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GAME NOTES: No. 22 Valdosta State University at Delta State University
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - With Gulf South Conference title and NCAA postseason playoff implications on the line, the Delta State University Statesmen (5-2, 3-1 GSC) will welcome the No. 22-ranked Valdosta State University Blazers (5-2, 3-2 GSC) on Saturday, Nov. 2 for the 81st Homecoming game at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. The game marks the 33rd meeting all-time between the two GSC foes, but only the second time the two have met on DSU's Homecoming. The Statesmen lead the all-time series 18-13-1.
Matt Jones, Mark Williams,
Philip Tang and Lane Quinton will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 3 p.m.
A year ago, DSU finished the season 3-7 and it seemed that the program's future might be in jeopardy after hiring a third coach in as many seasons. In steps coach
Todd Cooley and with three games remaining in the regular season, Delta State enters Homecoming week holding its destiny in its own hands. Sitting at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in league play, the Statesmen need to win out for a chance to play in the NCAA Division II Football Championship Playoffs.
Preaching his message that every DSU player is part of the "Family," the team has bought in and has grown up fast thanks to a mix a newcomers and veteran leadership. With one of the nation's top passing attacks, the Statesmen are averaging 34.7 points and 470.6 yards per game heading into conference clashes with Valdosta State and West Georgia. DSU has a non-conference game set for Nov. 9 versus Concordia-Selma.
OPENING DRIVE
GSC Race Heating Up: The Delta State University (5-2, 3-1 GSC) football team will host No. 11 Valdosta State University (5-2, 3-2 GSC) in the 79th Homecoming game Saturday, Nov. 2 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. The Statesmen are coming off a 38-17 victory over Shorter, while the Blazers were defeated 56-7 by North Alabama last week. The game comes during a pivotal stretch in the Gulf South Conference race for both schools.
Inside the Series: It seems like nearly each time the Statesmen and the Blazers meet on the gridiron that the implications are huge, and the games entertaining. Saturday's showdown is no different, as the two GSC powers clash for the 33rd time in series history. DSU leads the all-time series 18-13-1 after winning six of the last seven matchups. VSU snapped a six-game DSU winning streak last season with a 59-41 win at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
Statesmen hosting 81st Homecoming: Delta State University's campus will transform into a giant party this week, as the Statesmen welcome back alumni and fans for the 81st Homecoming Classic at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. DSU is facing defending national champion Valdosta State at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Statesmen are 49-29-2 all-time in Homecoming games.
Delta State tops Shorter 38-17 in GSC-TV Game of the Week: DSU found balance in the game with the rushing attack racking up 182 yards and four different rushers finding the end zone.
Tyler Sullivan continued to improve completing 22-of-28 passing for 214 yards and a touchdown.
Rory Island led the Statesmen defense with 10 tackles on the night.
Sullivan leading the show as freshman: Redshirt freshman quarterback
Tyler Sullivan continues to play well for coach
Todd Cooley. The Louisville, Miss., native has completed 60-of-85 passes for 707 yards and six touchdowns against zero interceptions. He is sporting a 70.6 completion percentage and a QB rating of 163.8 overall. Sullivan set freshman marks for completions (33), yards passing (422) and touchdowns thrown (4) in a 38-36 come-back victory over then-No. 14 Tarleton State.
Heavy 1-2 Punch: The Statesmen defense is sporting a heavy 1-2 punch on the line this season in defensive ends
Adrian Dinkins and junior
Diego Lubin, who rank among the GSC's leader in tackles-for-loss and sacks. Lubin leads the GSC in sacks with 5.0 and ranks ninth in TFL (7.0). Dinkins is eighth in the GSC in TFL (7.5) while racking up 2.0 sacks on the season.
Youthful Secondary Making Strides: With as many as four freshman or first-year starters, the Statesmen secondary is making tremendous strides as we enter the home stretch of the regular season. Led by redshirt sophomore
Richard Nash, who has 51 tackles, the secondary has cut down on miscues in its last three outings. True freshmen
David Evans (25 tackles) and Jereco Beckwith (25 tackles) have grown up fast since joining the lineup.
Lightning strikes three times: With one of the deepest receiving corps in the GSC, the Statesmen enter Saturday's game with three receivers ranked in the league's top 10 in receptions.
Ricky Hunt leads the GSC with 6.7 receptions per game, while
Casey Osborne, who tops the league in receiving yards at 571, averages 6.6 per contest.
Patrick Bethley is averaging 4.4 receptions per game and 64.6 yards.
Against the Top 25: The Statesmen are 2-1 this season against ranked opponents after last week's 38-36 victory over then-No. 14 Tarleton State. DSU defeated No. 21 North Alabama 37-34 on Sept. 21 at Braly Municipal Stadium. The lone loss came at No. 12 West Alabama, a 48-14 defeat at Tiger Stadium in Livingston, Ala.
Against the States: The Statesmen are playing their second of three opponents from the state of Georgia on Saturday versus Valdosta State. The game marks the 51st meeting for the Statesman against a team from the "Peach State." The Green-and-White are 37-22-1 after the 38-17 victory over Rome-based Shorter. DSU has one game remaining against a team from Georgia, as West Georgia welcomes the Statesmen to Ray-Lin Field at University Stadium on Nov. 14 in the finale of GSC-TV Live.
Under the Lights: Who knew Thomas Edison's invention would play such a major impact on the game of college football, but the light bulb not only changed how mankind lived, it's allowed millions of college fans to enjoy the game they love under the lights. Saturday's game with Valdosta State will be the 513th game all-time at night for DSU, who own a 273-235-4 record in night games.
Up Next: Delta State welcomes Concordia-Selma into Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Nov. 9 for a 2 p.m. non-conference showdown. The game will mark the first meeting between the two schools.
OFFENSE
Ground Game Emerges at Shorter: In a game that saw near-perfect balance on offense for the Statesmen, DSU rushed for 182 yards on 42 carries, while four different players found the endzone. Justin McArthur rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries to lead the Statesmen. Timothy Foy added 47 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Sullivan and Richard Freelon also found pay dirt.
Making the Money: Money plays are defined as plays resulting in first downs or touchdowns and the Statesmen have connected on 183 such plays this season. DSU has tallied 66 money plays on the ground and 117 through the air.
Casey Osborne leads the team with 30 money plays, including seven touchdowns.
Timothy Foy is second on the team with 22 followed by
Ricky Hunt (19),
Richard Freelon (17) and
Patrick Bethley.
Statesmen Bring High-Octane Passing Attack to Blazers: Delta State enters Saturday's game with Valdosta State leading the GSC and ranking 6th nationally in passing at 355.4 yards per game, a full 121 yards better than second ranked Valdosta State's 234.1 yards per game. Regardless of who's been the triggerman, DSU has led the league in passing since the start of the season. The Statesmen have completed 227-of-331 passes for 2,488 yards with 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
450-Plus: The Statesman offense has been outstanding this season, ranking second in the GSC in total offense at 470.6 yards per game. DSU has topped the 450-yard mark in 5-of-7 games this season, including a season-high 602 yards in a 37-34 victory at North Alabama. DSU totaled 420 yards in last week's 38-17 at Shorter.
Hunt, Osborne & Bethley making run at GSC leaderboard: With one of the deepest receiving corps in the GSC, the Statesmen enter Saturday's game with three receivers ranked in the league's top 10 in receptions.
Ricky Hunt leads the GSC with 6.7 receptions per game, while
Casey Osborne, who tops the league in receiving yards at 571, averages 6.6 per contest.
Patrick Bethley is averaging 4.4 receptions per game and 64.6 yards.
Freelon 18th rusher to top 1,000 yards at DSU: Despite not putting up eye-popping totals this season, senior running back
Richard Freelon became the 18th back in DSU history to top 1,000 career yards versus North Alabama on Sept. 21. The three-year letterman has rushed for 1,180 yards and 10 career touchdowns.
Bethley chasing 1,000 yards: Sophomore wide receiver
Patrick Bethley has developed into a big play weapon this year for coach
Todd Cooley. The New Orleans, La., native is approaching 1,000 career receiving yards. In 18 career games, Bethley has caught 47 passes for 727 yards and six touchdowns. He needs 273 yards in DSU's final three games to top 1,000 this season.
Protecting the QB: The Statesman offensive line has improved greatly over the last five games, including three against ranked opponents. DSU has surrendered 17 sacks this season, including a season-high in week two versus Texas A&M-Commerce. Since that game, the O-line has allowed just seven sacks, including one last week versus Shorter.
Red Zone Effectiveness: Delta State continues to find ways to score once reaching the red zone this season and went 6-for-8 in the 38-17 win at Shorter. DSU is 30-for-37 (81.1%) on the year inside the zone with 20 touchdowns and 10 field goals.
Third & Fourth Down Effectiveness: DSU enters Saturday's game 48-of-116 (41.4%) on third down conversions and 10-of-17 (58.8%) on fourth down attempts.
Scoring in Bunches: The Statesmen enter Saturday's game averaging 34.3 points per game. DSU has scored 38 points in each of its last two games and has topped 30 points in 5-of-7 games this year.
DEFENSE
Island Stopper: Junior linebacker Rory Island, a 2012 All-GSC selection, is playing even better this season, leading DSU in tackles with 52. The Waveland, Miss., native had his second-straight 10 tackle performance in DSU's 38-17 win at Shorter. The three-year letterman has also topped the 100-career tackles plateau with 117, including 11.5 tackles-for-loss and 4.0 sacks.
Red-Zone Defense: The Statesman defense has allowed opponents inside the red zone 30 times, leading to just 21 scores (70%). DSU is currently second in the GSC in Red Zone defense, allowing opposing offense to convert on 70.0 percent of their trips inside the 20-yard line.
Run Defense Key versus Blazers: As the Statesmen prepare to face the league's leading rusher, Cedric O'Neal (93.4 ypg), the DSU run defense will be the key this week at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. The Green-and-White feature the GSC's second rated run defense, allowing the opposition 136.7 yards per game.
The Statesmen have allowed only two 100-yard rushers all season. Reggie Hall rushed for 123 for West Alabama, while Florida Tech's Trevor Sand had 109 yards in a 52-31 DSU victory.
Roving All Over: Redshirt sophomore rover
Richard Nash has turned into a tremendous leader on the field for the Statesman defense. The Macon, Ga., native leads the team with 51 tackles, including a game-high 14 stops versus No. 14 Tarleton State. Nash has also accumulated 2.0 tackles-for-loss, an interception and five total passes defended. In week one, Nash was named the GSC Defensive Player of the Week after recording seven solo tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss and intercepting a pass.
Lubin cutting loose: Redshirt junior defensive end
Diego Lubin has made a major impact for the Statesman defense since his return. The Winter Haven, Fla., native leads DSU and the GSC with 5.0 sacks and ranks ninth in TFLs with 7.0 in five games.
Warren's Way: Senior cornerback
Trenton Warren has picked up his play in the last three weeks and enters the VSU game with 32 tackles, an interception, 11 passes defended and two fumble recoveries. The senior a week earlier had his way with the Texans' receiving corps, as the preseason All-GSC selection recorded 12 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups in DSU's 38-36 win over previously unbeaten Tarleton State. On two key plays in the game, the Baytown, Texas native broke up TSU passes in the endzone to force field goal attempts. In six games, Warren has totaled 26 tackles with an interception, nine pass breakups and 10 passes defended.
The Delivery Man: Senior defensive tackle
Adrian Dinkins has picked up his deliveries to the quarterback, as the Ridgeland, Miss., native is second on the club with 8.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.0 sacks through seven games. He has totaled 23 tackles with a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
Statesman Secondary Playing Well: DSU's corners have played well this season and have improved at a steady pace through the first seven games. Junior
Frankie Lee has tallied 27 stops with 2.0 tackles-for-loss and four pass breakups.
Jeremy Davis has become the type of corner offensive coordinators stay away from. Davis has recorded 17 tackles, eight passes defended and leads the team with two interceptions.
Evans growing into safety spot: True freshman
David Evans, who missed last week's game versus Tarleton State, is growing into his safety position after joining the starting lineup in week three. In just four games, the Hueytown, Ala., native has 24 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and has forced and recovered a fumble.
Barnes tops 150 tackles: Senior safety
Kenny Barnes topped the 150 career tackles mark with one tackle in DSU's 38-17 win at Shorter. The four-year letter winner and Madison, Miss., native has played in 44 career games making 150 stops with nine tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and 15 passes defended.
SPECIAL TEAMS
No Pressure: Vince Sciorrotta, a true freshman from Cumming, Ga., has handled his starting position in a special way this season. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound lefty has nailed 10-of-15 field goals, including two game-winning kicks in his first collegiate season. He is also 30-of-30 on PATs.
Sciorrotta moves into single season scoring list: With his eight points at Shorter, true freshman kicker
Vince Sciorrotta moved into No. 22 on the single-season scoring list with 60 points.
Davison leading GSC in kick returns:
Michael Davison enters week seven leading the GSC in kick returns with 388 yards on 15 attempts. His 25.8 yards per return average is also tops in the league. His 25-yard return on the final drive of last week's game versus Tarleton State set the Statesmen up at the 45-yard line for what proved to be the game-winning possession in a 38-36 DSU victory.
Holt delivers in punter role: Junior punter
Justin Holt has played exceptionally well for the Statesmen this season, averaging 40.1 yards per punt. In seven games, Holt has punted 31 times for 1,244 yards including 16 kicks inside the 20-yard line. The Coldwater, Miss., native also has five kicks of 50-plus yards with a long of 61-yards this season.
Leading Scorer:
Vince Sciorrotta enters week seven ranked No. 1 in scoring in the GSC with 8.6 points per game. The Cumming, Ga., has connected on 10 field goals (30 points) and 30 extra points this season for a total of 60 points in six games.
FACE THE FOE
The Delta State Statesmen and the Valdosta State Blazers will meet for the 33rd time in series history on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Over the years, the rivalry has produced some of the most exciting games in DSU football history. The Statesmen lead the all-time series 18-13-1. VSU claimed a 59-41 victory in last year's meeting at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
It seems like nearly each time the Delta State Statesmen and the Valdosta State Blazers meet on the gridiron that the implications are huge, and the games entertaining. DSU earned its first ever NCAA Playoff win in 2000 over Valdosta State with a 49-12 win over the Blazers en route to the only National Championship in DSU history. The victory was the first of two in that memorable season for DSU over VSU.
However, to say the Blazers exacted revenge in 2001 would be an understatement. After trailing 12-7 to the Statesmen, VSU scored an amazing 63 straight points in a dominant win over the Statesmen with quarterback Dusty Bonner passing for six touchdowns.
The 2004 meeting between the two will also go down as one of the most entertaining in the series history. Twice, the Statesmen held an 11 point lead over the Blazers in the contest, until quarterback Fabian Walker led the Blazers to a thrilling victory that still remains a touchy subject to DSU faithful. VSU went
on to win the NCAA National Championship, while the Statesmen failed to make the playoffs.
In 2005, the Blazers completed yet another fourth quarter comeback. This time, the Blazers trailed 23-14 before rallying to break the hearts of quarterback Scott Eyster and the Statesmen with a 24-23 win. The
Statesmen got the best of VSU in a hotly contested 35-28 decision in 2006, a season in which DSU marched its way to the NCAA Semifinal. The 2007 meeting between the two GSC powerhouse football schools was the stuff of legend that is if you are a DSU fan. Trailing 24-0 and 31-7 in the second half, the Statesmen scored 28 straight points. Jamarcus Wiggins intercepted VSU's Willie Copeland at the DSU one-yard line to end the game. Jeremy Ricks had an amazing 254 all-purpose yards for the Green-and-White.
2008's matchup did not disappoint either, as the two squads battled to a 24-24 tie at the end of regulation, before Tom Santos knocked home a 36-yard field goal for the Statesmen. Damien Davis recovered a Chris Hart fumble to end the game and give the Statesmen a big win. In the 2009 edition of the Statesmen and Blazers, there was no scoring following a field goal for each team in the third quarter, as the Statesmen won 31-23. Lardester Hicks-Green set a DSU single game record with 20 stops in the contest.
The 2010 edition also lived up to its billing, coming down to the waning moments of the contest. DSU found themselves trailing 14-3 early in the fourth quarter, before rallying to take a 24-21 lead with Chance Dennis' 73-yard touchdown catch. With the Statesmen leading 27-23, DSU's Joe Marshall and Mark Hoskins stopped a Brett Whitmire quarterback sneak on 4th and 1 from the DSU 14.
In 2011, DSU defeated VSU 36-33 last year at Parker Field-McCool Stadium in a thrilling affair that saw running back
Brant Botill score the game-winning touchdown with 40 seconds remaining.
YEAR-RESULTS
1982 Delta State 27 - Valdosta State 0
1983 Delta State 24 - Valdosta State 16
1984 Delta State 17 - Valdosta State 11
1985 Delta State 20 - Valdosta State 39
1986 Delta State 8 - Valdosta State 31
1987 Delta State 24 - Valdosta State 21
1988 Delta State 28 - Valdosta State 28
1989 Delta State 24 - Valdosta State 16
1990 Delta State 26 - Valdosta State 11
1991 Delta State 27 - Valdosta State 34
1992 Delta State 7 - Valdosta State 45
1993 Delta State 8 - Valdosta State 33 (Homecoming)
1994 Delta State 10 - Valdosta State 57
1995 Delta State 19 - Valdosta State 37
1996 Delta State 34 - Valdosta State 28
1997 Delta State 27 - Valdosta State 23
1998 Delta State 20 - Valdosta State 17
1999 Delta State 9 - Valdosta State 6
2000 Delta State 45 - Valdosta State 35
2000 Delta State 49 - Valdosta State 12 (Playoffs)
2001 Delta State 12 - Valdosta State 70
2002 Delta State 0 - Valdosta State 42
2003 Delta State 17 - Valdosta State 28
2004 Delta State 48 - Valdosta State 51
2005 Delta State 23 - Valdosta State 24
2006 Delta State 35 - Valdosta State 28
2007 Delta State 35 - Valdosta State 31
2008 Delta State 27 - Valdosta State 24
2009 Delta State 31 - Valdosta State 23
2010 Delta State 27 - Valdosta State 23
2011 Delta State 36 - Valdosta State 33
2012 Delta State 41 - Valdosta State 59
