GAME NOTES: North Alabama Lions (2-1) at Delta State Statesmen (1-1) - Sept. 22, 2012
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Statesmen (1-1, 0-0 GSC) of Delta State University open Gulf South Conference play this Saturday, Sept. 22, as they play host to the Lions (2-1, 0-0 GSC) of the University of North Alabama.  Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network and GoStatesmen.com TV starting at 5 p.m. with the DSU Alumni Association Statesmen Game Day Report.  Matt Jones, Rodney Martin and J.T. Webb have the call. 

UNA and DSU have enjoyed a long and heated rivalry as two of the GSC's founding members.  Saturday's clash marks the 56th time the two schools have met on the gridiron with the Lions leading the all-time series 24-30-1. However, the Statesmen have claimed wins in the last three contests, including a 30-24 overtime thriller at UNA and a 42-14 victory in the NCAA playoffs last season.     

The Statesmen, who have claimed the last two Gulf South Conference championships and four in the last five years, were picked to finish third in the annual GSC Preseason Coaches Poll.  DSU received 10 poll points to rank third behind preseason favorite Valdosta State (15) and West Alabama (14).  North Alabama (6) and West Georgia (5) rounded out the poll.        

INSIDE THE HUDDLE
DSU head football coach Jamey Chadwell is in his first season as skipper of the Statesmen and his fourth as a collegiate head coach.  Chadwell, a former East Tennessee State quarterback, is 23-15 all-time, including 20 wins in his last two seasons at North Greenville University.  

Delta State is ranked third in the GSC in total offense with 401.0 yards per game and third in pass offense at 203.0 yards per game.  Defensively, the Statesmen are second in total defense at 281.0 yards allowed per contest. 

Junior quarterback Trevor Wooden is ranked 25th in NCAA DII in total offense at 276.5 yards per game.  The High Springs, Fla., native accounted for 337 yards at Elizabeth City State and 216 yards versus Fort Valley State.  The Missouri State transfer has completed 28-of-55 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 147 yards and another score. 

Lavon Downs, a senior from Avon Park, Fla., leads the Statesmen receiving corps with 12 grabs for 110 yards and a TD.  Downs also averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and 41.0 yards per kick return.   

Junior linebacker Ixavier Triplett enters the season with 194 career tackles, a pace good enough to contend for the school's all-time record. Former Statesmen All-American Lardester Hicks-Green, who ended his career as the GSC's all-time leader, holds the record with 343 tackles.       

Senior Eric Williams, who ranks 2nd in the NCAA in interceptions per game, recorded a career-high two interceptions versus Fort Valley State.  

Sophomore linebacker Diego Lubin enters this week's game versus UNA ranked 22nd in the NCAA in tackles-for-loss.  The Western Kentucky transfer has totaled nine tackles and 4.0 tackles-for-loss in two games this season.            

STATESMAN TO WATCH: Trevor Wooden, QB
Trevor Wooden, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound junior quarterback, is this week's “Statesman to Watch,” as he leads Delta State (1-1) into the Gulf South Conference opener versus the University of North Alabama (2-1) on Saturday, Sept. 22. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. The game marks the 27th annual Pig Pickin festivities at DSU.

The High Springs, Fla., native currently leads the GSC with 200.3 passing yards per game and the Missouri State transfer also leads the GSC with 276.5 yards of total offense per contest.  Wooden has thrown for 406 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions, while also rushing for a team best 147 yards on 29 carries with one touchdown.  

Wooden accounted for 337 yards and three touchdowns in DSU's 26-7 win at Elizabeth City State on Sept. 8 at Roebuck Stadium. 

Versus Top 25: DSU will play three games against teams in the top 25 this season. DSU is 16-6 against DII ranked opponents in the last five years. 

DELTA STATE TO HOST 27th ANNUAL PIG PICKIN'
The Delta State Alumni Association and Department of Athletics  is busy preparing for the 27th Annual Pig Pickin.' This year's event will be held September 21 and 22 at Statesmen Park. The staff has been hard at work preparing for this year's event to ensure that it is a great day for everyone.  Tickets are on sale now for the event! 

BBQ tickets are $6 with game tickets priced at $10.  T-shirts are also available at the Alumni House and Statesmen Park on the day of the game. 

INSIDE THE SERIES: DELTA STATE - NORTH ALABAMA
It's become an annual right of the fall, and Saturday, Sept. 22, the Statesmen (1-1, 0-0) of Delta State University will welcome the Lions (2-1, 0-0 GSC) of the University of North Alabama into Parker Field-McCool Stadium in the Gulf South Conference opener for both schools.

The game marks the 56th meeting all-time between the two GSC rivals. UNA leads the all-time series 30-24-1, but DSU swept the Lions last season with a 30-24 victory in overtime at Braly Municipal Stadium and a 42-14 victory in the second round of the NCAA DII playoffs at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.

Since 2006, the two Division powers have met 11 times with DSU posting a 5-6 mark. In 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011, UNA and DSU have met during the regular and post season.

CHADWELL CAPTURES FIRST WIN AS DSU HEAD COACH
In his second game on the sidelines at DSU, Jamey Chadwell captured his first victory as head coach with a 26-7 win at Elizabeth City State.  It was a win synonymous with Chadwell's career, a balanced defensive effort.  DSU out-gained ECSU 497 to 209, including a balanced 258 rushing and 239 yards passing. 

Trevor Wooden completed 15-of-30 passes for 239 yards with two touchdowns and a interception, while rushing 17 times for 98 yards and another score.  Richard Freelon finished with 11 carries for 85 yards, while Horn closed with six carries for 28 yards and a score.

Lavon Downs had five grabs for 43 yards and touchdown, and Kevin Jackson caught three passes for 94 yards and a score to pace the receiving corps.

All-Gulf South Conference first-team linebacker Ixavier Triplett and the Statesmen defense continued to keep the Vikings off balance in the first-half allowing 83 yards of total offense and held the Vikings to just 1-of-6 on third-down conversions. Triplett and Montavius Hill paced the DSU defense with five tackles each.

Prior to coming to DSU, Chadwell directed a resurgence at North Greenville University where he led the Crusaders to a 22-14 record in his three seasons as head coach. 

In 2011, Chadwell led North Greenville (11-3) to the NCAA Quarterfinals in just third season as head coach of the Crusaders.  NGU also captured South Atlantic Conference scheduling alliance championship and finished the year ranked No. 12 nationally in the American Football Coaches Association DII Top 25, marking the first time an NGU team has garnered a spot in one of the nation's official media/coaches' polls.

In his last two seasons in Tigerville, S.C., Chadwell delivered 20 wins as head coach at NGU, including the 2010 National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship after a win over Campbellsville (Ky.) in the Victory Bowl. 

As an assistant at Charleston Sou., Chadwell helped lead CSU to its first ever Big South Conference title in 2005.

CHADWELL LOOKS TO CONTINUE WINNING RECORD IN GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE OPENERS
First year head coach Jamey Chadwell comes into the contest versus the University of North Alabama looking to keep a positive trend along side two of the last three Statesmen football coaches appearing in their first Gulf South Conference games.

DSU is 2-1 in GSC openers for its last three head coaches in their first conference games. Former head coach Steve Campbell defeated Arkansas Tech 17-10 in his conference debut, while Rick Rhoades fell 42-0 to Valdosta State to open his GSC tenure.

Ron Roberts won his first GSC contest with a thrilling 9-7 victory over Henderson State.

WILLIAMS LOCKS DOWN SECONDARY
Senior defensive back Eric Williams currently is tied for the lead in the Gulf South Conference in interceptions with two through two games played.

Williams made his presence known in the DSU secondary after his performance in the season opener on Sept. 8, against Fort Valley State University. The Jackson, Miss. native recorded four tackles in the contest but he kept the Statesmen in the game with his two timely interceptions.

The Jackson native started eight games for the Statesmen last season and played in all 13 games for the Green-and-White, recording 11 tackles and two tackles-for-loss.

AGAINST THE STATES
The Statesmen are facing their first opponent this season from the state of Alabama in the University of North Alabama, a team they have battled 55 previous times in series history. 

DSU is 89-99-5 all-time against teams from the Yellowhammer state, including a 24-30-1 mark all-time against Saturday's opponent UNA.

DOWNS READY TO MAKE MARK AT WIDE RECEIVER
Senior wide receiver Lavon Downs hauled in five receptions for 43 yards and one touchdown in the 26-7 win over Elizabeth City State on Saturday, Sept. 8. The touchdown came on a 16-yard strike at the end of 10-play, 99-yard drive to start the game.

Downs led the Statesmen while tying his career-high in receptions in the season opener against Fort Valley State University with seven for a total of 67 yards.

Lavon Downs finished 2011 fifth on the Statesmen receiving charts with 27 grabs for 433 yards and three touchdowns, but he showed down the stretch his ability to make big plays for DSU.

In victories over North Alabama and West Alabama, the Avon Park, Fla., native hauled in seven passes each, while setting up game-winning scores for Brant Botill and Carlton Ollie.  He also played a major role in DSU's 36-33 win over Valdosta State with three receptions for 63 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown.

HUNTER TO MAKE RUN AT GAMES PLAYED RECORD
Offensive tackle Kendall Hunter, a 6-foot-6, 325-pound senior from Mound Bayou, Miss., is set to make a run at the school's record for career games played.

The All-GSC and All-American candidate has started for three seasons at DSU and continues his 2012 campaign with 43 career games played on the offensive line, including 30 consecutive starts at right tackle. 

If all goes according to plan, he will amass 50-plus games in the Green-and-White for DSU.

“TRUE” FRESHMAN
True freshman running back Rondreas Truesdale touched the ball 13 times in the win against Elizabeth City State on Sept. 8 racking up 60 yards, which included 20 rushing and 40 receiving, of total offense in the contest

Truesdale saw his first collegiate action on September 1, against Fort Valley State University. Truesdale rushed the ball eight times for a total of 41 yards (5.1 avg) and recording one reception for three-yards.

The Lancaster, S.C. native's versatility and speed allows Truesdale to be a threat not only on offense but as a contributor on special teams.

TRIPLETT A NIGHTMARE FOR ANY OFFENSE
Junior linebacker Ixavier Triplett continues the 2012 season on a quest to continue his run towards the school record for career tackles after recording seven total tackles in the season opener game against Fort Valley State University and tallied five in the 26-7 win over Elizabeth City State on Sept. 8.   Triplett through two games leads the team in tackles with 12 and is second on the squad with 2.5 tackles-for-loss.

The Hillsboro, Miss., native finished 2011 with a team-high 82 tackles, including 10 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks.

The 2010 GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year has totaled 189 tackles in just 30 career games played and is currently on pace to eclipse the record of 343 held by former Statesman All-American Lardester Hicks-Green.

The former Scott Central HS star has also amassed 23.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and 11 pass break-ups in his career at DSU.

NOT ON MY ISLAND
Sophomore linebacker Rory Island ranks third in the Gulf South Conference in the sacks category with two for a total of 12 yards. Island proved Sept. 1, versus Fort Valley State that no one gains ground on his “Island,” as the Gulfport, Miss., native recorded five tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks.  He also tallied one pass break-up.

WOODEN LIVING UP TO HYPE
Trevor Wooden, a junior transfer from Missouri State, settled into his role as starting quarterback for the Statesmen in the 26-7 win versus Elizabeth City State on Sept. 8 where he completed 15-of-30 for 239 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing with 98 yards on 17 attempts.

Wooden opened the 2012 season at quarterback for the Statesmen on Sept 1, against Fort Valley State University where he completed 13-of-25 to five different receivers for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the effort against the Wildcats and led the Green-and-White in rushing with 49 yards on 12 attempts.

The High Springs, Fla., native accounted for a Missouri Valley Conference best 2,420 yards of total offense as a sophomore. Wooden completed 138-of-233 passes for 1,853 yards and 17 touchdowns with only eight interceptions.  He also rushed for 567 yards on 150 carries with seven touchdowns.

LUBIN ON THE LOOSE
Sophomore Diego Lubin ranks second in the Gulf South Conference in tackles for loss coming into this week's game with four for  a total of 14 yards through two games played.  The Winter Haven, Fla., native posted five tackles and three tackles for loss for a total of 10 yards in the 26-7 winning effort again Elizabeth City State on Sept. 8.

FALKNER EMERGES AS OFFENSIVE THREAT
The 2012 season opener against Fort Valley State University gave birth to the emergence of a new receiving threat for the Statesmen in tight end Reed Falkner.

The Oxford, Miss., native entered the 2012 season with only five career catches for 75 yards and was mainly used as a blocking tight end under the previous regime.

Falkner so far this season has four receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown, which came on a 17-yard strike from quarterback Trevor Wooden in the season opener against Fort Valley State.

“ACTION” JACKSON EXPLODES ONTO THE SCENE
Kevin Jackson made his mark in the 26-7 victory over Elizabeth City State by hauling in three receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown, quite possibly the highlight of the game, came on the hail mary jump-ball Jackson caught in the back corner end zone at the end of the first-half of play.

After only playing in two games during the 2011 season before being sidelined by an injury, Jackson recorded two receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against FVSU.

ALL-AMERICAN LAMAR YOUNG RETURNS TO ANCHOR LINE
Senior All-American Lamar Young, who missed spring practices for the Statesmen, returns this season to anchor the offensive line for coach Jim Beverly.  The University of Maryland transfer started all 14 games last season en route to All-GSC, All-Region and Honorable Mention All-American honors.  The 6-foot-5, 330-pound Riverdale, Ga., native will team with Kendall Hunter and Will Kent to form a solid nucleus up front for DSU.

NEW COACHING STAFF HAS TOP PEDIGREE
DSU's new football staff is no stranger to successes at the highest levels of college football.  Defensive coordinator Chad Staggs and DL coach Skylor Magee both got their starts as graduate assistants for the “Ole Ball Coach” Steve Spurrier at South Carolina.

Offensive coordinator Gabe Giardina was a placekicker and graduate assistant coach at the University of Alabama under coaches Mike Shula and Nick Saban, and offensive line coach Jim Beverly was a college teammate of head coach Jamey Chadwell and once held the NFL combine record of 41 reps of 225-pound bench press.

The staff also features former Mississippi gridiron standouts, including USM All-American defensive end Skylor Magee and Ole Miss “Chucky Mullins Award” winning linebacker Lanier Goethie.

STATESMEN LEAD THE WAY IN NCAA
Delta State leads NCAA this week in kick off return average with 37.5 yards per return and in red zone efficiency on defense where the team has only allowed the opposition to score one time inside the 20-yard line this season.

The Statesmen also rank fifth in the nation in third-down efficiency on defense, holding opponents to just 6-of-27 on third-down conversion attempts.