Notes - Week 1 - Cooley

Football Matt Jones

Statesmen Ready for Season-Opener; Cooley Era Set to Begin

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GAME ONE NOTES: Delta State University (0-0, 0-0 GSC) at Mississippi Valley State (0-0, 0-0 SWAC)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - Change is inevitable and the Delta State University football team is ready to leave behind the disappointments of 2012, as first-year head coach Todd Cooley begins his tenure with the Statesmen on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Mississippi Valley State.  Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Rice-Totten Stadium.  The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network beginning at noon with the DSU Alumni Association Statesmen Game Day.  Matt Jones, Mark Williams and Lane Quinton will have the call.

STATESMEN GAME DAY INFORMATION
Date/Location: Sept. 7, 2013 | Rice-Totten Stadium
Kickoff Time: 1 p.m. CST
Radio:  Statesmen Sports Network | Matt Jones (PxP), Mark Williams (Color), Lane Quinton (Sidelines)
Rankings: Delta State (NR - D2Football.com / NR - AFCA Top 25)
Mississippi Valley State (NR - Black College FB / NR - AFCA Top 25)
Series History:  Delta State leads series 3-1; 1-1 at Rice-Totten Stadium
Live Audio: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/dsu.portal#
Live Stats:  Not available
Television: None

A Series Renewed: The Statesmen and Delta Devils are rekindling a series that saw record crowds for both institutions from 2000-2003.  DSU owns a 3-1 edge in the series standings, including a 45-0 victory in the last matchup between the two schools during the 2003.  However, DSU's lone series loss came in 2002, as the Delta Devils claimed a 28-26 victory in Itta Bena in former head coach Rick Rhoades debut with the Statesmen.  The Statesmen have out-scored the Delta Devils 131-54 in the previous four meetings for an average score of 33-14.

Cooley Begins Delta State Tenure: The Statesmen (0-0, 0-0 GSC) of Delta State University open the 2013 season Saturday, Sept. 7 at Mississippi Valley State University against the Delta Devils (0-0, 0-0 SWAC).  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Rice-Totten Stadium.  Saturday's "Delta Clash" will be the first in Todd Cooley's career as a head coach and the 81st season-opener in school history.  DSU is 41-35-4 all-time to open a season.

Unfamiliar Territory: Delta State begins the 2013 campaign in unfamiliar territory, as the Gulf South Conference league coaches picked the Statesmen to finish fourth this season.  Valdosta State, defending NCAA DII National Champions, and defending GSC champion West Alabama both received 23 points in the annual preseason poll.  The Statesmen received 12 points, tying with West Georgia for fourth, and were picked to finish behind North Alabama (14).  Florida Tech (6), which is in their first season competitively with the GSC and is picked to finish last.

Three Statesmen Receive Preseason Honors: Seniors Reed Falkner (TE), Ixavier Triplett (LB) and Trenton Warren (SS) highlight a list of Statesmen earning Preseason All-Gulf South Conference.  Triplett is no stranger to All-GSC honors, previously being named the 2010 Defensive Freshman of the Year and All-GSC First Team in 2011, while this is the first honor for Falkner and Warren.

Road Warriors: The Statesmen will certainly test their road mettle in 2013, as DSU faces six opponents away from the friendly confines of Parker Field-McCool Stadium, including the first three games of the season.  After a road trip to MVSU, the Green-and-White travel to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas to face Texas A&M-Commerce in the Lone Star Conference Kickoff Classic on Friday, Sept. 13. The road odyssey concludes with the GSC opener on Saturday, Sept. 21 at North Alabama.

Chasing 300 Tackles: Two-time All-GSC linebacker Ixavier Triplett enters his senior season chasing the 300-career tackles plateau.  The Hillsboro, Miss., native has tallied 233 stops in his decorated career, including a high of 100 as the GSC's Freshman Defender of the Year in 2010. In a shortened junior season, Triplett recorded 51 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack.

Quality Production: Senior tight end Reed Falkner can't wait to get the season started at MVSU.  In Joel Williams' new offensive system, Falkner's tight end position plays a major role.  The Preseason All-GSC selection has already proven his worth, grabbing six passes for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season.

Offensive Youth Movement: The Statesmen feature a number of freshman and sophomores who will play a major role this season.  After a 16 reception freshman campaign, Patrick Bethley return to anchor a receiving corps that could be one of the best DSU has put on the field in recent memory.  Joining Bethley offensively will be redshirt freshman Tim Foy (RB), sophomore Justin McArthur (RB) and sophomore Casey Osbourne (WR). 

Not on Rory's Island: While DSU features a bevy of young, talented defenders, junior linebacker Rory Island is ready to help lead the Statesman defense this season.  The All-GSC Second Team selection recorded a team-high 56 tackles in 2012, including 6.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks.   

Traditions Return: The Statesmen will return to their traditional green helmets this season.  DSU will also feature two new Nike uniforms, including a new green home uniform and a white road combo.  

Facility Enhancements: The working press will enjoy new enhancements to the Pressbox at Parker Field-McCool Stadium this season.  A completely reworked first floor features new interiors throughout, while upgrades to the second floor will help the staff create a more robust game day experience for our fans.  

Statesmen, Not Okra: While there is some confusion nationally as to the mascot of Delta State University Athletics, the time-honored Statesman remains the official symbol of the Green-and-White.  While the Fighting Okra will be seen around our facilities and is a beloved character by our student body, Mr. Statesman is ready to rumble.


STREAKS, STORYLINES & SIDEBARS

HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR COOLEY
When Delta State hired new head coach Todd Cooley, the school new it was getting one of college football's bright young minds.  The former Harlon Hill Trophy finalist at Arkansas Tech, built a name for himself as an offensive coordinator at the NCAA DII and FCS levels before taking on the challenge of rebuilding the Statesmen into a national contender.

Known as one of the top offensive coordinators in the country, Cooley brings his high-octane system to Delta State after serving as the offensive coordinator at Northwestern Louisiana State University (2009-2012), University of Central Arkansas (2005-2008) and Arkansas Tech University (2004).  

In three years running the NSU offense, Cooley's established the Demons as one of the top units in the Southland Conference.  In 2012 under Cooley's tutelage Brad Henderson finished the season ranked seventh in the SLC with 181-of-330 passes completed for 1,874 yards with 14 touchdowns and only four interceptions.  The Demons averaged 24.1 points per game and ranked fifth in the league in scoring.  

Cooley's explosive offenses at Central Arkansas lit up scoreboards around the Southland Conference in 2007-08 and during his four seasons with the Bears as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. In that time (2005-08), UCA posted an overall 35-13 record, including an 11-3 SLC mark in the Bears' first two years (2007-08) as an NCAA Division I FCS member.

THE DUEL IN THE DELTA: STATESMEN @ DELTA DEVILS
The "Delta Clash" marks the fifth meeting, and the first since 2003, between Delta State and Mississippi Valley State.  DSU owns a 3-1 edge in the series; however, the Statesmen's lone loss came in 2002, 28-26, in Itta Bena.   The Statesmen have out-scored the Delta Devils 131-54 in the previous four meetings for an average score of 33-14.

SEASON - LOCATION - RESULT
2000 - Itta Bena - Delta State 38, Miss. Valley State 23
2001 - Cleveland - Delta State 25, Miss. Valley State 3
2002 - Itta Bena - Miss. Valley State 28, Delta State 26
2003 - Cleveland - Delta State 45, Miss. Valley State 0

STATESMEN PICKED FOURTH IN GSC PRESEASON POLL; THREE STATESMEN NAME ALL-GSC
Delta State begins the 2013 campaign in unfamiliar territory, as the Gulf South Conference league coaches picked the Statesmen to finish fourth this season.  Valdosta State, defending NCAA DII National Champions, and defending GSC champion West Alabama both received 23 points in the annual preseason poll.  The Statesmen received 12 points, tying with West Georgia for fourth, and were picked to finish behind North Alabama (14).  Florida Tech (6), which is in their first season competitively with the GSC and is picked to finish last.

Seniors Reed Falkner (TE), Ixavier Triplett (LB) and Trenton Warren (SS) highlight a list of Statesmen earning Preseason All-Gulf South Conference.  Triplett is no stranger to All-GSC honors, previously being named the 2010 Defensive Freshman of the Year and All-GSC First Team in 2011, while this is the first honor for Falkner and Warren.

LUCIOUS AND HERSEY RETURN TO ANCHOR OFFENSIVE LINE; BOTH LINEMEN UPSHAW CANDIDATES
Senior offensive linemen Andre Lucious and Dominique Hersey return to anchor a Statesman line that averaged 189.5 yards rushing and 188.4 yards passing in 2012.  Lucious will return to the left guard spot after starting all 10 games last season, while Hersey, who played left tackle a year ago, moves inside to center.  Both linemen could capitalize on coach Cooley's new offensive scheme to climb into the conversation for the nation's top Division II lineman award - The Gene Upshaw Trophy.

LINEBACKER DEPTH COULD BE KEY IN 2013
With Ixavier Triplett and Rory Island headlining a linebacker corps that may be the deepest position on the roster, defensive coordinator Charles Anthony is counting on the unit to catapult the Statesmen back into the nation's elite.  Triplett, a senior linebacker, recorded 51 tackles in only eight games last season and returns with 233 career tackles.  Island had a breakout sophomore season, leading DSU with 56 tackles and 6.5 tackles-for-loss. 

Junior Caleb Smith looks to return to his freshman form, while transfers Ryan Self (Coahoma CC), Artavious Morgan (San Joaquin Delta) and Dekovan Ware (Coahoma CC) look to play a major part in Anthony's attacking system.  Two freshman, Landry Tullo (Hoover HS) and Jared Hunt (Cleveland HS) could also see a lot of time this season.

STATESMEN TO PLAY IN LONE STAR CONFERENCE KICKOFF CLASSIC; DSU VS. TAMUC SEPT. 13
The Lone Star Conference officially announced the lineup for the 2013 LSC Football Festival on Thursday, May 23 and the event includes the season-opener for Delta State University, as the Statesmen face Texas A&M-Commerce on Friday, Sept. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.  Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

Football fans will be treated to a rare international experience and a chance to kickoff Hispanic Heritage Month in the world's greatest stadium this fall as the Lone Star Football Festival returns to Cowboys Stadium with three Mexican collegiate football teams on the schedule, league officials announced.

Friday's lineup includes three games starting with Sul Ross versus ENMU at 1 p.m., followed by DSU against A&M-C at 5 p.m.  The day wraps up with Mexico City and Puebla at 9 p.m.


OFFENSIVE QUICK HITTERS

Williams Returns to the DSU Sidelines: Joel Williams, who helped rewrite virtually every passing record in the book during his first stop in Cleveland, returns to Delta State University for the second time in his career as the offensive coordinator for Statesmen head coach Todd Cooley.  Williams previously served as OC from 2002-2004 under former head coach Rich Rhoades. Prior to coming back to DSU, Williams served as the offensive coordinator at Foley High School in Foley, Ala., where he helped guide FHS to four-straight (2009-2012) Alabama High School Athletic Association Playoff appearances and two top 16 finishes.  He coordinated an offense that averaged over 30 points and 350 yards per game during the four-year span.

No period in Delta State football history enjoyed greater aerial success than Williams' first stint as offensive coordinator.  From 2002-2004, Williams directed an offense that led the Gulf South Conference in passing each year, while establishing 42 school records.  In 2003, led by future Statesman All-American and Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Scott Eyster, DSU embarked on a period that would see the offense top averages of 500 yards per game and 40-plus points over the next two seasons.

The 2004 campaign saw DSU average 44.3 points (No. 3 NCAA), 517.3 yards per game (No. 3 NCAA), 338.4 yards passing per game (No. 5 NCAA), all while leading the Gulf South Conference in total offense, pass offense and scoring.  In 2003, DSU led the nation in passing at 346.4 yards per game with a freshman quarterback and ranked second nationally in total offense (526.7) and scoring (41.5).

Williams' pupils at DSU read like a Who's Who among the all-time greats, including All-Americans Eyster (QB), Ellis Debrow (WR), Mark Barron (OL), Chris Booker (OL) and Travis Mikel (OL). In all 13 players were named to the All-GSC squads during his time at DSU, including seven offensive linemen.

DSU wants more production in 2013: The Statesmen are looking to improve upon their meager offensive production last season.  In 2012, DSU averaged 24.7 points and 377.9 yards per game.  The Statesmen averaged 189.5 yards rushing and 188.4 passing in a spread-option attack.

Bethley Breakout: Sophomore wide receiver Patrick Bethley is the leading returner for DSU.  A year ago, the New Orleans, La., native caught 16 passes for 275 yards and two TDs.  He averaged 17.2 yards per catch as well.

Freelon's Focus: Richard Freelon is poised to return to his All-GSC form from 2011, as the senior hopes to play a larger role this season.  In 2012, Freelon rushed for 180 yards and a TD on just 36 carries, but as a sophomore in 2011 rushed for 700 yards and eight TDs on 125 attempts.

Falkner's ready to pen new heights in 2013: Senior tight end Reed Falkner can't wait to get the season started at MVSU.  In Joel Williams' new offensive system, Falkner's tight end position plays a major role.  The Preseason All-GSC selection has already proven his worth, grabbing six passes for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season. 

Freshmen ready to compete: The Statesmen feature a number of freshman and sophomores who will play a major role this season.  After a 16 reception freshman campaign, Patrick Bethley return to anchor a receiving corps that could be one of the best DSU has put on the field in recent memory.  Joining Bethley offensively will be redshirt freshman Tim Foy (RB), sophomore Justin McArthur (RB) and soph. Casey Osbourne (WR). 

Mr. Quarterback: Travis Champion, a 6-foot-2 junior transfer from Hampton, has won the starting quarterback position out of fall camp.  The Moreno Valley, Calif., native completed 108-of-175 passes for 1,125 yards with eight TDs and 10 interceptions last season for the Pirates.


DEFENSIVE QUICK HITTERS

Anthony ready to lead Statesman defense: Charles Anthony, a veteran head coach and defensive coordinator at the high school and NCAA level, is in his first season as an assistant coach on Todd Cooley's staff at Delta State University.  Anthony will serve as the defensive coordinator for the Statesmen.  Prior to coming to DSU, Anthony served as the head coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College.

During his time at Southwest, Anthony, who served as head coach from 2006-2012, led the Bears to victories over every team in the MACJC, coach four NJCAA All-Americans and produced 59 players that went on to sign with NCAA or NAIA schools.

The Athens, Ala., native spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons as the defensive coordinator for coach Mike Ledford at the University of West Georgia.  While coaching the Wolves linebackers, Anthony's defenses ranked first in the Gulf South Conference in pass defense, pass efficiency defense, and sacks, while ranking second in total defense and scoring defense.

Anthony spent the 2004 season as the defensive coordinator at the University of North Alabama.  His UNA squad ranked first in pass defense and second in total defense, while producing four All-Gulf South Conference selections.

Last chance for Triplett: Two-time All-GSC linebacker Ixavier Triplett enters his senior season chasing the 300-career tackles plateau.  The Hillsboro, Miss., native has tallied 233 stops in his decorated career, including a high of 100 as the GSC's Freshman Defender of the Year in 2010. In a shortened junior season, Triplett recorded 51 tackles and 7.5 tackles-for-loss.

Island will play larger role in 2013: While DSU features a bevy of young, talented defenders, junior linebacker Rory Island is ready to help lead the Statesman defense this season.  The All-GSC Second Team selection recorded a team-high 56 tackles in 2012, including 6.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks. 

Warren to lead secondary: Senior safety Trenton Warren enters his final season with the Statesmen with the highest expectations of his career.  The Baytown, Texas native recorded 32 tackles, a tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup last season.  He enters the campaign as one of three Statesmen named to the Preseason All-GSC Team.

Jackson returns to Statesman secondary: Junior safety Dandrick "Pops" Jackson returns to anchor the middle of the Statesmen defense after suffering a season-ending injury last year.  The Houston, Texas native recorded 22 tackles, and tied for the team lead with two interceptions in just seven games.

Youth movement to play role up front: Sophomores Trent Dunne (DL), Stephen Varnado (DE) and seniors Derrien Covington (DL) and Jasper Williams (DE) are looking to build off last year's learning experience and play larger roles this season.  All four Statesmen saw quality time a year ago.

Looking to cut down on 2012's miscues: Opposing offenses averaged 31.2 points and 375.7 yards of total offense per game last season.  This included 174.0 on the ground and 201.7 through the air.  



    








     
     
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