GAME NOTES: ECSU Vikings at No. 2 Delta State University Statesmen
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 2 ranked Statesmen (0-0, 0-0 GSC) of Delta State University open the season Saturday, Aug. 27 against the Vikings (0-0, 0-0 CIAA) of Elizabeth City State University at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network. Matt Jones, J.T. Webb and Clayton Coffman will have the call locally on WMJW 107.5 FM.

Delta State is opening the 2011 season at home for the first time since the 2006 season, a 61-0 victory over West Virginia Tech (NAIA). In fact, the game marks just the third home opener for the Statesmen since 2000 and the first against an NCAA Division II opponent since the 1993 campaign. DSU defeated Southwest Baptist 20-0 in that contest. In all, DSU is 40-34-4 in season openers all-time.

The Statesmen and Vikings are meeting for just the second time in series history. DSU defeated ECSU 17-10 in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. Former All-American Scott Eyster rallied DSU from a 10-0 first half deficit to claim the win in Elizabeth City, N.C.

Delta State enters the 2011 season ranked unanimously in the top five in all of the major NCAA Division II polls. The Statesmen hold down the No. 2 spot in the American Football Coaches Association and Lindy's Preseason Magazine Top 25 polls, while sitting at No. 5 in The Sporting News Magazine Preseason Top 25.

The Gulf South Conference annual Preseason Coaches' Poll once again had the Statesmen (14) picked to repeat as league champions. North Alabama (12) was tabbed second followed by Valdosta State (11), West Alabama (9) and West Georgia (4). 

Six Statesmen were named to the GSC's annual Preseason All-GSC Team, including quarterback Micah Davis and 2010 GSC Freshman Defender of the Year Ixavier Triplett. The duo was joined by 2010 All-GSC selections Darrell Leopold (C) and Dominique Davenport (CB). New to the squad this year are Chance Dennis (WR) and Joe Marshall (DE).

Senior corner back Dominique Davenport enters the 2011 season needing just five interceptions to eclipse the school's career record of 13. Former All-American Monterio James needed just three seasons (2003-2006) to establish the current record. Davenport currently has nine.

Delta State welcomed 44 new players to the 2011 roster, including 10 NCAA Division I and two NCAA Division II transfers.

Entering its 35th year, the Statesmen are 120-71-7 all-time at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. DSU boasts a 238-121-15 record all-time at home including the games at Delta Field and Parker Field-McCool Stadium.

DSU fans will want to check their programs, as the Statesmen have had 16 number changes this offseason.

Complete game notes, depth chart and roster are available by clicking on the link above.

DELTA STATE-ELIZABETH CITY STATE KICKOFF 2011 SEASON
The No. 2 ranked Statesmen and the Vikings of Elizabeth City State will officially kickoff the 2011 season, as the two schools meet in the first college football game of the year on Saturday, Aug. 27 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

This year's matchup should be one of the most competitive Division II season openers for the Statesmen in nearly 20 years. In fact, the game marks just the third home opener for the Statesmen since 2000 and the first against a Division II opponent since 1993, a 20-0 victory over Southwest Baptist.

STATESMEN-VIKINGS TAKE TWO
The Statesmen and Vikings are meeting for the second time in school history. The game came about after the NCAA granted ECSU and DSU a waiver to begin the season on Aug. 27 after the Vikings lost a game with St. Paul's College, who dropped football this spring. DSU will travel to Elizabeth City next year.

The Statesmen and Vikings have met just once on the gridiron with DSU claiming a 17-10 come-from-behind victory at Roebuck Stadium in the first round of the 2006 NCAA playoffs. Former All-American Scott Eyster led the Statesmen to 17 unanswered, second half points while throwing for 290 yards and a touchdown in the win.

WEEK ONE TO FEATURE MAJOR NATIONAL SHOWDOWNS
Defending National Champion and top-ranked Minnesota-Duluth gets an early test as they take on No. 8 Augustana (S.D.). The Bulldogs went a perfect 15-0 last season while Augustana finished 11-2.

The No. 12 Vulcans of California (Pa.), who finished 10-2 last season, host No. 13 St. Cloud State, who finished 12-3. No. 14 Wingate will host GSC-member and No. 20 Valdosta State.

Finally, No. 7 Texas A&M-Kingsville travels to play No. 22 Central Washington in a huge opening week of DII college football.

STATESMEN IN SEASON OPENERS
Delta State owns a 40-34-4 record in season openers. The Statesmen have traditionally opened their seasons against NCAA FCS member schools.

In an ironic twist of fate, Delta State's showdown with Elizabeth City State marks the first home NCAA DII opponent for the Statesmen since the 1993 season, a 20-0 win over Southwest Baptist.

Delta State's last win on opening day came at Jackson State in 2007 when they upset the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school by a score of 27-15.

McCool Stadium last hosted a season opener for the Statesmen in 2006, defeating WVU-Tech (NAIA), 61-0. Delta State has won its last four season openers played at home, dating back to 1986 against Southern Arkansas. In that time, they also defeated Mississippi Valley State (FCS, formally known as Division I-AA) 25-3 in 2001.

INSIDE PARKER FIELD-McCOOL STADIUM
Over the years, Parker Field-McCool Stadium has been a very successful place for the Statesmen. In its 35 year history, the Statesmen are 120-71-7, while DSU boasts an all-time record of 238-121-15.

In head coach Ron Roberts' first four seasons, the Statesmen have posted a 20-3 record at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.

WELCOME TO THE DELTA
Delta State will feature 44 new players this season, including 10 NCAA Division I and two NCAA Division II transfers. The infusion of new talent will certainly help the Statesmen at the receiver, running back and line spots offensively; while the defense has seen a new crop of linebackers and defensive backs swarm Cleveland this summer.

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 on Tuesday 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 Tripplett.

Davis, a Consensus Draft Services All-American, led the Statesmen to an appearance in the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship game and a share of the school's fifth Gulf South Conference title last season after throwing for over 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns.

The Wesson native completed 336 of 517 passes for 4,097 with 33 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He established single season records for completions, completion percentage (65.0), attempts, total offense yardage (4,289) and passing yardage. In fact, his 4,097 passing yards marked the first time a Statesmen quarterback topped the 4,000 yard plateau.

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 led by Tripplett, the first freshman in school history to tally 100 tackles in a season. The sophomore from Scott, Miss., totaled 100 tackles on the season with 12.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, and seven pass break-ups.

Senior defensive back and returning Second Team All-GSC selection Dominique Davenport and defensive tackle Joe Marshall were also named to the defensive unit. Davenport finished last season with 53 tackles and five interceptions while Marshall racked up 55 stops, 13 tackles-for-loss and a team-high 6.0 sacks.

STATESMEN OPEN SEASON RANKED NO. 2 IN AFCA TOP 25
The Delta State University Statesmen football team will begin the 2011 season ranked No. 2 nationally, as the American Football Coaches Association officially released its AFCA Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll on Monday.

Minnesota-Duluth, fresh off of its second national championship in 2010, opens up 2011 as the preseason favorite to win the national championship. This is the first time since the AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll started in 2000 that the Bulldogs have begun the season ranked No. 1.

2010 national runner-up Delta State (Miss.) starts the season at No. 2, followed by No. 3 Northwest Missouri State, who received one first-place vote, No. 4 Abilene Christian (Texas) and No. 5 Grand Valley State (Mich.). There will be four Top 25 matchups in the first week of action, including a Top 10 battle as No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth travels to No. 8 Augustana (S.D.).

DENNIS TO ANCHOR RECEIVING CORPS
Senior Chance Dennis will takeover for fellow Houston, Texas native L.J. Castile this season as the anchor for the Statesman receiving corps. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound speedster caught 52 passes for 807 yards and four touchdowns last season. Dennis had a career-high six receptions for 114 yards at UAM and tied the mark with six grabs for 86 yards at Lambuth. In the national championship game, he caught five passes for 63 yards.

WITH THREE STARTERS BACK, O-LINE READY TO PAVE WAY IN 2011
Any quality football team is built upon a solid front line offensively and defensively. For the Statesmen, the anchor of the offense starts up front with the return of All-GSC and Second Team All-South Region center Darrell Leopold (6-2/305). Joining Leopold are returning starters at left tackle Harrison Lauer (6-5/295) and right tackle Kendall Hunter (6-6/340). The trio combined to start 45 games last season and combined to grade out at 93 percent for the season.

DAVIS NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN; HARLON HILL IN SIGHT
A year after leading the Statesmen to the national championship game, senior quarterback Micah Davis is ready to build on last season's successes, but erase the mistakes that kept the green-and-white from hoisting the trophy.

Davis, who was named a preseason All-American by Consensus Draft Services and All-GSC by a vote of the league's coaches, spent the 2010 season rewriting the Statesmen quarterbacking record book, becoming the first DSU signal-caller to eclipse the 4,000-yard mark. In 15 games, Davis completed 336 of 517 passes for 4,097 yards with 33 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

Along the journey, Davis topped school records for completions, attempts, yards, completion percentage, total offense yards and yards passing in a debut.

VETERANS AND NEWCOMERS GIVE D-STATE DEEP RECEIVING CORPS
Led by preseason All-GSC receiver Chance Dennis, the Statesmen boast one of the deepest receiving corps in recent memory.

Seniors Bill Franks (5-8/175), Carlton Ollie (5-11/178) and Tim Smith (6-0/197) all spent time in the starting rotation last year. Franks, a transfer from East Mississippi CC, caught 36 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns to finish fifth on the team in receptions. Smith, a speedy possession receiver, added 16 receptions for 302 yards and a score. Smith's 18.9 yards per catch average was tops amongst receivers last year. Ollie closed last year with 19 grabs for 226 yards and a pair of scores.

Newcomers will also play a major role in the 2011 campaign with the addition of Lavon Downs (6-1/185/Fullerton College), Erick Clayton (6-1/207/Butte CC), Jamel Gandy (5-9/160/Mississippi State), Kevin Jackson (6-3/185/College of the Sequoias), DeJarrius Adams (6-2/205/Univ. of Memphis) and D.J. Holley (6-3/190/Auburn HS).

WHO WILL TOTE THE MAIL?
Depth at running back could be an issue for the Statesmen, although their is plenty of talent on the roster. With Brandon Lucas' return in doubt, seniors Rafael Mitchell (5-8/170) and Clint Farrar (5-9/185) have the experience while a wealth of talented backs compete for carries.

As for the newcomers, transfers Brant Botill (5-10/215/College of Sequoias), Richard Freelon (6-0/205/Jacksonville State), Avery Horn (5-10/195/Michigan/Reedly College), and Bryce McBride (5-8/200/Mt. San Antonio College) are all expected to make a major impact on the Statesmen run game.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
When browsing over his depth chart for the 2011 season opener versus Elizabeth City State defensive coordinator Pete Golding will be pleased to see 15 returners in starting roles or in backup spots. All 11 projected defensive starters contributed to DSU's run to the 2010 Division II National Championship game.

THREE ALL GSC PLAYERS RETURN FOR GOLDING'S DEFENSE
The 2011 Statesmen defense features two members of the All-Gulf South Conference Preseason Team. Defensive end Joe Marshall returns after a stellar debut season in which he led all Statesmen defensive linemen with 55 total tackles. The Youngstown State transfer led the team with 13 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks.

2010 GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year Ixavier Triplett also returns after perhaps one of the best opening seasons in the history of DSU football. Triplett ranked second on the team with 100 total tackles. The redshirt sophomore also ranked second on the team with 12 tackles for loss.
Also returning for the Statesmen is 2008 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Dominique Davenport. The senior had a career best 53 tackles and five interceptions in 2010. The Baldwyn native also led the team with 15 passes defended.

BROTHERS FROM ANOTHER MOTHER
While Melvin and Ken Griffin aren't bound by blood, the two Statesmen will be heavily relied upon in 2011. The latter recorded 16 tackles in 12 games from his outside linebacker spot, while Melvin had 47 total stops, including 4.5 for loss and two sacks.

While he didn't record more tackles than Melvin in 2010, Ken is able to brag that he hails from the same hometown (Philadelphia, Miss.) as high school football legend Marcus Dupree. The Statesmen defense also features Jerry and Kenny Barnes, who are also not related.

BIG SHOES TO FILL
Projected starter at the nitro, Kenny Barnes, has some big shoes to fill during his second season at DSU. Last season's nitro, Garrett Williams, recorded a team high 130 tackles and lead the team with eight interceptions. Barnes had a solid freshman season, as he totaled 35 stops, including three tackles for loss.

FAST OFF THE START LINE
The 2010 Statesmen defense got off to a slow start, as the unit gave up over 500 yards in two of its first five games. Golding's charges allowed over 500 yards three times, and over 400 four times, to finish the regular season allowing 412.8 yards.

DSU saved its best defensive football for the NCAA Playoffs, allowing under 300 yards twice and no more than 358 yards in any of the four games.

FRESH MEAT
Freshmen linebackers Rory Island and Caleb Smith are each expected to earn playing time at respective linebacker spots.

Island was named region 8-4A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Bay High School in Bay St. Louis, while Smith was named Second Team All-State out of Clinton High School. Smith carries the distinct honor of wearing No. 41, which is the former number of NCAA Division II sacks leader and former Statesman Michael Eubanks.

Freshman defensive end Isiah Corbett will also see plenty of time during his debut season. The Belle Glade, Fla., native racked up 108 tackles and 14 quarterback sacks in his senior season at Glade Central High School

NEW LOOK, BETTER PRODUCTION
The Delta State special teams squad will be looking for an identity this season as punter Tyler Caldwell has moved on and the kicking game will be looking to step out of last season's shadow. DSU shattered the kick return record book last year and junior transfer Kevin Jackson hopes to pick up where Maurice Moore left off last season.

JONES TAKES OVER PUNTING DUTIES
Caldwell vacated the punting spot after a solid year that saw a 43 yard average including a 10 punts go over 50 yards including a long of 72. Andrew Jones looks to have asserted himself into the spot after a good fall camp. Jones, a junior, has been on the squad for two seasons but has yet to see action on the field for the Statesmen. In high school, Jones averaged just less than 40 yards a punt, with a long of 69.

KICKING BY COMMITTEE
The kicking game could see a battle this season, similar to last year, with the hopes of moving forward. Last year's kickers, Matt Dean and Matt Snyder, are both returning. Both went 6 of 10 on field goal attempts last season. Dean also had four field goal attempts blocked. The two combined to miss 13 of 59 extra point attempts as well. Snyder missed six with four being blocked, while Dean missed seven with five being blocked.

Both also made clutch kicks in key moments last season. Dean made a 48-yard field goal that proved to be the game winner over Arkansas Tech. Snyder hit a 27-yard field goal to tie the game against Minnesota-Duluth with 2:22 remaining in the National Championship game.

In fall camp, the addition of freshman Jack Tharp to the team has led to a three way battle for the job. Tharp comes out of high school as one of Mississippi's top high school kicking prospects. Tharp connected on 89 percent of field goal attempts last season at Madison-Ridgeland Academy.

With Snyder being injured for much of the fall camp, Dean looks to be the starter going into the season.

STATESMEN SPECIAL IN THE RETURN GAME
Last season's Delta State return teams were simply special. Record-setting kick returner Maurice Moore, who shattered the DSU and GSC single season return yardage records, graduated in May.

In his place steps former College of the Sequoias standout Kevin Jackson. The 6-foot-3 speedster will handle all kick returns, while junior Mississippi State transfer Jamel Gandy slides into the punt returner role.