GAME NOTES: No. 3/6 Delta State Statesmen at Henderson State Reddies (9.24.11)
Complete Weekly Release in PDF

CLEVELAND, MISS. - The No. 3/No. 6 ranked Statesmen (3-1, 0-0 GSC) of Delta State University conclude their 2,577-mile odyssey across the south on Saturday, Sept. 24, as the Reddies (1-2, 1-1 GAC) of Henderson State University play host to the green-and-white.  Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium in Arkadelphia, Ark. 

The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 2 p.m. with the “DSU Alumni Association Statesmen Game Day Report.” Matt Jones, J.T. Webb and Clayton Coffman will have the call.

Delta State and Henderson State, a former member of the Gulf South Conference, are meeting for the 25th time in series history.  The Statesmen lead the all-time series 19-4-1, but the Reddies have made the series interesting in the last three meetings.  HSU claimed a 16-13 overtime win the last time DSU traveled to Arkadelphia in 2006.  DSU has had great success in Arkadelphia, sporting an 8-3 record.    

With a victory Saturday over the Reddies of Henderson State, the Statesmen will claim their 100th victory all-time versus the state of Arkansas.    DSU is 99-44-3 all-time against the “Natural State.”

Coach Ron Roberts and thousands of college coaches across the country will participate in Coach to Cure MD through the American Football Coaches Association.  To donate $5 please text “CURE” to 90999 or visit CoachtoCureMD.org today.

The Statesmen are coming off a 47-32 victory at Arkansas Tech last Saturday, while the Reddies fell 17-13 to Southwest Oklahoma State.  DSU needed three quarters to find its ryhthm Saturday at ATU, but outscored the Wonder Boys 20-6 in the 4th quarter to seal the win.  The Statesmen held the vaunted ATU rushing attack to a meager 36 yards on 25 carries.   

Senior wide receiver Chance Dennis was named the GSC Offensive Player of the Week after hauling in 12 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs.  Dennis leads the GSC in receptions (28), receiving yards (390) and touchdowns (5) heading in to the HSU game.

Robbie Mayers and Anthony Daniels proved to be unlikely pass receivers, picking off two Preston Condor passes in the win over Tech.  The duo finished with the same stat line - three tackles, one sack, one TFL, and an interception. 

DSU's offense topped the 500-yard mark for a second consecutive week with 532 yards at Arkansas Tech.  The Statesmen ran for 113 yards and passed for 419.  Micah Davis completed 34-of-60 passes for 419 yards and four scores.      

Senior quarterback Micah Davis, who has completed 92 of 166 passes for 1,269 yards and 10 touchdowns climbed to No. 4 on the all-time passing charts with his 290-yard effort at Northwestern State.  The Wesson native has added 708 yards the last two weeks at FVSU and ATU to push his career total to 5,366 yards passing in just two seasons.  He is only the fourth Statesmen quarterback to eclipse 5,000 career yards.  Scott Eyster (2003-2006) holds the school's all-time record with 13,889 yards passing. 

Dominique Davenport, a 5-foot-10, 188-pound defensive back, is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading Delta State to a 47-32 victory at Arkansas Tech University last Saturday.  Behind Davenports' play, the Statesmen gave up 263 yards of total offense and shutdown the Wonder Boys in the decisive 4th quarter.  

Davenport, a four-year letter-winner and one of the all-time greats in the Statesman secondary, has totaled 19 tackles this season to rank third on unit.  He also has 2.0 tackles-for-loss and one pass break-up.  Against Arkansas Tech, Davenport had an interception negated by a penalty, while finishing the game with four tackles and two tackles-for-loss.  

The Baldwyn native has played in and started 38 career games.  He has amassed 140 career tackles, 91 unassisted and 49 assisted, with 5.0 tackles-for-loss and 26 passes defended.  His nine career interceptions rank fourth in school history and he needs five more to become Delta State's career leader.  

STATESMEN & REDDIES CONTINUE RIVALRY
What was once a one-sided series dominated by the Statesmen has developed into one of the South's premier Division II showdowns and this week the rivalry continues as the Reddies of Henderson State welcome in Delta State to Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.  

Delta State owns a commanding 19-4-1 lead in the series, but the last three games have been nothing short of legendary.  In 2006, the Statesmen lost a 16-13 overtime thriller at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.  

In coach Ron Roberts' first career home game, All-American Jamarcus Wiggins blocked two HSU field goals in the waning moments of the game to preserve a 9-7 Statesmen win while last season DSU prevailed in a 41-37 shootout at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.   

GREEN-AND-WHITE CONCLUDE GRUELING SEPTEMBER STRETCH
The Statesmen will certainly feel akin to Mel Gibson's Mad Max character after traveling over 2,577 miles and playing four straight games on the road.

DSU began the swing with a 511-mile round trip journey to Natchitoches, La., a 24-23 heartbreaking loss to Northwestern State.  DSU then claimed back-to-back wins at Fort Valley State (1,016 miles) 27-7 and Arkansas Tech (544 miles) 47-32.   

The Statesmen conclude “Gulliver's” travels with a short 506-mile jaunt over to Henderson State this Sarurday.  

AROUND THE GSC
No. 6 Delta State (3-1) continues “Ole Home Week” by making the trip to Arkadelphia, Ark., to play former GSC foe Henderson State (1-2). The Statesmen are coming off a 47-32 victory over Arkansas Tech. Henderson State was defeated last week Southwestern Oklahoma 17-13.

West Alabama (2-1) visits Arkansas Tech (1-2). The Tigers beat Central Baptist 45-7 last week, and Arkansas Tech lost to the Statesmen 47-32.

No. 2 North Alabama (3-0) fresh off a win over Abilene Christian hosts Harding (2-1) this week. North Alabama beat Abilene Christian in Cowboys Stadium 23-17 last week. Harding destroyed Shepherd Technical College 75-0 in its last game.

No. 5 Valdosta State (3-0) hosts the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas (1-2). The Blazers defeated Albany State last weekend 30-27.  Southern Arkansas lost to Southeastern Oklahoma State last week 24-21.

The Conference weekend wraps up with West Georgia (1-1) facing Arkansas-Monticello (2-1) at home. The Wolves defeated Miles last week 23-20. Arkansas-Monticello defeated Ouachita Baptist last weekend 38-20.

AROUND THE NATION
Only one game between top-25 teams takes place this week. No.11 Minnesota-Duluth (2-1) takes on No. 24 Bemidji State (3-0). Defending national champion Minnesota-Duluth is looking to rebound after falling to Wayne State last weekend 7-0. Bemidji State defeated Southwest Minnesota State 41-10 to make their first appearance this season in the AFCA Top-25.

A number of losses has shook up the AFCA Top-25 poll up this week. The GSC benefited, and now the conference holds three of the top six spots. Duluth fell from No. 1 to No. 11 with their loss. Grand Valley State lost its second game of the season and fell from No. 15 all the way out of the top-25. Texas A&M-Kingsville fell from No. 5 to No. 16 after they lost to West Texas A&M 42-21. St. Cloud State lost 29-16 to Winona State, and fell from No. 9 to No. 18.

SWEET SEPTEMBER
The Statesmen are looking to continue their winning ways in September on Saturday at Henderson State.  Delta State is 131-73-6 all-time in September and 2-1 so far this year.

STATESMEN OUT WONDER THE BOYS
It took the Delta State football team three quarters to find its stride, as the Statesmen out-wondered the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys 47-32 last week in Russellville, Ark.  DSU outscored ATU 20-6 in the 4th and decisive quarter in the win.  

Delta State rolled up 532 yards of total offense, including 419-yards passing and four touchdowns from senior Harlon Hill candidate Micah Davis.  The Statesmen also held ATU to 263 yards of offense, while surrendering a touchdown on a kickoff return and an interception return for a touchdown.    

Chance Dennis, a 6-foot-3 wide receiver, torched the Arkansas Tech secondary for 155 yards and three touchdowns last Saturday in Delta State's 47-32 victory over the Wonder Boys.  Monday, the senior was rewarded for his efforts with the Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week Award.  It's the first career honor for Dennis and the first this season for a Statesman.  

The Houston, Texas native finished the night with 12 receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns, all career-highs and all highs this season for a Statesman receiver.  

Dennis leads the Statesmen and the GSC with 28 receptions for 390 yards and five touchdowns.  His 97.5 yards per game average is also tops in the GSC.   In 18 career games, Dennis has caught 80 passes for 1,197 yards and eight touchdowns.  He needs four receptions to jump into the career receptions list at Delta State.

AGAINST THE GAC
The Statesmen enjoyed a successful debut against the newly formed Great American Conference last Saturday at Arkansas Tech with a 47-32 victory.  The green-and-white have three games remaining against GAC schools, including Henderson State (9.24), Ouachita Baptist (10.1) and Arkansas-Monticello (10.6).    

DSU LOOKING FOR 100th VERSUS NATURAL STATE
Delta State is 99-44-3 all-time against teams from the state of Arkansas.  Coach Ron Roberts has continued that success with a 18-3 record against the “Natural State.”

ROBERTS ON THE ROAD
In his four previous seasons as head coach of the Statesmen, coach Ron Roberts has amassed a 17-10 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 2-1 mark this year.

ON THE MARCH TO THE GREEN ZONE
The Statesmen offense is ranked among he conference leaders in multiple statistical categories. The Statesmen lead the conference in total offense with 1,960 yards through four games (490.0 ypg). The Statesmen also lead the conference in passing offense, with 1,312 yards (332.0 ypg) coming through the air.    

In the last two games, the Statesmen have rolled up yardage like a combine does beans with 1,099 yards.  Delta State torched the Wildcats of FVSU with 567 yards and turned off the Wonder Boys magic with 532 last week at Arkansas Tech.  

DSU has been over 400-yards in every game this season with 421 yards at Northwestern State and 440 yards at Parker Field-McCool Stadium versus Elizabeth City State.  

BRINGING THE PAIN
Like the offense, the Statesmen defense is also highly rated in the GSC. They are ranked No. 1 in total defense, giving up just 267.8 yards per game. The Statesmen are also ranked as the best rushing defense in the conference allowing just 87.5 yards per game on the ground. DSU has been just as stingy through the air allowing just 180.2 passing yards per game.  The defense's 13 sacks also top the Gulf South Conference.

LET ME TELL YOU 'BOUT MY BEST FRIENDS
Statesmen quarterback Micah Davis completed passes to nine different receivers during the 47-32 victory over the Arkansas Tech Wonderboys. Not only did Chance Dennis have a career day with 12 catches for 133 yards and three scores, DeJarrius Adams hauled in a career high eight catches for 61 yards. Tim Smith also hauled in five catches for the Statesmen in the win. Davis has completed passes to 16 different receivers this season.

GIVE THEM AN INCH AND THEY TAKE A MILE
For the second straight week, the Delta State University Statesmen offense gained over 500 total yards. In the 27-7 victory over Fort Valley State, DSU racked up 567 total yards, including 219 rushing yards. Offensive coordinator Greg Stevens  helped guide the Statesmen to a 532 yard effort over Arkansas Tech, which included 419 passing yards for quarterback Micah Davis. The Statesmen rank first in the Gulf South Conference, as they average 490 yards per game.

MR. 5000
Senior quarterback Micah Davis, who has completed 92 of 166 passes for 1,269 yards and 10 touchdowns, climbed to No. 4 on the all-time passing charts with his 290-yard effort at Northwestern State.  In the last two weeks, the Wesson native has added 708 yards (289 at FVSU and 419 at ATU) to push his career total to 5,366 yards passing.   

His 419-yard effort, on 34-of-60 attempts, made the former Copiah-Lincoln Community College standout just the fourth Statesmen quarterback to eclipse 5,000 career yards.  Scott Eyster (2003-2006) holds the school's all-time record with 13,889 yards passing.

LUCAS DOES IT ALL
Senior Brandon Lucas racked up big yards against Arkansas Tech this past week. Lucas had 299 all-purpose yards for the game. Those yards included 63 rushing on 15 carries, two catches for 23 yards, 154 kick return yards, and 59 yards on punt returns.

RETURNS A PLENTY
For his career so far, Lucas has returned 40 punts for 410 yards with an average return of 10.2 yards. His total of 410 yards puts him 4th on the all-time list at Delta State for return yards.  In the kick return game this season, Lucas has returned 11 kickoffs for 311 yards with an average return of 28.3 yards.

SUCCESSFUL BOOT
Cleveland native Matt Dean connected on two field goals last Saturday at Arkansas Tech. The senior place kicker hit attempts from 21 and 26 yards in the Statesmen's 47-32 win. He is 3-of-5 this season and 16 of 29 for his career.

CLEAR THE ROAD
Fullbacks Jamarcus Jackson and Avery Horn and the Statesmen tight ends (Dex Hopkins, Jacob Sesma and Reed Falkner) have been outstanding paving the way for Delta State's running attack. DSU has averaged 173.0 rush yards through four games. Horn and Sesma had two key blocks during Richard Freelon's touchdown run in the fourth quarter last Saturday against Arkansas Tech.

AN UNLIKELY OCCURENCE
Normally defensive backs intercept passes. That wasn't the case last Saturday as Statesmen defensive lineman Anthony Daniels and Robbie Mayers each intercepted passes deep in Arkansas Tech territory. Daniels' pick came after a corner blitz while Mayers got his in zone pass coverage.

LUCAS JOINS 1,000-YARD CLUB
Junior running back Brandon Lucas joined the 1,000-yard career rushing club with 71 yards on the ground at Fort Valley State.  In 19 career games, the Covington, Ga., native has rushed for 1,098 yards on 171 carries with 12 touchdowns.  

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 140 career stops in 38 games, while senior linebacker Robert Hogan has tallied 132 in 39 starts.  Sophomore standout Ixavier Triplett has 125 in just 19 games and is on pace to challenge for the Delta State career record.  

DEAN CLIMBS TO FOURTH ON THE CAREER PAT CHART
Matt Dean, a senior from Cleveland, connected on five point-after-attempts in DSU's 47-32 victory at Arkansas Tech last Saturday.  The five PATs give the senior 71 for his career and moved him up to fourth on the career charts.  Trey Crum (2003-2004) holds the school record with 110.  

STATESMEN IN SEASON OPENERS
Delta State improved to 41-34-4 record in season openers with its 28-21 overtime victory against Elizabeth City State.  Trailing 21-7, the Statesmen rallied for 21 unanswered points en route to the win.  

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 121-71-7, while DSU boasts an all-time record of 239-121-15.  In head coach Ron Roberts' tenure, the Statesmen have posted a 21-3 record at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

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 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 Triplett.

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 including Triplett. Senior All-GSC defensive back Dominique Davenport and defensive tackle Joe Marshall were also named to the defensive unit.