GAME NOTES: No. 23 Valdosta State (6-2, 3-2 GSC) @ Delta State (5-4, 1-4 GSC)
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CLEVELAND, Mississippi - With playoff hopes on the line for No. 23 Valdosta State (6-2, 3-2 GSC) and Delta State (5-4, 1-4 GSC) looking to rebound from a difficult October, the Statesmen will play host to the Blazers on Saturday, Nov. 7 in the 35th meeting between the two Gulf South Conference foes. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Parker-McCool.

After winning eight of the last 10 meetings, including two in a row, the Statesmen enter the contest with a 20-13-1 lead in the series standings. DSU is 10-7-1 versus VSU in Cleveland and 10-6 on the road.

The series has been one of win streaks, with DSU boasting two runs of six-straight wins, while VSU has featured two streaks of five-consecutive victories.   

In the last meeting between the teams on Sept. 20, 2014, Delta State claimed a 49-32 victory at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia. Tyler Sullivan ended the day 41-for-64 passing for 502 yards and three scores, the 41 completions marks a Delta State single-game record.

Casey Osbourne eclipsed the 100-yard receiving plateau for the third straight game dating back to last season and second to start this year with nine receptions for 192 yards with two touchdowns.

Bellaire rushed for 86 yards on 19 carries to lead the ground attack. The Statesmen rushed 37 times for 120 yards. The Delta State offense ran 101 plays for 622 yards.

Wilson Curtis and Knox led the defense with seven stops a piece, with Curtis adding two tackles for loss, including a sack. The Statesmen defense forced four turnovers, two interceptions and two fumbles.   

Saturday's clash will also serve as the 83rd Homecoming game for DSU's alumni, fans and students.

83rd HOMECOMING FOR GREEN & WHITE
Valdosta State will also serve as Delta State's 83rd Homecoming opponent on Saturday. The Statesmen are 51-29-2 all-time in Homecoming games

Saturday's game marks the third time that Valdosta State has served as DSU's Homecoming opponent. In 1993, the Blazers defeated DSU 33-8, while the Statesmen claimed an electrifying 63-55 victory over VSU in the 2014 showdown at Parker-McCool.

DSU has won two straight, and 3-of-4, Homecoming games after claiming a 27-3 victory over Mississippi College on Nov. 15 in the Heritage Bell Classic.

AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
Since Todd Cooley took over as head coach, the Statesmen are 6-4 against ranked opponents, including a 51-44 victory at No. 18 Texas A&M-Commerce. DSU fell 28-7 versus No. 2 West Georgia and 43-17 at No. 21 North Alabama in its two losses this year. Valdosta State enters Saturday ranked No. 23 in the AFCA Top 25.

The Statesmen were 2-1 last 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.  DSU's lone loss against a ranked team came against West Georgia, 37-27,  in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

RARE LOSING STREAKS
The Statesmen enter Saturday's game on a three game losing streak after falling to North Alabama 43-17 last week in Florence. In 2012, Jamey Chadwell oversaw a four-game losing streak en route to a 3-7 campaign. During Rick Rhoades first season as head coach, the Statesmen also dropped four straight, but rallied to finished the season 4-7.

SENIOR DAY FOR DELTA STATE
Coach Todd Cooley and DSU Athletics will recognize 23 seniors before Saturday's clash with VSU during a special pregame ceremony. This squad has gone 21-9 over the last three years, while claiming a share of the GSC title in 2014. DSU will also honor seven cheerleaders, seven student trainers and 10 band members.

GENERAL YORK
Jarvis York enters the weekend as the Gulf South Conference's leading receiver with 50 grabs for 743 yards. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native ranks first in receptions per game (5.2) and receiving yards per game (82.5).

York has been the go-to guy for Statesman quarterbacks this year, turning in a career-best 12 grabs for 128 yards and touchdown versus West Alabama. He also grabbed eight passes for 137 yards and score at Texas A&M-Commerce and topped the 100-yard mark with 139 at Shorter.  

In his 39 game career, York has caught 112 passes for 1,491 yards and six touchdowns.

BECKWITH PACING BALL HAWKS
Joreco Beckwith has shown why many in the GSC consider him one of the best defensive backs in the league this season. The Winnsboro, Louisiana, native is pacing the Statesmen with three interceptions and 56 tackles. His three interceptions are tied with teammate Jon Knox for the GSC lead. In his 29 game career, Beckwith has recorded 139 tackles with four forced fumbles, four interceptions and nine passes defended.

RAMBO'S WAY
Defensive end Randall "Rambo" Boyd is putting an exclamation mark on his senior season, ranking second in the GSC in tackles-for-loss (13.5) and third in sacks (5.5). In 17 career games, the Forest, Mississippi native has 78 stops with 27.0 TFLs and 12 sacks.