GAME NOTES: Mississippi College (1-8, 0-6 GSC) at No. 13 Delta State (8-1, 5-1 GSC)Complete weekly release in PDF format
CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 12 Statesmen (8-1, 5-1 GSC) of Delta State University welcomes the Choctaws (1-8, 0-6 GSC) of Mississippi College to Parker Field-McCool Stadium for the first time since 1995, as the two schools renew the Heritage Bell Classic. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. DSU will be observing Homecoming festivities during the contest. Delta State is one win away from at least a share of its seventh Gulf South Conference Championship in program history. The Statesmen claimed league titles in 1998, 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011.
INSIDE THE SERIESDelta State welcomes Mississippi College to Parker Field-McCool Stadium for the first time since 1995, a 14-0 victory for the Statesmen in the last Heritage Bell Classic. The game marks the 35th meeting between the two Mississippi foes, and the first since the Choctaws moved back to NCAA DII from DIII. DSU owns a slim 17-15-2 edge in the series standings, including a 10-5-1 mark in Cleveland.
Mississippi College defeated the Statesmen 33-0 in the first meeting between the schools on Oct. 26, 1935 in Clinton. Over the years, the series has been plagued by win streaks on both sides of the table. DSU lost its first four meeting with MC before reeling off a streak of 12 undefeated games, including 11 wins and a tie (1948-1977). The Choctaws claimed the next five meetings before the series settled into a give-and-take pattern.
DSU has won the last two games with the Choctaws, claiming a 14-0 victory in Clinton on Nov. 12, 1994, and a 14-0 win on Nov. 11, 1995.
Both schools have experienced great successes within the Gulf South Conference and at the NCAA DII level. Delta State boasts six league titles, and captured the 2000 national championship. MC has captured three league crowns and the 1989 national title, which was later vacated by the NCAA.
GREEN-&-WHITE SPOTLIGHTS - NCAA Playoff Picture: Delta State enters the week ranked No. 2 in the third installment of the NCAA Super Region II rankings. The Statesmen held strong to their spot after a 73-6 victory over Concordia College. Lenoir-Rhyne (10-0) holds the top spot in the region with just one game remaining in the regular season.
- Senior Day Rout: The Statesmen claimed a 73-6 victory over Concordia College last week in nonconference plat at Parker-McCool. Delta State amassed 536 yards of total offense, including 408 passing.
Tyler Sullivan completed 12-of-15 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. Senior
Travis Champion completed seven passes for 90 yards and a score as well.
- Sophomore quarterback
Tyler Sullivan, last season's GSC Offensive Freshman of the Year, has seized the opportunity to be Delta State's starting quarterback this year, throwing for 2,803 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. The Louisville, Mississippi, native has completed 224-of-348 passes, with 12 interceptions. The gunslinger is averaging 311.4 yards passing per game to lead DSU and the GSC. He currently ranks 14th nationally in passing and 11th in total offense (331.1) per game.
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Casey Osborne has developed into one of the nation's elite receivers, pacing the GSC in receptions per game (7.3). The Flowery Branch, Georgia native has caught 66 passes for 838 yards and eight touchdowns. He is averaging 97.6 yards per game this season as well.
- Ground and Pound: A year ago, the Statesmen rushed for 1,140 yards and 22 touchdowns on 366 carries. Through nine games this year, Delta State has rushed for 32 touchdowns and 1,394 yards on 329 carries.
- Junior defensive end Randall "Rambo" Boyd has become a force on the edge for the Statesman defense. The Forest, Mississippi native leads DSU with 6.5 sacks on the year, with 30 tackles and 12.5 tackles-for-loss.
- Junior running back
Eddie McCadney enters the week leading the GSC with 10 rushing touchdowns.
- Against the Top 25: The Statesmen are 2-0 this season against ranked opponents after defeating No. 13 Valdosta State, 49-32, at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on Sept. 20, and edging No. 3 North Alabama 33-28 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Nov. 1. Since
Todd Cooley took over as head coach, the Statesmen are 5-1 against ranked opponents, with the with the lone loss coming at No. 12 West Alabama in 2013.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
32 - Delta State's offense ran for 22 touchdowns a year ago. After last week's four rushing touchdown performance in a 73-6 win over Concordia, the Statesmen have scored 32 times on the ground this season. Junior
Eddie McCadney leads the team and the GSC with 10 rushing touchdowns.
101 - The Statesmen defensive front has set the tone this season, recording 101 tackles-for-loss to lead the GSC. Through nine games, DSU ranks second nationally in tackles-for-loss and 13th in sacks. Led by sophomore linebacker
Wilson Curtis's 13 tackles-for-loss, the Statesmen have already topped last year's totals for tackles-for-loss (80) and sacks (23).
DELTA STATE UNVEILS HERITAGE EDITION UNIFORMWhen Delta State University faces Mississippi College Saturday, Nov. 15 for Homecoming, the No. 13 ranked Statesmen (8-1, 5-1 GSC) will debut its Heritage Edition helmet and uniform in the 35th installment of the Heritage Bell Classic. The white helmet pays homage to the former players, coaches and staff that helped build DSU Football into one of the state's top programs.
The Heritage Edition uniform features a white helmet, green jersey and white pant. The helmet will feature a chrome facemask and reflective throwback DSU logo.
PROTECTING OUR HOUSEDelta State will be playing its 226th home game on Saturday, Nov. 15 versus Mississippi College at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. The Statesmen are 141-75-8 since opening the Statesmen in 1970. DSU, which played several seasons at Delta Field located where Wyatt Hall now stands, is 253-125-15 all-time at home.
HOMECOMING HAPPINESSThe Statesmen will be hosting long-time rival Mississippi College Saturday in the 82nd installment of Homecoming at Delta State. DSU boasts an impressvive 50-29-2 record against Homecoming foes over the years, including a 63-55 thriller last season over Valdosta State.
The Statesmen have hosted the Choctaws twice in previous Homecoming games, claiming a 41-0 victory on Oct. 29, 1955 and a 24-21 win on Oct. 8, 1977.
STATESMEN ON BRINK OF SEVENTH LEAGUE CROWNDelta State is one win away from at least a share of its seventh Gulf South Conference Championship in program history. The Statesmen claimed league titles in 1998, 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. Should DSU claim the win, it would be the fifth championship team coach
Todd Cooley has been a part of since 2008.
SCORING IN BUNCHESDelta State's offense is scoring in bunches this season, averaging 48.6 points per game to rank second in NCAA DII. The Statesmen have topped the 40-point plateau in six of their games this season. DSU ranks 14th nationally in total offense at 496.7 yards per game, led by the league's top passing attack (341.8 ypg), which also ranks eighth in the NCAA. DSU has topped 50-plus points in four games this season, with a high of 73 against Concordia on Nov. 8.
NATION'S LEADER IN TACKLES-FOR-LOSSDelta State's defensive unit enters the weekend ranked No. 1 nationally in tackles-for-loss with 11.2 per game. The Statesmen also rank sixth in the NCAA in sacks per game (3.5).
STATESMEN SWAT HORNETS 73-6 ON SENIOR DAYThe No. 12 Statesmen (8-1) of Delta State University wasted little time on Senior Day, putting away the Hornets (1-9) of Concordia College, 73-6, Saturday, Nov. 8 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. DSU recorded its third consecutive victory and its third in nonconference play in the win.
DSU's 73 points were the fourth highest total in school history and the second time this season Delta State has eclipsed 70 points. The Statesmen crushed Central State 72-8 on Sept. 27.
The Statesmen finished the game with 536 yards of total offense on 63 plays, led by 408 yards through the air. DSU completed 21-of-30 passes on the day, led by Sullivan's 211 yards. Champion closed out the game with 90 yards and a touchdown on 7-of-12 attempts.
STATESMEN MOVE TO NO. 2 IN SUPER REGION IIComing off a thrilling 73-6 victory over Concordia College on Senior Day, the Statesmen (8-1) of Delta State University remained No. 2 in the latest NCAA Region Two Poll, as released by the NCAA on Monday.
Lenoir-Rhyne (10-0) remained No. 1 followed by DSU, Tuskegee (8-1), North Alabama (8-1) and Valdosta State (7-2) in the top five.The only major change to the poll this week feature Tuskegee moving up one spot to No. 3 after defeating Miles College 48-33, while the Lions of North Alabama slipped to fourth.
RANK/TEAM IN-REGION DII OVERALL
1. Lenoir-Rhyne 9-0 10-0
2. Delta State 7-1 8-1
3. Tuskegee 8-1 8-2
4. North Alabama 7-1 8-1
5. Valdosta State 7-2 7-2
6. West Georgia 8-2 8-2
7. Albany State 7-2 7-2
8. Miles 6-3 6-4
9. Carson-Newman 6-3 6-3
10. Florida Tech 4-3 6-4
WILLIAMS' WAYOffensive coordinator
Joel Williams has Statesmen opponents feeling some type of way. The veteran ball coach holds the distinction of orchestrating three of Delta State's most prolific single season offenses. His 2003 and 2004 units, under then head coach Rick Rhoades, accounted for 458 and 443 points respectively.
The 2014 Statesmen are no different, scoring 437 points through nine games, ranking No. 2 nationally and first in the GSC. DSU also ranks 14th in total offense at 496.7 yards per game.
Delta State rolled up 484 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns in a 56-13 season-opening victory at Fort Valley State. The Statesmen followed up that performance with 620 yards and six scores in a 49-32 win at Valdosta State. Delta State totaled 542 yards and scored eight touchdowns and a field goal in the 72-8 victory over Central State.
DSU amassed 363 yards, including 205 rushing, en route to a dominating 45-24 win at West Alabama. Delta State followed that performance with 410 yards, including 169 rushing in a 33-28 win over then-No. 3 North Alabama.
The Statesmen scoring nine times in a 73-6 rout of Concordia College last week on Senior Day.
STATESMAN D-LINE DOMINANT The Statesmen defensive front has set the tone this season, recording 101 tackles-for-loss to lead the GSC and 31 sacks. Through nine games, DSU ranks No. 1 nationally in tackles-for-loss and No. 6 in sacks with 31 for 178 yards in losses.
Led by sophomore linebacker
Wilson Curtis's 13 tackles-for-loss, the Statesmen have already topped last year's totals for tackles-for-loss (80) and sacks (23).
SULLIVAN SEIZING OPPORTUNITYSophomore
Tyler Sullivan, last season's GSC Offensive Freshman of the Year, has seized the opportunity to be Delta State's starting quarterback this year, throwing for 2,803 yards and 22 touchdowns.
The Louisville, Mississippi, native became the seventh quarterback to top 4,000 career yards passing after throwing for 158 in DSU's 45-24 win at West Alabama. Sullivan, who has 4,567 yards to rank fifth on the career list, has completed 224-of-348 passes with 12 interceptions, while averaging 311.4 yards passing per game to lead DSU and the GSC.
Sullivan has shined in the big stage matchups for the Statesmen, passing for 502 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-32 win at Valdosta State, and 456 yards and five touchdowns in a 58-20 throttling of Florida Tech, both of which were GSC-TV Games of the Week.
Throughout his career, Sullivan, who is 12-2 as a starter at DSU, has performed well under pressure. In his first career start against No. 14 Tarleton State last season, Sullivan completed 33-of-49 passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns, two weeks later he established a new school record for single game passing yards with 520 and five touchdowns in a 63-55 win over No. 21 Valdosta State.
In 16 games, Sullivan has already eclipsed the 4,000 yard passing mark. The former Winston Academy standout has completed 355-of-549 passes for 4,567 yards, moving him into fifth place all-time at DSU, with 37 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He is averaging 285.4 yards per game for his career.
Sullivan's total offense numbers have also been outstanding, amassing 4,890 yards, climbing to sixth on the career chart.
BIRDMAN STALKING THE RECORD BOOKJunior
Casey Osborne is putting together a remarkable junior campaign, leading the Statesmen with 66 receptions for 878 yards and eight touchdowns. The Flowery Branch, Georgia native has caught 12 passes twice this season, including a three touchdown performance at Fort Valley State.
The speedster has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in all but two games this season, including 12 receptions for 113 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-13 win at Fort Valley State. Osborne followed that up with a career-high 192 yards and a score in DSU's 49-32 win at then No. 12 Valdosta State. In just the first half of action, Osborne caught four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown versus CSU. In DSU's 33-28 win versus No. 3 North Alabama, Osborne caught nine passes for 101 yards.
Osborne has caught 134 passes for 1,760 yards and 16 touchdowns in his 26-game career. He ranks seventh on the list with 134 catches.
FINDING A SECOND GEARThe Statesmen have found another gear in the second half through nine games. Last week, DSU held Concordia (Ala.) College to 117 yards, eight rushing and 109 passing in the second half while totaling 229 yards on offense (102 rush/127 pass). Offensively, DSU is averaging 261.8 yards (97.3 rush/164.5 pass) in the second half as compared to 246 (71.1 rush/167.7 pass) in the first half.
Defensively, the Statesmen are allowing 160.8 yards per game (38.6 rush/122.2 pass) in the second half and 246.4 yards (66.1 rush/180.3 pass) in the first half. The Statesmen have outscored opponents 125-27 in the third quarter and 203-77 overall in the second half.
The Statesmen have limited its last three opponents less than 15 yards rushing and seven-of-nine opponents have rushed for less than 30 yards in the second half this season.
RED HOT-RED ZONEThe Statesmen have scored on 45-of-55 trips into the red zone this season, for a 82 percent conversion rate. In fact, 37 of their 55 trips have resulted in a touchdown.
DEFENSE CREATING SCORING OPPORTUNITIESThe Statesmen defense has set the offense up in great field position. Delta State has scored 129 points this season off of turnovers.
Romelo Wilson has produced the only defensive touchdown with an interception returned 31 yards at Valdosta State on Sept. 20.
Opponent Points Off TO
@ Fort Valley State 14
@ Valdosta State 28
Central State 21
@ Florida Tech 21
Shorter 0
@ West Georgia 0
@ West Alabama 21
North Alabama 3
Concordia 21
NASH LEADING BY EXAMPLERichard Nash, a junior from Macon, Georgia, had a career-high 17 tackles on Oct. 18 at West Georgia. That performance has propeled the speedster to the top of the tackles chart this season, as Nash leads the team with 58 tackles and a career-high 3.5 tackles-for-loss. He has also recorded one sack, and picked off a pass.
ISLAND RETURNS TO FORMSenior
Rory Island has finally returned to form after battling a foot injury earlier in the season. The four-year letterman and two-time All-GSC selection has recorded 41 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks this season. The Waveland, Mississippi native has also picked off one pass and defended four others.
TULLO TURNING UPSophomore linebacker
Landry Tullo continues to increase his production each week for the Statesman defense. The Hoover, Alabama, native had just two tackles in DSU's 33-28 win over North Alabama, but on a key 4th-and-1 play with 5:03 remaining in the contest, Tullo knifed through the offensive line to make the stop. Tullo had a game-high 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack in Delta State's 35-20 win over Shorter on Oct. 9.
The former Hoover High School standout is second on the team with 42 tackles, including 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks. In his 19-game career, Tullo has totaled 69 tackles, 14.0 tackles-for-loss and recorded 5.5 sacks.
TURNOVER MARGINDelta State enters Saturday's game with Mississippi College +7 in turnover margin. The Statesmen have turned the ball over 21 times this season, but have recorded 14 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries to equal 28 turnovers forced.
THIRD QUARTER MADNESSDelta State has outscored the opposition 125-27 in the third quarter this year, and 203-77 overall in the second half. Of the 27 points surrendered in the third quarter, only 13 have come on an offensive play.
RED ZONE & SCORING DEFENSEThe Statesmen defense has turned it up a notch this season, allowing 19.4 points per game. DSU, which ranks 36th in the NCAA in scoring defense, has allowed the opposition to convert just 62 percent of its trips inside the red zone (18-of-29). In the 33-28 win over UNA, DSU allowed the Lions to convert on just one trip inside the red zone.
AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTSThe Statesmen are 2-0 this season against ranked opponents after defeating No. 13 Valdosta State, 49-32, at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on Sept. 20, and edging No. 3 North Alabama 33-28 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Nov. 1. Since
Todd Cooley took over as head coach, the Statesmen are 5-1 against ranked opponents, with the with the lone loss coming at No. 12 West Alabama in 2013.
LAST CLEAN SHEETThe Statesmen blanked the Hornets of Concordia College of Selma, Alabama, 77-0 on Nov. 9, 2013 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Prior to last year's game, DSU had not shutout an opponent since defeating Arkansas-Monticello, 53-0, on Nov. 11, 2006.
LAST TIME STATESMEN WERE SHUTOUTIt's been 12 seasons since Delta State suffered its last shutout. Then No. 1 Valdosta State defeated the Statesmen 42-0 back on Sept. 1, 2002 at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Ga.
COOLEY VERSUS NONCONFERENCE OPPONENTSThe Statesmen took on their seventh nonconference opponent under
Todd Cooley on Saturday, as Concordia travels to Delta State. Cooley and the Statesmen have posted a 6-1 record against nonconference foes, including a 3-0 mark this season. DSU defeated Fort Valley State 56-13 in the season opener, smashed Central State 72-8 on Sept. 27, and routed Concordia 73-6.
Last season, DSU went 3-1 against non-GSC foes. The Statesmen downed Mississippi Valley State 27-14, No. 14 Tarleton State 38-36 and Concordia 77-0. Delta State's lone loss came against Texas A&M-Commerce, 45-37, in the Lone Star Conference Classic at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
The Statesmen are an unblemished 4-0 against out of conference opponents at Parker Field-McCool Stadium under Cooley.
TEMPO TEAMThe Statesmen are certainly an up-tempo offensive unit, ranking dead last in the GSC in time of possession despite leading the league in scoring at 48.6 points per game. In DSU's nine games this season, the Green-and-White are averaging 26:55 minutes of possession.
Delta State is 3-0 this season when leading the game in time of possession. The Statesmen downed Valdosta State 49-32 (31:49), Central State 72-8 (31:53), and North Alabama 33-28 (36:33).
ROAD WARRIORSGulliver certainly has nothing on the Statesmen this season. Delta State is playing its fifth and final road game of the season on Saturday, as the Statesmen travel to Livingston, Alabama. With five road trips this year, DSU traveled a total of 5,198 round trip miles over the course of the season. A breakdown of this year's travels are listed below.
OPPONENT LOCATION MILES RESULT
Fort Valley State Fort Valley, Georgia 1,067 W, 56-13
Valdosta State Valdosta, Ga. 1,152 W, 49-32
Florida Tech Melbourne, Fla. 1,726 W, 58-20
West Georgia Carrollton, Ga. 748 L, 24-16
West Alabama Livingston, Ala. 504 W, 45-24
SET IT AT 60 & FORGET ITDelta State is 18-0 all-time when scoring 60-plus points in a game. In fact, the Statesmen have scored 50-plus points in a game 39 times in school history and most recently in DSU's 73-6 thumping of Concordia College on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.
Delta State is also 37-2 in games scoring 50-plus points. West Alabama defeated the Statesmen 63-55 at Tigers Stadium in Livingston, Alabama on Oct. 23, 1993 and Central Arkansas, with current DSU head coach
Todd Cooley at offensive coordinator, claimed a 55-52 win on Oct. 12, 2004 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.