Box Score INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Delta State University Statesmen were unable to overcome 16-0 first half deficit despite outscoring the University of Indianapolis in the second half inside Key Stadium at Kiesel Field on Saturday, Nov. 3.
 
The Greyhounds (8-2) opened play with a Klay Fietcher 39-yard kick off return to set up a short field. Fietcher capped off the initial drive with a 13-yard scamper for a touchdown to go ahead of the Green-and-White 6-0. Scott Miller's PAT attempt was blocked by Preston Felder, which put an end his 50 consecutive PAT makes.
 
The Statesmen (3-6) looked to respond on the ensuing drive but the offense stalled out 11 plays later at the UIndy 39 yard line and was forced to punt.
 
Indianapolis constructed a 13-play 69-yard drive that was cut short by Statesmen linebacker Diego Lubin. Lubin brought down Greyhound running back Fietcher for a 1-yard loss inside the red zone to force a 28-yard field goal by Scott Miller that put the Hounds up 9-0 with 11:02 remaining in the second quarter.
 
After a 43-yard kickoff return by wide receiver Lavon Downs to put the Statesmen in good field position, the offense was able to move the ball into field goal range giving Andrew Jones a chance to put Green-and-White on the scoreboard at the 5:57 mark in the first half. Jones pushed the 43-yard field goal attempt wide right.
 
The DSU defense stood tall late in the first half forcing UIndy to punt and allowed the Statesmen a chance to put together a drive before heading into the locker room, but Vince Maida and the Greyhound defense put a stop to the threat by picking off a Spencer Van Brunt pass.
 
Indianapolis quarterback Chris Miller connected with Mar'Quone Edmonds on a 19-yard pass down the middle, setting up another Mills to Edmonds connection for a 5-yard touchdown strike with 00:30 tics left on the clock, to put the Hounds up 16-0 at the half.
 
Van Brunt ended the first half of play going 13-of-19 passing for 73 yards while Downs lead the Statesmen in receiving with five receptions for 52 yards. Richard Freelon led the DSU rushing attack with four carries for 22 yards.
 
Miller connected on 16-of-22 for 164 yards and a touchdown with Edmonds being on the receiving end of eight passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Fietcher tallied 27 yards on just nine carries.
 
UIndy continued its offensive momentum on its first drive of the third quarter, with a Miller to 41-yard field goal, making the score 19-0 with 7:58 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Delta State finally broke onto the scoreboard with a D.J. Jarrin 20-yard field goal. The field goal came on a 9-play 55-yard drive that was spring-boarded by an 18-yard rush by Erik Clayton around the right-end to put the Statesmen into the position narrow the Greyhound lead to 19-3 with 3:57 remaining in the third.
 
The Statesmen defense forced the first three-and-out of the contest on the Hounds ensuing offensive possession and mounted a 9-play 78-yard drive that was capped off by a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Rondreas Truesdale. Van Brunt completed the 2-point conversion to Patrick Bethley closing the UIndy lead down to 19-11 with 14:43 remaining in the fourth.
 
DSU appeared to gain momentum when Trenton Warren recovered a fumble forced by Rory Island at the UIndy 33 yardline, only to give the ball back to the Hounds on a fumble by Bethley that was forced and recovered by Nick Wehby.
 
The Green-and-White forced the Greyhounds to a fourth-and-one midway through the fourth quarter but the Hounds made the perfect play call sending tight end Adam Knies streaking down the middle for a 38-yard pass completion. The completion set up the one-yard touchdown run by Fietcher to extend the Indianapolis lead to 26-11 with 8:09 left.
 
With 2:21 remaining Indianapolis' Fiechter broke out a 61-yard touchdown run up the middle making the score 33-11.
 
Van Brunt connected with Downs on a 10-yard touchdown strike for his first career touchdown pass as a Statesmen bringing the score to 33-18 with 1:39 left to end the scoring. 

Van Brunt finished the night connecting 18-of-34 for 134 and one touchdown, while Downs finished the night with seven receptions for 69 yards and a score.

Mills completed 28-of-37 294 yards and one touchdown with Edmonds hauling in 14 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown.
 
Delta State returns to action on Saturday, November 10, traveling to Shorter University. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 CST with Matt Jones and J.T. Webb broadcasting on the Statesmen Sports Network.