Box Score LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The Delta State University Statesmen (3-2, 2-1 GSC) traveled to Tiger Stadium in Livingston, Ala. on Thursday, Oct. 3, to take on the 12^th ranked Tigers(4-1, 2-0 GSC) of the University of West Alabama in the GSC-TV Live Game of the week continuing one of the oldest rivalries in the Gulf South Conference.

The 57^th meeting of two of the leagues founding institutions promised to be a battle between the conference's most prolific offenses, but three first half turnovers by the Statesmen resulted in 21 unanswered UWA points allowing the Tigers to build a substantial first half lead.

The Statesmen took the opening kickoff at their own 35 and, on third and six, junior quarterback Travis Champion was hit in the backfield causing a turnover giving the Tigers possession on the DSU 30 with 13:30 remaining in the first quarter
From there the Tigers put together a quick 6 play 29 yard drive before quarterback Gary Johnston carried it in from two yards out giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 11:10 remaining in the first quarter.

From that point, the defenses stiffened with neither team able to mount effective offensive drives until UWA forced a Delta State punt and returned it to the Statesmen 35 with 1:41 left in the first.  On the second play of the drive, Tiger quarterback Kyle Caldwell hit tight end Tyler O'Neal for a 16 yard touchdown reception giving Tigers a 14-0 lead with 1:04 left in the first quarter.

After forcing a Delta State punt to end the quarter, the Tigers opened the second on their own 37 and drove to the DSU 30 before rover Richard Nash broke up a Tiger pass on fourth and seven giving the Statesmen the ball on their own 30 with 12:40 left in the second quarter. From there, the Statesmen were able to put together a drive into UWA territory at the 36, but were forced to turn the ball over on downs when a Champion pass intended for D.J. Holley fell incomplete on fourth and four. 

The Tigers took over on their 36 with 10:00 left in the second and put together a seven play, 54 yard drive resulting in a 37 yard field goal by kicker Mark Grand giving the Tigers a 17-0 lead with7:30 remaining before half time.

A DSU fumble on its own 37 gave the Tigers the ball on the Statesmen 37, and on the second play from scrimmage Tiger running back Javae Swindle swept to the right side for a 29 yard touchdown giving the Tigers a 24-0 lead with 6:00 left in the second.

After forcing the Statesmen to punt, Caldwell found Tiger wide receiver Seth Roberts on a 71 yard touchdown strike completing a six play, 91 yard drive and extending the Tiger lead to 31-0 with 1:24 remaining until half.

The bad luck continued for the Statesmen when, on the next possession, Champion was hit in the backfield forcing a fumble that West Alabama defensive lineman Dereck Jordan picked up and ran into the endzone giving the Tigers a 38-0 lead they carried into halftime.
 
The second half opened with neither team able to mount offensive drives until the Tigers took possession on the Statesman 40 at the 5:52 mark in the third. Six plays later, Caldwell hit receiver Malik Lofton on a four yard pass pushing the Tiger lead to 45-0 with 2:40 remaining in the third.

The Statesmen took the ensuing possession and marched 58 yards on seven plays with sophomore running back Justin McArthur scoring on a one yard dive on fourth and goal to avoid the shutout and cut the Tiger lead to 45-7 heading into the final quarter.

The Tigers were able to come right back, however, when a six play 23 yard drive ended in a 42 yard field goal by freshman kicker Mark Grant extended the Tiger lead to 48-7 with 8:57 left.

Fighting to the very end, the Statesmen mounted a seven play 69 yard scoring drive resulting in a 27 yard strike from redshirt freshman quarterback Tyler Sullivan to receiver Patrick Bethley marking Sullivan's first touchdown completion as a Statesman and ending the night's scoring with the Tigers winning 48-14.

Champion finished the night 33-of-55 for 226 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions

Osborne led the Statesmen with 61 yards on seven receptions, while Hunt had eight catches for 49 yards.  Patrick Bethley had 43 yards on four receptions and Josh Pinkston had  four receptions for 43 yards.

The defense was led by linebacker Rory Island who recorded 10 tackles followed by safeties Kenny Barnes and David Evans with seven.

On special teams, freshman receiver Michael Davison recorded 152 kickoff return yards while Punter Justin Holt averaged 44 yards on six punts.

The Statesmen will enjoy an open week before welcoming the Texans of Tarleton State University to Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Saturday, October 19.  Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Pregame on the Statesmen Sports Network will begin at 5 p.m.