GAME NOTES: Kentucky Wesleyan (0-2) at No. 6 Delta State (2-0)
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CLEVELAND, Mississippi - No. 6/8 Delta State University (2-0, 0-0 GSC) welcomes Kentucky Wesleyan College (0-2) to Parker Field-McCool Stadium for the first time in series history. The Statesmen and Panthers are set for a 6 p.m. kickoff. Matt Jones, Lane Quinton and Philip Tang will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 5 p.m.
 

STATESMEN FOOTBALL GAME DAY
Date/Location:	Sept. 19, 2015 | Parker Field-McCool Stadium | Cleveland, Miss.
Kickoff Time:	6 p.m. CST
Radio:	Statesmen Sports Network | Matt Jones (PxP), Mark Williams (Color), Philip Tang (Producer/Host), and Lane Quinton (Sidelines)
Rankings:	Delta State: No. 6 - AFCA | No. 8 - D2Football.com KWC: NR - AFCA | NR - D2Football.com
Series History:	First Meeting | Series 0-0 Last Meeting: N/A
Coaches:	Delta State: Todd Cooley (18-5, 3rd season) KWC: Brent Holsclaw (31-98, 13th season)
Live Audio:	Statesmen Sports Network (Click Here)
Live Stats:	DSU Live Stats (Click Here)
Live Video:	DSU Web Stream (Click Here)

Pig Pickin' Classic: Saturday's game marks the 30th installment of the annual Pig Pickin' Classic. Thirty years ago, Hugh Ellis Walker, along with the rest of the Alumni-Foundation staff, hosted the very first Pig Pickin' at Delta State University. The event was created to celebrate the first home football game of the season. Since then, it has grown into one of the most popular events on campus and over 10,000 are expected Saturday at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. DSU defeated Central State 72-8 in last year's Pig Pickin' Classic.

Honoring Dr. Ethan Schmidt: Delta State University head football coach Todd Cooley announced this week that the Statesmen will wear a special decal on the team's white helmets Saturday versus Kentucky Wesleyan College in memory of Dr. Ethan Schmidt, who was killed Monday in his office on campus. The decal features a black ribbon with the DSU Athletics logo.  Prior to kickoff on Saturday, DSU Athletics will observe a moment of silence and fans are encouraged to wear green.

Last Time Out: No. 10 Delta State University used a big fourth quarter performance to take down No. 18 Texas A&M-Commerce, 51-44, in a thriller at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas. Trailing by 11 points entering the final period, Tyler Sullivan led the Statesmen on a rapid comeback, connecting with Collin Floyd on the game-winning touchdown, a 23-yard strike with 1:09 to play.

Beckwith, Sullivan Capture GSC Honors: Delta State University quarterback Tyler Sullivan and defensive back Joreco Beckwith have been named the Gulf South Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games played in Week Two of the 2015 season. Sullivan earns his second consecutive honor, sixth of his career, after completing 34-of-56 passes for 491 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding one TD on the ground.  The Louisville, Mississippi, native led the Statesmen's fourth-quarter comeback, tossing touchdown strikes in the final two offensive series, capped by the go-ahead, 23-yarder with 1:09 on the clock. Beckwith headlined DSU's defense in the 51-44 win at No. 18 Texas A&M-Commerce.  The junior made an impact all over the field for the Statesmen, racking up a team-best 10 total tackles led by a game-high six solo stops.  The Winnsboro, La., native also intercepted two passes for 63 yards, as both interceptions led to DSU touchdowns in the first and second quarters.

York Delivers Career-Best Performance: Senior receiver Jarvis York had a career night in DSU's 51-44 victory at A&M-Commerce, grabbing eight passes for 137 yards and a touchdown. His 38-yard touchdown with 3:36 remaining in the game, tied the contest at 44-44. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has caught 73 passes for 965 yards and five touchdowns in his four-year career.

Against Nonconference Foes: The Statesmen face their 10th nonconference opponent under Todd Cooley, as Delta State welcomes Kentucky Wesleyan to Parker-McCool. Cooley and the Statesmen have posted an 8-1 record against nonconference foes, including a 51-44 win at Texas A&M-Commerce last week. Delta State is an unblemished 5-0 against out of conference opponents at Parker Field-McCool Stadium under Cooley.

Delta State Set To Host 30th Pig Pickin': Thirty years ago, Mr. Hugh Ellis Walker, along with the rest of the Alumni-Foundation staff, hosted the very first Pig Pickin' at Delta State University. The event was created to celebrate the first home football game of the season. Since then, it has grown into one of the most popular events on campus.

Each year, hundreds of Alumni and friends flood back to campus to tailgate, enjoy the live entertainment, watch a little football, and most importantly, sample some of the finest BBQ ever served.

Friday, Sept. 18
4:00 p.m. DSU Softball Intrasquad scrimmage @ University Field
5:15 p.m. BBQ Competition Cooks' Meeting
6:00 p.m. Polk's Sponsors' Social, Walker Alumni-Foundation House
6:00 p.m. Swimming and Diving Alumni Social - DSU Aquatics Center
8:00 p.m. Young Alumni Tailgate, Statesmen Park
9:00 p.m. Patti and the Mayonnaise, Statesmen Park

Saturday, Sept. 19
10:00 a.m. Phi Mu Bunko Tournament for CMN, Jacob Conference Ctr
10:30 a.m. Cooking Competition begins
11:00 a.m. Statesmen Baseball Squad Game, Ferriss Field
11:30 a.m. DSU Day
12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Live Radio Broadcast on Q102
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Kids Zone, Alumni & Friends Tailgating, and Live Entertainment begins, Statesmen Park
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Statesman and Okra Photos at the Legacy Tent
2:00 p.m. Cornhole Tournament
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Pig Pickin' BBQ Serving Lines are open
3:00 p.m. DSU Pep Rally
5:00 p.m. BBQ Competition Winners Announced, Polk's Stage
6:00 p.m. Delta State vs. Kentucky Wesleyan

Statesmen-Panthers Begin New Series: Delta State and Kentucky Wesleyan will begin a two-year series Saturday, Sept. 19, as the Panthers (0-2) travel to Cleveland. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. KWC will return to Cleveland in 2016 to open the season on Sept. 3.

The Panthers are coming off back-to-back losses to open the season, including a 39-33 defeat at Limestone last Saturday. Coach Brent Holsclaw is in his 13th season at KWC and boasts a 31-98 record.

While the Statesmen and Panthers have never met on the gridiron, DSU and KWC have squared off in men's and women's basketball and  softball.   

Delta State Edges Texas A&M-Kingsville 51-44: No. 10 Delta State University used a big fourth quarter performance to take down No. 18 Texas A&M Commerce, 51-44, in a thriller at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas.

Trailing by 11 points entering the final period, Tyler Sullivan led the Statesmen on a rapid comeback, connecting with Collin Floyd on the game-winning touchdown, a 23-yard strike with 1:09 to play.

DSU tied the game at 44-44 on a 32-yard TD reception by Jarvis York.

Beckwith, Sullivan Captures GSC Player of the Week Honors: Delta State University quarterback Tyler Sullivan and defensive back Joreco Beckwith have been named the Gulf South Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games played in Week Two of the 2015 season.
 
Sullivan earns his second consecutive honor, sixth of his career, leading DSU to a come-from-behind 51-44 road triumph over No. 18 Texas A&M-Commerce.  The junior completed 34-of-56 passes for 491 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding one TD on the ground.  The Louisville, Miss., native led the Statesmen's fourth-quarter comeback, tossing touchdown strikes in the final two offensive series, capped by the go-ahead, 23-yarder with 1:09 on the clock.
                   
Beckwith headlined DSU's defense in the 51-44 win at No. 18 Texas A&M-Commerce.  The junior made an impact all over the field for the Statesmen, racking up a team-best 10 total tackles led by a game-high six solo stops.  The Winnsboro, La., native also intercepted two passes for 63 yards, as both interceptions led to DSU touchdowns in the first and second quarters.

Protecting Our House: The Green-and-White will be playing their 229th home game on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium versus Kentucky Wesleyan. The Statesmen are 143-76-8 since opening the stadium in 1970. DSU, which played several seasons at Delta Field located where Wyatt Hall now stands, is 255-126-15 all-time at home.

Since taking over the program in 2013, coach Todd Cooley is 10-1 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium, including a 10-0 record in regular season action.

Statesmen Playing 85th Season of Football: Delta State is in its 85th season of football in Cleveland. In the previous 84 years of football, the Statesmen are 451-374-23 (.531). Since 2000, DSU is 127-52 (.709) with six Gulf South Conference titles, seven NCAA postseason appearances and the 2000 NCAA Division II National Championship. The Statesmen claimed their 450th win all-time in a 48-7 rout of Fort Valley State in the season-opener.

Against Ranked Opponents: Since Todd Cooley took over as head coach, the Statesmen are 6-2 against ranked opponents, including a 51-44 victory at No. 18 Texas A&M-Commerce last week. DSU will face at least four ranked opponents this year with No. 2 West Georgia, No. 10 North Alabama and No. 11 Valdosta State remaining on the schedule.

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.

Delta State Paces Nation In Passing: The Statesmen enter the weekend ranked No. 1 in scoring (49.0) and passing (435.0) per game.