CARROLLTON, Georgia – The University of West Georgia (6-1, 2-1 GSC) road a strong defense and the strength of two second half touchdowns to upend No. 9 Delta State University (5-1, 3-1 GSC) 24-16 Saturday at UWG's Ra-Lin Field.
 
Tyler Sullivan connected with Casey Osborne for 11 yards to pick up a first down on fourth and four to keep DSU's second possission of the third quarter going.  DSU capitalized four plays later when Sullivan hit Osborne for an eight-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 10-10 with 7:19 remaining in the third quarter.
 
The Statesmen defense stopped West Georgia on fourth and goal at the one on the next drive when Landry Tullo and Darrien Covington tackled Seth Hinsley at the goal line to turn the ball over on downs.
 
West Georgia's defense and special teams helped the Wolve's add the next two scores to break the tie.  Gabe Freeman intercepted a pass at the DSU seven and returned it for a touchdown to give UWG a 17-10 lead and a Marcus Sayles blocked punt led to a Hinsley one-yard run to extend the lead to 24-10 with 14:47 left in the fourth.
 
Delta State would cut into the lead late on a Timothy Foy eight-yard grab from Sullivan.  The extra-point was blocked to keep the UWG lead at 24-16 with 2:08 left.
 
Shaq Hall recovered the ensuing onside kick to help seal the win of the Wolves.
 
Hunter Heck kicked a 24-yard field goal on West Georgia's second drive of the game to give the Wolves a 3-0 lead with 5:43 left in the first quarter.
 
A Jordan Howard 18-yard punt return put the Statesmen into UWG territory at the 28 but a Carlos Hutton interception at the UWG one ended the scoring threat.
 
The two teams traded turnovers late in the second quarter. Romelo Wilson intercepted a Dallas Dickey pass at the DSU two but the Statesmen gave the ball right back when Freeman recovered a fumble to set up the Wolves first-and-goal at the DSU three.
 
West Georgia capitalized three plays later on a Dickey six-yard run and a 10-0 lead with 1:45 showing on the second quarter clock.
 
The Statesmen used its two-minute offense to get on the board just before halftime.  Vince Sciorotta kicked a 28-yard field goal to cap the nine-play, 64-yard drive and trim the deficit to 10-3 at intermission.
 
Tyler Sullivan attempted a DSU single game record 73 passes, completing 39, with two touchdowns and three interceptions.  Sullivan broke the old record held by Scott Eyster versus Southern Arkansas in 2003.
 
The Statesmen were held to their lowest offensive output of the year, totaling 423 yards, 32 rushing and 391 passing.
 
West Georgia had 400 yards, 272 on the round and 128 passing.  Hinsley led the Wolves' rushing attack with 161 yards on 25 carries.
 
Delta State travels to the University of West Alabama for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Tiger Stadium in Livingston, Alabama.