GAME NOTES: Delta State (11-2) at Pittsburg State (11-1) - NCAA Semifinal (12.10.11)
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Delta State advanced to the NCAA Semifinal with its fifth come-from-behind 4th quarter victory 28-23 over North Greenville (11-3) last Saturday at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  The Statesmen trailed 17-14 before mounting the comeback on the wheels of sophomore running back Richard Freelon, who rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns in the win.  Freelon's totals tied for third in DSU postseason history.  Defensively, the Statesmen held the Crusaders to 328 total offense yards behind the play of senior safety Jerry Barnes.  Barnes led all defenders with nine stops and a pass break-up. 

Pittsburg State moved into Saturday's semifinal with a 41-16 thrashing of Northwest Missouri State last week.  John Brown torched the Bearcats secondary for 174 yards on six catches with three touchdowns.  Senior quarterback Zac Dickey completed 12-of-25 passes for 266 yards with three scores, while rushing 20 times for 147 yards. 

Saturday's NCAA Division II Football Championship Semifinal game between the Statesmen and Gorillas will mark the second meeting between the DII powers with DSU holding a 1-0 edge in the series standings.  The Statesmen claimed a 44-31 victory over PSU in the 2005 season opener at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg, Kan.

Delta State is making its seventh appearance all-time in the NCAA Division II Football Championship Playoff, including the fourth in the Ron Roberts' era. The Statesmen are 14-5 all-time in NCAA postseason play, including a 7-3 record in coach 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 47-15 in his five seasons as head coach, including four GSC crowns, four NCAA playoff appearances, two NCAA Super Region II titles and a national runner-up finish in 2010.  

Harlon Hill Trophy National Finalist Micah Davis continues to direct one of the nation's most prolific passing attacks.  The senior from Wesson, Miss., has completed 292-of-466 passes for 3,423 yards with 22 TDs and 17 INTs.  He has also rushed for 13 TDs on the season, second most in the GSC and 190 yards.  He is also a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, the academic “Heisman” trophy.   

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), who began his career with two INTs at Pitt State, for the DSU record.  

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 6-0 this season against teams ranked nationally and 16-6 against Division II ranked opponents in the Roberts era.  

4th Quarter Comebacks: The Statesmen are 5-1 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, Valdosta State and North Greenville.

Micah Davis, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior quarterback, is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading the No. 8 ranked Statesmen (11-2) to a 28-23 victory over No. 20 North Greenville (11-3)in the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Football Championship Saturday, Dec. 3 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

The Harlon Hill Trophy National Finalist was effective moving the Statesmen offense in their fifth 4th quarter comeback, completing 19-of-26 passes for 192 yards while rushing for his 13th touchdown of the season.

Davis has completed 292-of-466 passes for 3,423 yards with 22 touchdowns this year.  The GSC Offensive Player of the Year has also rushed for 190 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.     He is just the second quarterback in DSU history to amass 7,000 yards passing and total offense.

DELTA STATE ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALIZING TITLE DREAM
The Statesmen (11-2) of Delta State University, champions of the Gulf South Conference and Super Region II, will be playing for their second consecutive berth in the NCAA DII Championship Game on Saturday, as the Gorillas (11-1) of Pittsburg State University welcomes DSU to Carnie Smith Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m. and the game will be televised by ESPN3.  

Delta State claimed a 28-23 win over North Greenville to advance to Saturday's game, while Pitt State smashed Northwest Missouri State 41-16.    

The winner of this week's clash will play the winner of the Wayne State (SR3) at Winston Salem State (SR1) clash in the NCAA title game.
 
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 23 vs. Delta State 28 - Cleveland, Miss.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10
Delta State (SR2) at Pittsburg State (SR4) - 6:05 p.m. - Pittsburg, Kan.
Wayne St. (SR3) at Winston Salem St. (SR1) - 1 p.m. - Winston Salem, NC

SATURDAY, DEC. 17
NCAA Division II National Championship Game - 10 a.m. - Florence, Ala.

STATESMEN HAVE ENJOYED POSTSEASON SUCCESS
The Statesmen are making their fourth appearance in the NCAA Semifinal and the second straight under head coach Ron Roberts this week at Pitt State.  Delta State, which claimed the 2000 NCAA Division II National Championship, is 14-5 all-time in seven NCAA postseason appearances, including a 7-3 record under Roberts. A breakdown of DSU's postseason games is below. (*NCAA Championship Game)

YEAR	OPPONENT	LOCATION	RESULTS
1998	Fort Valley State	Cleveland, Miss.	L, 21-14
2000	Valdosta State	Cleveland, Miss.	W, 49-12
2000	Catawba	Salisbury, N.C.	W, 20-14
2000	North Dakota State	Cleveland, Miss.	W, 34-16
2000	Bloomsburg*	Florence, Ala.	W, 63-34
2006	Elizabeth City State	Elizabeth City, N.C.	W, 17-10
2006	North Carolina Central	Durham, N.C.	W, 24-17
2006	North Alabama	Florence, Ala.	W, 27-10
2006	Grand Valley State	Allendale, Mich.	L, 49-30
2007	Shaw	Cleveland, Miss.	W, 45-7
2007	North Alabama	Florence, Ala.	L, 20-17
2008	Tusculum	Cleveland, Miss.	W, 27-10
2008	North Alabama	Cleveland, Miss.	L, 55-34
2010	North Alabama	Cleveland, Miss.	W, 47-24
2010	Albany State	Albany, Ga.	W, 28-7
2010	Shepherd	Cleveland, Miss.	W, 29-17
2010	Minnesota-Duluth*	Florence, Ala.	L, 20-17
2011	North Alabama	Cleveland, Miss.	W, 42-14
2011	North Greenville	Cleveland, Miss.	W, 28-23
2011	Pittsburg State	Pittsburg, Kan.	TBD

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.  

SANTA LOVES THE STATESMEN
The Statesmen love the month of December, posting an 9-2 record all-time. DSU is 6-2 all-time in the NCAA playoffs in Santa's favorite month.

DELTA STATE IN PLAYOFFS UNDER FOURTH DIFFERENT HEAD COACH
Ron Roberts, who has guided the Statesmen to a 7-3 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.

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.

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 93-52 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: 93
Most NCAA playoff games played: 144

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 Kansas.  DSU is 1-0 all-time against teams from Kansas,  The green-and-white defeated Pitt State 44-31 in the 2005 season opener.  

Richard Freelon rushed for three touchdowns to lead the No. 8 ranked Delta State Statesmen to a 28-23 win over No. 20 North Greenville to advance to the National Semi-Finals as Super Region 2 Champions. Freelon rushed for 130 yards on 23 carries, along with the three scores.

The sophomore transfer from Jacksonville State tied for third in Statesmen (11-2) playoff history with the three touchdowns and had the third highest rushing total in Statesmen playoff history.

After trailing 17-14 to end the third quarter, Freelon gave the Statesmen a lead they never relinquished when he scored on a 1-yard run that capped off a 67-yard drive.

The Statesmen defense protected the lead and forced the Crusaders into a three-and-out on the following drive, setting up the offense with good field position.

Freelon and the offense capitalized, scoring the winning touchdown on an 11 play, 52-yard drive. Freelon had six rushes on the drive, including his third touchdown on the afternoon, another 1-yard run.

North Greenville answered with a touchdown to bring the score to 28-23 after a failed two-point conversion attempt, but the Statesmen offense ran off the final 6:42 to clinch the victory.

STATESMEN AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
One of the nation's most battle tested teams, the Statesmen enter Saturday's game with No. 6 Pittsburg State (11-1) with a 6-0 recoed this season against ranked opponents.  In fact, five of DSU's last six opponents have been ranked in the nation's top 25.  A breakdown of DSU's victories is below.

OPPONENT	RANKING	RESULTS
Ouachita Baptist	No. 25	W, 45-14
North Alabama	No. 1	W, 30-24 OT
Valdosta State	No. 10	W, 36-33
West Alabama	No. 18	W, 36-34
North Alabama	No. 12	W, 42-14
North Greenville	No. 20	W, 28-23

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.  

Delta State also defeated Valdosta State 36-33 on ESPN3.  

DAVIS NAMED TO HARLON HILL TROPHY FINAL THREE
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 joined Mars Hill running back Jonas Randolph and Washburn quarterback Dane Simoneau as the final three vying for the 2011 award.   

Davis has completed 292-of-466 passes for 3,423 yards with 22 TDs and 17 INTs.  His 263.3 yards per game are second in the GSC, while his 277.9 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 (3,423), completions (292), attempts (466), passing touchdowns (22) and TDs responsible for (35).

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 267.8 yards passing per game stands 15th, while his 3,207 yards passing are 8th.  

Potentially the biggest stat on Davis' ledger would be fourth quarter comebacks.  The senior All-American has engineered five 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 628-of-983 passes for 7,520 yards with 55 TDs and 36 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 7,902 total offense yards, which ranks second all-time, on 1,171 plays with 73 career TDs.  He averages 282.2 total offense and 268.6 passing yards per game in his Delta State career.  

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 13 rushing touchdowns this season.  Davis is tops in the GSC in TDs responsible for with 35 (22 passing/13 rushing).

DAVIS SETS POSTSEASON WINS RECORD
In a year where it seeems Micah Davis is a finalist for every major award, the senior from Wesson, Miss., established a school record for postseason victories by a quarterback with six after last week's 28-23 win over North Greenville.  

In his two year career, Davis is 22-6 overall and 6-1 in NCAA postseason play with back-to-back appearances in the NCAA DII National Semifinal.  Last season, Davis and company were national runners-up after falling 20-17 to Minnesota-Duluth in the NCAA DII Championship Game.  

ROBERTS MAKING HISTORY AT HELM OF DSU
Coach Ron Roberts, who was named AFCA Region II Coach of the Year, joined elite company last week, 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 47-15 in his five seasons as head coach, including four GSC crowns, four NCAA playoff appearances, two NCAA Super Region II titles and a national runner-up finish in 2010.  

Roberts has established school records for postseason victories (7), NCAA playoff appearances (4), NCAA Super Region II titles (2), and appearances in the NCAA semifinals (2).  

11 STATESMEN NAMED TO DAKTRONICS ALL-REGION TEAM
After winning a fourth Gulf South Conference Championship in five years and advancing to the Super Region 2 Championship for the second straight year, the Delta State University Statesmen football team continued to receive honors, as 11 Statesmen were named Daktronics All-Super Region 2 on Wednesday.

The Statesmen placed a Super Region 2 high 11 players on the team, including six on the first team and five on the second team.

Quarterback Micah Davis, who was also named GSC Offensive Player of the Year and a Harlon Hill Trophy National Finalist, and his center Darrell Leopold were each named to the First Team Offense, while linebacker Ixavier Triplet, defensive lineman Robbie Mayers, cornerback Dominique Davenport and punter Andrew Jones were named to the First Team Defense.

Leopold is the anchor on the offensive line that leads the GSC in both total offense (471.3) and scoring offense (34.8).

Tight end Dex Hopkins, offensive linemen Lamar Young and Kendall Hunter represented the Second Team offense. Defensive lineman Mark Hoskins and cornerback Dwight Tillman represented the Second Team defense.

ROBERTS ON THE ROAD
In his four previous seasons as head coach of the Statesmen, coach Ron Roberts has amassed a 19-11 record on the road. The Statesmen were 7-2 on the road during last season's march to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game and boast a 4-2 mark this year.

FREELON ERUPTS IN QUARTERFINAL
He's grown each week as a running back and last Saturday against North Greenville in the NCAA Quarterfinal, Richard Freelon erupted for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries in the 28-23 come-from-behind win.  

Freelon, a sophomore transfer from Jacksonville State, has rushed 112 times for 650 yards and eight touchdowns.  His 50.9 yards per game rushing and eight scores rank second on the team this season.

DELTA STATE LEADING THE CHARGE ON DEFENSE
The Statesmen enter the postseason ranked No. 1 in the Gulf South Conference in total defense (327.8), rushing defense (125.5) and pass defense (190.2).  DSU is also fourth in scoring defense (24.3).    

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 38 times for 257 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 49-of-64 (76.6%) inside the Green Zone with 41 TDs and eight FGs.  The Statesmen have converted 47-of-58 trips inside the Green Zone since week one, including 30 of their last 36 trips.  

SET IT AT 500 & LET'S ROLL
Delta State enters the Semifinal Round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship leading the GSC in total offense at 463.6 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 (273.2) and second in rush offense (190.5).  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

BALL HAWKS
The Statesmen secondary has been outstanding at times this season, ranking first in the GSC in interceptions (19) and pass defense (190.2 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.  

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 45 tackles this season with 3.0 tackles-for-loss, four INTs, which are tired for the GSC lead, and 16 passes defended, which lead the conference.  In 48 career games, the Baldwyn, Miss., native has totaled 166 tackles, 16.5 tackles-for-loss, 13 INTs and 50 pass break-ups.  

DENNIS TOP TARGET FOR DAVIS
Chance Dennis, a Houston, Texas native and an All-American candidate, is making the most of his senior season, leading the Statesmen with 69 receptions for 891 yards and seven TDs.  The former Stephen F. Austin transfer's 69 receptions rank fourth on the DSU single season charts.

In 26 career games, Dennis has grabbed 121 passes for 1,698 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.

Dennis ranks first in the GSC in receiving yards (891), second in receptions (69) and third in receptions per game (5.3).  

TRIPLETT 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 72 tackles and 10 tackles-for-loss.

The 2010 GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year has totaled 172 tackles in just 28 career games played.  The former Scott Central HS star has also amassed 22 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and 11 pass break-ups.

Triplett tallied six tackles and a pass break-up in DSU's 28-23 win over North Greenville.  He also had six stops in the 42-14 win over North Alabama in the Second Round on Nov. 26 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.      

DEAN TIES SCHOOL RECORD FOR CAREER PATS
Matt Dean, a senior from Cleveland, connected on four point-after-attempts in DSU's 28-23 win over North Greenville to tied the school career for point-after-attempts made with 110.  

Dean has connected on 53-of-58 PAT tries this season to tie Trey Crum (2003-2004) for the school record with 110.  The 53 made PATs rank fourth on the single season charts.  

Jerry Barnes, a senior safety from Oakland, Calif., has picked up his play duirng the postseason, leading the Statesmen with 14 tackles, including nine stops in DSU's 28-23 win over North Greenville.  Barnes has recorded 71 tackles this season with 3.0 tackles-for-loss, three interceptions and five pass break-ups.   

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.  

TARGETS A PLENTY
Senior quarterback Micah Davis has to be one of the luckiest signal-callers in the country, as the Wesson, Miss., native has connected with 20 different receivers this season.  Led by Chance Dennis (69) and Tim Smith (42), 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 and a reception by Lamar Young off a deflection in DSU's win over North Greenville.   

50 AND COUNTING CLUB
Five Statesmen defenders have totaled at least 50 tackles this season. Sophomore linebacker Ixavier Triplett has posted a team-leading 72 tackles entering the postseason. The rest of list is made up of seniors.

STATESMAN	2011 TACKLES	CAREER TACKLES
Ixavier Triplett, LB	72	112
Jerry Barnes, SS	71	130
Melvin Griffin, LB	66	113
Robbie Mayers, DT	65	79
Robert Hogan, LB	58	172
Mark Hoskins, DE	52	104

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 (48), running back Rafael Mitchell (47) and corner Dominique Davenport (47) lead the way with the most games played.  The 30+ Club is below.

PLAYER - GAMES
Robert Hogan - 48
Dominique Davenport - 47
Rafael Mitchell - 47
Jacob Sesma - 43
Kendall Hunter - 40
Matt Dean - 39

LUCAS TOPS 3,000 CAREER ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
Junior running back/return specialist Brandon Lucas topped the 3,000 career all-purpose yards mark with his 102-yard performance in the 28-23 win over North Greenville in the NCAA Quarterfinal.  Lucas rushed for 42 yards and returned three kicks for 60 against the Crusaders.

Lucas has accumulated 3,067 all-purpose yards in his two seasons at Delta State.  In 27 games, Lucas has rushed for 1,502 yards, grabbed 239 yards receiving.  He has amassed 450 yards on punt returns and 876 yards on kickoff returns.   

Lucas, who has tallied 1,673 yards in 12 games this season, ranks seventh on the all-time chart.  Three-time All-American Trevar Deed holds the school and GSC record with 5,144 yards.   

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 42.1 yards per punt.  Jones has boomed a league-high 12 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 41 times this season for 1,725 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.

Jones was named to the All-GSC First Team and Daktronics All-Super Region II First Team for his efforts on the field this season.