CLEVELAND, Miss. – The 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.
The 73 points were the fourth highest total in school history and the second time this season Delta State has eclipsed 70 points in a game. DSU crushed Central State 72-8 back on Sept. 27.
"I'm proud of this senior class for how they've led our team these past two seasons," DSU head coach
Todd Cooley said. "We have made great strides in the last two years. Our goal all along has been to play in meaningful games in November and December, and our seniors are the reason we are there."
After holding Concordia to a three-and-out, the Statesmen took a quick 3-0 lead on
Vince Sciorrotta's 29-yard field goal with 11:29 to play in the first quarter. DSU was setup with excellent field position after
Ricky Hunt's 29-yard punt return to the Hornets' 15-yard line.
Delta State made it 6-0 with 9:29 remaining in the first on Sciorrotta's 40-yard field goal, his second of the game. The Statesmen were once again given a short field after Concordia failed to convert on a 4th-and-short on their own 23-yard line.
With 1:22 left in the first quarter, the Statesmen finally found the endzone, as
Tyler Sullivan connected with
Ladarrell Hunt on a 23-yard touchdown pass to give DSU the 13-0 lead.
Delta State's aerial assault continued in the second quarter, as
Patrick Bethley hauled in Sullivan's second touchdown pass of the game, a 34-yard effort with 14:01 left in the half that stretch the margin to 20-0.
Sullivan collected his third passing touchdown of the day, as the Louisville native found a streaking
Ricky Hunt for an 80-yard score. The strike extended DSU's lead to 27-0 with 11:39 to go in the half.
The Statesmen ground game found the endzone on Sullivan's 3-yard rumble up the middle. The sophomore's sixth rushing score of the season extended the lead to 34-0 with 6:58 to go in the half. The drive covered seven plays, marking the longest of the half.
Sullivan capped the first half scoring with a 1-yard run with 1:21 to play in the half, giving the Statesmen a 41-0 halftime lead.
DSU accounted for 306 yards of total offense in the first half, while holding Concordia to 36 yards on 32 plays. Sullivan threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 completions to lead the Statesmen. CC's Aaron Pierce completed 5-of-7 passes for 20 yards.
After the half, the Statesmen marched 68 yards on four plays in 1:48, as
Justin Leavy made an acrobatic grab in the back of the endzone from
Travis Champion on a 23-yard score. With 10:48 remaining in the third quarter, DSU held a commanding 48-0 lead.
The Hornets finally found the endzone, as Concordia marched 81 yards on seven plays in 3:22 for their first score of the game, as Horatio Keller dove in from two yards out. CC's two-point conversion attempt was no good. With 7:26 to go in the third, DSU led 48-6.
Timothy Foy answered Concordia's score with a 4-yard touchdown run, capping a 50-yard, six-play drive in just 1:40.
Delta State's defense made its presence felt, as
Tayvon Benjamin picked off Keller's pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. Sciorrotta's point after attempt was wide left, giving the Statesmen a 61-6 lead with 14:07 to go in the game.
On the Hornets' next drive,
De'Koven Ware blocked Matthew Rowser's punt out of the back of the endzone for a safety. The two-pointer extended DSU's lead to 63-6 with 13:35 to play.
DSU's defense forced another three-and-out, setting up the Statesman offense at its own 49-yard line. Nine plays and 3:25, Sciorrotta split the uprights on his third field goal of the day, a 20-yard effort.
With 5:05 to play, redshirt freshman
Trace Bray rumbled 15 yards for a touchdown to put the Statesmen up 73-6 on the Hornets. Bray's second rushing touchdown of the season capped an 8-play, 65-yard drive in 4:21.
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.
DSU also rushed 33 times for 128 yards, led by Bray's 44 yards.
Ladarrell Hunt had three carries for 41 yards and Foy closed the night with 36 yards and a touchdown on three attempts as well.
Richard Nash and LeDarrion Robinson led the Statesmen defensively with six tackles apiece.
Latrell Peterson had five stops, including 2.0 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks.
Randall Boyd also had five stops, including a career-high 4.0 tackles-for-loss and a sack.
Trey Shaw recorded five tackles and an interception.
Romelo Wilson and Benjamin picked off Hornet passes as well.
Concordia tallied 137 yards on 64 plays, including 129 yards passing. The Hornets rushed for a mere eight yards on 38 attempts. Keller completed 6-of-18 passes for 109 yards. Pierce rushed 16 times for 15 yards.
Anthony McGillberry led the Hornets with a game-high eight tackles.
Delta State returns to Parker Field-McCool Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 15, as the Statesmen play host to the Choctaws of Mississippi College for the first time since 1995 in the 35th edition of the Heritage Bell Classic. DSU will be observing Homecoming and kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
