GAME NOTES: No. 25 Ouachita Baptist (3-0) at No. 3/6 Delta State (4-1)
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Saturday's game with OBU will be the culmination of the 26th annual Pig Pickin' Festival at Delta State.  Over the last 10 years, over 75,000 people have returned to DSU for the event.  BBQ tickets are $6 with game tickets priced at $10.  For more information, go to GoStatesmen.com.  

Delta State and Ouachita Baptist, a former member of the Gulf South Conference, are meeting for the 22nd time in series history.  The Statesmen lead the all-time series 17-4. The Statesmen are 3-1 against the Tigers under coach Ron Roberts, including a 33-27 come-from-behind victory in Arkadelphia, Ark., at A.U. Williams Field last season.        

With last Saturday's 34-31 victory over the Reddies of Henderson State, the Statesmen claimed their 100th victory all-time versus the state of Arkansas.    DSU is 100-44-3 all-time against the “Natural State.”

Coach Ron Roberts earned his 40th career victory at Henderson State last week, as the Statesmen came from behind to defeat the Reddies 34-31 at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.  The Statesmen are 40-14 in Roberts' five seasons as head coach with three Gulf South Conference titles and three NCAA Division II Football Playoffs appearances.  Roberts led the Statesmen to a 2010 NCAA DII National Runner-up finish and an 11-4 overall record.    

The Statesmen are playing their first game against a ranked opponent this Saturday versus Ouachita Baptist (3-0), who enter the weekend ranked No. 25 in the AFCA Top 25.  DSU is 10-6 against Division II ranked opponents in the Roberts era.  

Delta State enters the weekend ranked No. 1 in the GSC in total offense (462.8) and total defense (293.2).  The Statesmen rank first in 14 team and individual categories heading into the OBU matchup.

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 116-of-200 passes for 1,438 yards with 11 TDs and five INTs.  His 287.7 yards passing per game ranks first in the GSC and 20th nationally.  He is also tops in the GSC in total offense at 285.0 ypg.       

Statesmen defensive back Dwight Tillman enjoyed one of his best career performances last week at Henderson State with four tackles and two interceptions.  The two INTs helped propel DSU to the 34-31 win.    

STATESMAN TO WATCH: Dwight Tillman - Senior - Corner
Dwight Tillman, a 5-foot-11, 188-pound defensive back, is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading Delta State (4-1) to a 34-31 victory at Henderson State University last Saturday.  Tillman picked off two Kevin Rogers passes to set the Statesmen up on scoring drives that sparked the come-from-behind win.

Tillman, a transfer from the University of Minnesota, set a career-high with his two interceptions Saturday and currently leads the team in the category.  The Baltimore, Md., native has totaled 14 tackles this season with 1.0 tackles-for-loss and a sack.  He has also defended two passes and picked off two with over 51 return yards.  Tillman recorded a season-high six tackles at Northwestern State earlier this year.  

The two-year starter has recorded 65 tackles with 6.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks in his 20 game career.  He has tallied three career interceptions and 13 passes defended during that same time span.  


DELTA STATE - OUACHITA BAPTIST SERIES
The Statesmen and Tigers are meeting for the 22nd time in series history this Saturday, Oct. 1 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium with kickoff set for 6 p.m.

Delta State has dominated the series over the years, holding a 17-4 edge in series standings and 3-1 since coach Ron Roberts took over in 2007. The series dates back to the 1937 season when the Statesmen defeated OBU 13-6 at Delta Field.  

ALL-TIME TIGERS-STATESMEN RESULTS
1937    Delta State 13 vs. Ouachita Baptist 6
1938    Delta State 0 vs. Ouachita Baptist 12
1950    Delta State 27 vs. Ouachita Baptist 0
1951    Delta State 12 @ Ouachita Baptist 0
1959    Delta State 21 @ Ouachita Baptist 7
1960    Delta State 27 vs. Ouachita Baptist 6
1961    Delta State 26 @ Ouachita Baptist 19
1979    Delta State 17 @ Ouachita Baptist 35
1980    Delta State 7 vs. Ouachita Baptist 0
1982    Delta State 31 vs. Ouachita Baptist 14
1983    Delta State 21 @ Ouachita Baptist 17
1984    Delta State 34 vs. Ouachita Baptist 24
2002    Delta State 25 @ Ouachita Baptist 35
2003    Delta State 45 vs. Ouachita Baptist 21
2004    Delta State 42 @ Ouachita Baptist 10
2005    Delta State 35 vs. Ouachita Baptist 34
2006    Delta State 34 vs. Ouachita Baptist 6
2007    Delta State 42 @ Ouachita Baptist 10
2008    Delta State 35 vs. Ouachita Baptist 17
2009    Delta State 14 @ Ouachita Baptist 38
2010    Delta State 33 @ Ouachita Baptist 27
 
STATESMEN FACING FIRST RANKED OPPONENT
This week's game versus No. 25 Ouachita Baptist marks the first contest against a ranked opponent this season.  While the Statesmen sit at 4-1 overall, all five previous games were against teams in contention for their respective conference titles.

FAMILIAR FOE ON OPPOSING SIDELINES
Saturday's match-up with Ouachita Baptist will pit the Statesmen versus a former head coach of green-and-white, Todd Knight. Knight guided the Statesmen football program for six year period from 1993-98 and finished his career at DSU with 28-32-2 record. In 1998, Knight guided the Statesmen (8-3) to their only out-right Gulf South Conference title.

In 1999, Knight returned to Arkadelphia, Ark., to guide his alma mater OBU. In 12 seasons at Ouachita Baptist, Knight has compiled a 49-72
mark as head coach.  DSU is 7-2 against its former skipper in the series.  

GRUELING SEPTEMBER STRETCH OVER
The Statesmen end the month of September with 2,577 miles under the belts and a 3-1 record.  DSU capped the “Month of Mad Max” with a 34-31 victory at Henderson State last Saturday, which included a 506-mile round trip to Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.  

DSU CLAIMS 100th WIN VERSUS NATURAL STATE
With last Saturday's 34-31 win at Henderson State, Delta State claimed its 100th win all-time against teams from the state of Arkansas.  The Statesmen are 100-44-3, including a 19-3 record under coach Ron Roberts, all-time against teams from the “Natural State.”  

STATESMEN LOOKING TO CONTINUE STREAK AGAINST THE G.A.C.
Saturday's game with the No. 25 Tigers marks the third consecutive matchup with a team from the Great American Conference.  The Statesmen have enjoyed a successful debut against the newly formed league with back-to-back wins at Arkansas Tech (47-32) and Henderson State (34-31).  The green-and-white have one game remaining against GAC schools, Arkansas-Monticello in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week.

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 coach Roberts' tenure, DSU has posted a 21-3 record at Parker-McCool.  

AROUND THE GSC
No. 6 Delta State (4-1) hosts No. 25 Ouachita Baptist (3-0) on Saturday. The Statesmen got by Ouachita neighbor Henderson State this past Saturday 34-31. Ouachita defeated Texas A&M-Commerce 39-33. It is the first time this season the Statesmen have faced a Top-25 team.

No. 2 North Alabama (4-0) travels to face Southern Arkansas (1-3). North Alabama defeated Harding last weekend 28-20. The Muleriders lost to Valdosta State 38-21.

No. 4 Valdosta State (4-0) hits the road to face Arkansas-Monticello (2-2). The Blazers defeated Southern Arkansas 38-21. Arkansas-Monticello fell to West Georgia this past Saturday 21-5.

West Georgia (2-1) hosts Henderson State (1-3). The Wolves are coming off a win against Arkansas-Monticello 21-5. Henderson State suffered a 34-31 defeat to the Statesmen.

West Alabama (3-1) travels to Searcy, Ark. to play Harding (2-2). West Alabama defeated Arkansas Tech 17-12 this past week. Harding is coming off a narrow loss to North Alabama 28-20

INSIDE DIVISION II
Two top-25 matchups share the spotlight this week. No. 4 Delta State hosts No. 25 Ouachita Baptist. The Statesmen have been ranked in the top-25 all season, while the Tigers make their first appearance in the poll this week.

No. 1 Northwest Missouri State puts their top rating on the line this week against No. 15 Pittsburgh State (Kan.). Northwest Missouri State routed Fort Hays St. (Kan.) last week 70-17.  The Gorillas are coming off a 49-7 victory over William Jewell (Mo.). Northwest Missouri earned 28 of the possible 29 first place votes in the poll this week. The Statesmen earned one first place vote.

STATESMEN IN OCTOBER
The Statesmen will be looking to improve their record in the month of October with games against No. 25 Ouachita Baptist (10.1), UA-Monticello (10.6), No. 2 North Alabama (10.13) and No. 5 Valdosta State (10.22). DSU has had limited success in the month, posting a 157-162-12 in October.  

IN THE POLLS
The Statesmen enter this week's contest against No. 25 OBU ranked in the nation's top 10 for a fourth consecutive week.  DSU currently sits No. 3 in the D2Football.com Top 25 Media Poll and No. 6 in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.  

TILLMAN COMES UP BIG
Senior corner back Dwight Tillman put his area of the field on lockdown this past Saturday at Henderson State. Tillman intercepted two passes as part of six turnovers caused by the Statesmen. So far this season, Tillman has recorded 14 tackles, and one tackle for a loss to go along with his two picks.

GREEN SHIRTS LEADING THE WAY
Delta State's “Green Shirts” defense leads the Gulf South Conference in 14 team and individual  categories heading into this week's game with OBU. The Statesmen are ranked first in total defense giving up 293.2 yards per game.

DSU has been incredibly stingy defending the run, as they rank first giving up just 90.6 yards per game on the ground.   The Statesmen have not allowed a team more than 116 yards rushing in a game this season, including a season low 36 yards on 25 attempts at Arkansas Tech.  

The Statesmen rank second behind West Alabama in passing defense giving up 202.6 yards per game through the air.  Helping the Statesmen pass defense is the fact that they lead the conference with 13 sacks and seven interceptions.  Senior corner Dwight Tillman leads the “Green Shirts” with two INTs, while defensive tackle Robbie Mayers leads the team with 2.5 sacks.  

STATESMEN OFFENSE CLICKING IN THE NONCONFERENCE
Delta State enters week six leading the GSC in total offense at 462.8 yards per game.  In fact, the Statesmen rank in the top five in each of the major offensive statistical categories, including first in pass offense at 299.4 yards per game.  

DSU is second in the league in scoring offense (31.8) behind North Alabama (32.5) and fourth in rush offense (163.4) to West Alabama's league leading 217.3 yards per game.  

DAVIS PACING GSC QBs; RANKS AMONG NCAA ELITE
Senior quarterback Micah Davis continues to lead the GSC in most statistical categories.  The Wesson, Miss. native has completed 116-of-200 passes for 1,438 yards with 11 TDs and five INTs.  His 287.6 yards per game are No. 1 in the GSC.  He also ranks first in total offense at 285.0 yards per game.  

The former Copiah-Lincoln CC transfer tops the GSC charts in passing yardage (1,438), completions (116), attempts (200),  and TDs (11).

Davis' numbers also have him in some elite company nationall.  He currently ranks 25th in total offense in NCAA DII and 49th in QB Efficency (131.6).  His 287.6 yards passing per game stands 17th, while his 1,438 yards passing are second behind West Virginia Wesleyan's Adam Nuegebauer, who has thrown for 1,460 yards.  

DENNIS PRIDE OF THE GSC
Chance Dennis is making the most of his senior season, as the Houston, Texas native leads the GSC in every major receiving category entering week six.

The former Stephen F. Austin transfer has caught 29 passes for 392 yards and five touchdowns through the first five weeks of the season.  All three categories are tops in the GSC and his 78.5 yards receiving per game also stands No. 1 in the pass-happy league.  

In 19 career games, Dennis has grabbed 81 passes for 1,199 yards and nine touchdowns.  He needs just two receptions to break into the career top 15 in receptions at DSU.  

Dennis ranks in the top 60 in the nation in receptions per game (44th) and receiving yards (59th).  His 392 yards receiving stands 14th.  

FREELON PROVIDES WINNING PUNCH AGAIN
Sophomore running back Richard Freelon rushed for 49 yards and scored twice last week at Henderson State. The Bruce, Miss., native has scored four touchdowns in the last three games and is 6th in the Gulf South Conference in points scored per game (4.8). He also is 10th in the conference in rushing (41.0 ypg). In five games, Freelon has rushed 45 times for 208 yards, an average of 4.6 yards per carry.  

WILD BILL GOES WILD
Senior receiver Bill Franks had his best career game in a DSU uniform in the 34-31 win over Henderson State. The State Line, Miss., native hauled in five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. Franks also carried the football two times for 20 yards. Franks currently ranks fourth on the team with 13 catches for 163 yards and one touchdown.

PAID THE COST TO BE THE BOSS
Dominique Davenport continues to have arguably his best season as a collegiate football player. The All-Gulf South Conference selection is currently tied for the team lead with 28 total tackles, including two tackles for loss. The Baldwyn, Miss., also leads the team with four pass break ups. Davenport helped lead the way for the Statesmen defense with nine total tackles and three pass break ups.

HE'S IN THE DEFENSE HELPING BUSINESS
Statesmen punter Andrew Jones has been a weapon all season for the DSU defense. The Corinth, Miss., native currently ranks second in the GSC, averaging 41.2 yards per punt. Jones unleashed a booming 60 yard punt in the victory over Henderson State, which is his career best. Of his 16 punts, four have been inside the 20 and four were 50-plus yards.

HILL GRABS FIRST CAREER INT
Former East Side High star Montavious Hill recorded his first interception as a Statesmen last week against Henderson State. The turnover forced by Hill was one of six on the day for Delta State and it thwarted a first-quarter red-zone possession for the Reddies.

INEXPERIENCE? NOT FOR THESE FRESHMEN
Linebackers T.J. West and Caleb Smith have seen plenty of time on the field this year. Against Henderson State, West recorded four tackles and also forced and recovered a fumble. Smith had a tackle-for-loss and a fumble recovery.

150 MARKS THE SPOT; LUCAS 14th NATIONALLY IN ALL-PURPOSE
Senior running back Brandon Lucas has been racking up yards so far this season. Through five games, Lucas has reached 150 all-purpose yards in all except for one. Lucas had 99 all-purpose yards against Northwestern State.

Lucas recorded 155 yards this past weekend at Henderson State, and had a season high 299 yards the week before against Arkansas Tech. Lucas ranks second in the GSC in all-purpose yards averaging 176.2 yards per game. He also ranks third in rushing, averaging 64.2 yards per game on the ground.

The junior has certainly made a major impact nationally, ranking 14th overall in all-purpose yardage at 175.8 per game.  He is second in the GSC to West Georgia's Ryan Appling, who averages 195.0 per contest.  

MR. 5000
Senior quarterback Micah Davis, who has completed 116-of 200 passes for 1,438 yards and 11 touchdowns, climbed to No. 4 on the all-time passing charts with his 290-yard effort at Northwestern State.  In the last three weeks, the Wesson native has added 877 yards (289 at FVSU/ 419 at ATU/169 at HSU) to push his career total to 5,535 yards passing.   

His 419-yard effort at ATU, 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.

Davis ranks 5th all-time in total offense as well, posting 5,714 career total offense yards in just career games.  

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.  

DAVENPORT CHASING INTERCEPTIONS RECORD
With six games to go in the regular season, Statesmen senior corner Dominique Davenport still has the dream of breaking the career interceptions record at Delta State.  While leading the team with 28 tackles this season, Davenport has yet to record an interception.  

The senior from Baldwyn has nine career INTs and needs five to become the school's career leader.  He currently ranks 4th on the career chart behind Monterio James (13), Jamarcus Wiggins (12), Kim Stewart (10) and Don Fennell (10).  

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 149 career stops in 39 games, while senior linebacker Robert Hogan has tallied 134 in 40 starts.  Sophomore standout Ixavier Triplett has 128 in just 20 games and is on pace to challenge for the Delta State career record.  

GAMES PLAYED MOUNTING UP
The Statesmen feature a veteran-laden ball club with 19 players seeing action in at-least 18 games.  Senior linebacker Robert Hogan (40), running back Rafael Mitchell (39) and corner Dominique Davenport (39) lead the way with the most games played.  A complete list is below. 

PLAYER/GAMES
Robert Hogan - 40
Dominique Davenport - 39
Rafael Mitchell - 39
Jacob Sesma - 35
Matt Dean - 31
Mark Hoskins - 21
Ixavier Triplett - 20
Micah Davis - 20
Brandon Lucas - 20
Jerry Barnes - 20
Melvin Griffin - 20
Dwight Tillman - 20
Robbie Mayers - 20
Anthony Daniels - 19
Matt Snyder - 19
Dex Hopkins - 18
Joe Marshall - 18
Kenny Barnes - 18
Tim Smith - 18

LUCAS JOINS 1,000-YARD RUSHING 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 20 career games, the Covington, Ga., native has rushed for 1,162 yards on 179 carries with 12 touchdowns. He currently ranks 17th all-time at Delta State in career rushing yardage.

LUCAS TOP 2,000 ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
Junior running back Brandon Lucas has topped the 2,000 career all-purpose yards mark in just 20 career games.  The Covington, Ga., native has amassed 2,273 career all-purpose yards in that brief time span.  

The Santa Rosa JC transfer has gotten to that number through a myriad of ways.  A breakdown on Lucas' achievements looks like this:
rushing 1,162; receiving 186; punt returns 410; kick returns 517.

KICKIN' IT TO THE CURB
Cleveland native Matt Dean connected on two field goals and hit all four extra points last Saturday against Henderson State. Dean is second in the GSC in kicker scoring with a 6.6 average and is tied for first with five field goals made.

RETURNS A PLENTY
Brandon Lucas has returned 41 punts for 408 yards with an average return of 10.0 yards in his 20 game career. His total of 410 yards puts him 4th on the all-time list at Delta State for return yards.  In the kick return game,  Lucas has returned 22 career kickoffs for 517 yards with an average return of 23.9 yards.  He leads the GSC this season with a 25.7 ypr average.

AN UNLIKELY OCCURENCE
Normally defensive backs intercept passes. That wasn't the case at Arkansas Tech, 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.

DEAN FOURTH ON THE CAREER PAT CHART
Matt Dean, a senior from Cleveland, connected on four point-after-attempts in DSU's 34-31 victory at Henderson State last week.  The four PATs give the senior 75 for his career and ranks him up to fourth on the career charts.  Trey Crum (2003-2004) holds the school record with 110.  

DEAN ON DOORSTEP OF CAREER SCORING CHARTS
Senior kicker Matt Dean has connected on 18 field goals and 75 extra points in his career, good enough for 129 points scored.  The Cleveland native is on the doorstep of the career scoring charts, needing just three points to crack the list.  

GOOD POSITIONING
Andrew Jones, a senior punter for the Statesmen, has consistantly put the Statesmen in good field position.  Jones ranks second in the GSC in punting at 41.2 yards per punt.  He has nailed four 50-plus yards and has four downed inside the 20 yard line.