and 1995 and Delta State won it in 2000. Valdosta State then followed with titles in 2004 and 2007.

Another former GSC member, Mississippi College, won the 1989 championship but was later stripped of it by the NCAA. Ironically the Choctaws defeated another GSC member, Jacksonville State, in that title game.

SANTA LOVES THE STATESMEN
The Statesmen love the month of December, posting an 8-2 record all-time. DSU is 5-2 all-time in the NCAA playoffs in Santa's favorite month.

GSC TEAMS IN THE NCAA PLAYOFFS
The Gulf South Conference has enjoyed greater success in NCAA Championships than any other conference in NCAA Division II.  The GSC holds an impressive 92-52 record all-time in the NCAA DII football playoffs with nine championships won.  The GSC holds the playoff record for most schools having won a championship (5).  The GSC also holds playoff records for:

Championships    9
Most different schools winning title    5
Most different schools making playoffs    13
Most playoff appearances by members    68
Most NCAA playoff victories    92
Most NCAA playoff games played    143

GSC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
The Gulf South Conference has, traditionally, been one of the more dominant conferences in NCAA Division II football.  In fact, no other conference boasts more championships or playoff wins than the GSC.  Since 1984, the GSC has won nine national titles.  

YEAR    SCHOOL
1984     Troy State
1987     Troy State
1989     Miss. College*
1992     Jacksonville State
1993     North Alabama
1994     North Alabama
1995     North Alabama
2000     Delta State
2004     Valdosta State
2007     Valdosta State
* Participation later vacated by NCAA

AGAINST THE STATES
The Statesmen are facing their first opponent this season from the state of South Carolina, as Tigerville, S.C.-based North Greenville University travels to Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

In fact, the Statesmen have never faced a school from the “Palmetto” state in program history.  DSU has enjoyed a level of regional success, posting a 35-20-1 record against teams from Georgia and a 3-1 mark against North Carolina located schools.      

LAST TIME OUT: DSU 42 - UNA 14
The Super-Region 2 No. 1 seed Delta State Statesmen defeated North Alabama 42-14 Saturday afternoon to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals.

Micah Davis threw for three touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown to lead the Statesmen offense. Davis was 17 for 24 and 214 yards passing.  The Delta State offense totaled 466 yards of offense and scored 35 unanswered points to help the Statesmen earn its biggest victory of the season.
 
Robert Hogan had two sacks and two forced fumbles to help lead the Statesmen defense. Dwight Tillman led the Statesmen defense with 5.5 tackles.

UNA was held to 298 yards of total offense, including a mere 65 yards in the second half.  UNA's Lee Chapple completed 20-of-38 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown, but fumbled twice and was sacked five times for -47 yards.  

Chance Dennis and Tim Smith paced the Statesmen with four receptions each, while Brant Botill rushed 10 times for 67 yards and a score.  

Andrew Jones also had a big day, averaging 47 yards per punt with a long of 79 yards.  The 79-yarder was the second longest in DSU history.

IN THE POLLS: STATESMEN UNANIMOUS NO. 8
Delta State enters this week's contest against North Greenville ranked in the nation's top 10 for an 13th consecutive week.  DSU currently sits No. 8 in the D2Football.com Top 25 Media Poll and the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.

The Statesmen held the No. 1 ranking for four straight weeks before falling 39-35 at West Georgia in the regular season finale.  It was the second longest streak in school history at No. 1, as DSU held the spot for six consecutive weeks before falling to then No. 4 Valdosta State 70-12 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium during the 2001 season.    

STATESMEN AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
With a 42-14 thumping of then-No. 12 North Alabama, Delta State pushed its record to 5-0 against ranked opponents this season.  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 15-6 against ranked opponents since coach Ron Roberts took over the program in 2007 and 5-0 this season.

AT PARKER FIELD-McCOOL STADIUM
Over the years, Parker Field-McCool Stadium has been a very successful place for the Statesmen and last Saturday, DSU claimed its 125th victory on the hallowed grounds with a 36-34 win over West Alabama .  

In its 41 year history, the Statesmen are 126-71-7, while DSU boasts an all-time record of 243-121-15 at home.  Coach Ron Roberts is 30-4 in his five seasons as DSU's head coach at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

STATESMEN CLAIM FOURTH TITLE UNDER COACH RON ROBERTS
The top-ranked Delta State University Statesmen (10-2) claimed their fourth Gulf South Conference title in five years under head coach Ron Roberts a 36-33 victory over then-No. 18 West Alabama at Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 5.  

Roberts became the second head coach in Gulf South Conference football history to guide a team to four league titles, joining former Jacksonville State head coach Jim Fuller, who led the Gamecocks to four titles from 1977 to 1982.    

Several head coaches have led teams to three titles, including North Alabama's Wayne Grubb (1980, 1983, 1985) and Bobby Wallace (1993, 1994, 1995); JSU's Bill Burgess (1989, 1991, 1992); and Valdosta State's Chris Hatcher (2001, 2002, 2004).    

The Statesmen claimed their first ever league crown in 1998 under then-head coach Todd Knight.  Former head coach Steve Campbell led the green-and-white to the 2000 GSC title and the NCAA Division II National Championship.  

In Roberts' five seasons, the Visalia, Calif., native has guided the Statesmen to a 46-15 record (76.2%) with four GSC crowns, four NCAA Division II playoff appearances, one NCAA Super Region II title, and a national runner-up finish in 2010. 

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.  

DAVIS MAKING CASE FOR HARLON HILL TROPHY
Senior quarterback Micah Davis, 2011 GSC Offensive Player of the Year, 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 273-of-440 passes for 3,231 yards with 22 TDs and 16 INTs.  His 269.2 yards per game are second in the GSC, while his 285.9 yards per game in total offense lead the league.  

The former Copiah-Lincoln CC transfer ranks either first or second in the GSC charts in passing yards (3,231), completions (273), attempts (440), passing touchdowns (22) and TDs responsible for (34).

Davis' numbers also have him in some elite company nationally.  He currently ranks 11th in total offense in NCAA DII and 46th in QB Efficiency (132.7).  His 269.2 yards passing per game stands 15th, while his 3,231 yards passing are 8th.  

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

7,000 & CLIMBING CAREER CHARTS FOR DAVIS
Senior Micah Davis is just the second Statesman quarterback to top 7,000 career passing yards after his performance at West Georgia.  The Wesson, Miss., native has completed 609-of-957 passes for 7,328 yards with 55 TDs and 35 interceptions.  

Davis eclipsed the 7,000 total offense yardage mark with his 260-yard, three touchdown performance versus West Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  He has amassed 7,718 total offense yards, which ranks second all-time, on 1,142 plays with 72 career TDs.  He averages 285.9 total offense and 271.4 passing yards per game in his Delta State career.  

Scott Eyster (2003-2006) holds the school's all-time record with 13,889 yards passing.  Davis ranks second all-time in total offense as well, posting 7,462 career total offense yards in just 26 career games.  

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 12 rushing touchdowns this season.  Davis is tops in the GSC in TDs responsible for with 34 (22 passing/12 rushing).

DELTA STATE LEADING THE CHARGE ON DEFENSE
The Statesmen entered the postseason ranked No. 1 in the Gulf South Conference in total defense (328.0), rushing defense (124.8) and pass defense (192.0).  DSU is also fourth in scoring defense (24.4).    

In fact, the Statesmen are the only team in the GSC with a total defense below 350-yards per game.  Delta State has also sacked opposing quarterbacks a league-high 36 times for 240 yards, while picking off a GSC-high 19 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns.    

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 45-of-60 (75%) inside the Green Zone with 37 TDs and eight FGs.  The Statesmen have converted 43-of-54 trips inside the Green Zone since week one, including 26 of their last 32 trips.  

SET IT AT 500 & LET'S ROLL
Delta State enters the Second Round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship leading the GSC in total offense at 471.3 yards per game after totaling 500-plus yards in six games this season.  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 (34.2), second in pass offense (279.3) and second in rush offense (192.0) to West Alabama's league leading 226.7 yards per game.  A complete list of DSU's 500-yard plus performances is below.

OPPONENT    YARDS
West Georgia    544
North Alabama    512
Arkansas-Monticello    526
Ouachita Baptist    566
at Arkansas Tech    532
at Fort Valley State    567

PICK-SIX, YES PLEASE
The Statesmen secondary has returned four 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.

Dwight Tillman made it two straight games the Statesmen have scored on an interception return, as he raced 40 yards for a touchdown after intercepting a Kyle Caldwell pass versus UWA.  

DENNIS CLIMBS TO EIGHTH ON 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 66 receptions for 860 yards and seven TDs.  The 66 grabs are tied for 5th in DSU regular season histo  

In 26 career games, Dennis has grabbed 118 passes for 1,667 yards and 11 touchdowns.  His four receptions at West Georgia moved him into eighth place on the career top 10 on the DSU career receptions chart.

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 66 tackles and 10 tackles-for-loss.

The 2010 GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year has totaled 166 tackles in just 27 career games played.  The former Scott Central HS star has also amassed 22 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and 10 pass break-ups.  

BALL HAWKS
The Statesmen secondary has been outstanding at times this season, ranking first in the GSC in interceptions (19) and pass defense (192.0 ypg).  Senior corners Dominqiue Davenport leads the team with four INTs, while Dwight Tillman and Jerry Barnes have three INTs each.

Defensive lineman Anthony Daniels and safety Brett Butler each have two interceptions, while 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 19 different receivers this season.  Led by Chance Dennis (66) and Tim Smith (38), 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 versus then-No. 10 Valdosta State.

DEAN SECOND ON CAREER PAT CHART; TOPS 100
Matt Dean, a senior from Cleveland, connected on six point-after-attempts in DSU's 42-14 win over North Alabama to inch to within four of the school PAT record.  Dean's 106 PATs rank second on the career charts.  Trey Crum (2003-2004) holds the school record with 110.  

DAVENPORT CLIMBS TO TOP OF CHART
Senior cornerback Dominique Davenport picked off the 13th pass of his career at West Georgia on Saturday, Nov. 12 to tie him with Monterio James (2005-2007) for most interceptions in school history.  Davenport's interception was his fourth of the season, which is tied for the fifth most in a single season at Delta State.

Davenport has recorded 44 tackles this season with 3.0 tackles-for-loss, four INTs, which are tired for the GSC lead, and 14 passes defended, which are also good for second.  In 47 career games, the Baldwyn, Miss., native has totaled 165 tackles, 16.5 tackles-for-loss, 13 INTs and 48 pass break-ups.  

50 AND COUNTING CLUB
Five Statesmen defenders have totaled at least 50 tackles this season. Sophomore linebacker Ixavier Triplett has posted a team-leading 66 tackles entering the postseason. The rest of list is made up of seniors.

PLAYER    2011 TACKLES    CAREER TACKLES
Melvin Griffin, LB    63    110
Jerry Barnes, SS    62    121
Robbie Mayers, NG    60    74
Robert Hogan, LB    56    170

GAMES PLAYED MOUNTING UP
The Statesmen feature a veteran-laden ball club with 29 players seeing action in at-least 20 games.  Senior linebacker Robert Hogan (47), running back Rafael Mitchell (46) and corner Dominique Davenport (46) lead the way with the most games played.  The 30+ Club is below.

PLAYER        GAMES
Robert Hogan        47
Dominique Davenport        46
Rafael Mitchell        46
Jacob Sesma        42
Kendall Hunter        39
Matt Dean        38

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 leads the GSC in punting, averaging 42.6 yards per punt.  Jones has boomed a league-high 11 punts over 50-yards, including a 79-yard effort versus North Alabama in the 2nd Round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.  He has punted 37 times this season for 1,578 yards with a long of 79 yards, the second longest punt in school history.

For his efforts, he has been named GSC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season, including the week of the West Alabama game after he averaged 44.4 yards per punt versus the Tigers. His final punt of the evening was downed at the two yard line, which forced UWA to drive at least 70 yards to enter field goal territory.