GAME NOTES: Shorter (0-3, 0-1 GSC) @ Delta State (1-2, 0-1 GSC)
• Complete weekly release with notes, rankings & stats in PDF format

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Statesmen (1-2, 0-1 GSC) of Delta State University return to Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24, as they host the Hawks (0-3, 0-1 GSC) of Shorter University in the 31st annual Pig Pickin' Classic. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network.

Delta State and Shorter are meeting for the fifth time on the gridiron, with the Statesmen owning a 3-1 edge in the series standings. The Hawks are making their second trip to Cleveland in the series, dropping a 35-20 decision to DSU on Oct. 9, 2014 in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week. In fact, two of the previous four meetings between the schools have been featured on the GSC's weekly telecast.

The Statesmen fell to No. 3 West Georgia, 34-24, last Saturday at Ra-Lin Field at University Stadium in Carrollton,Ga., in the GSC opener for both schools. The loss was the second-straight for DSU against a top 10 nationally ranked opponent. Shorter also fell last week, as the Hawks were shutout, 40-0, at home to No. 19 Florida Tech.

ALL-TIME SERIES MEETINGS: SHORTER vs. DELTA STATE

No	W/L	Date	PF	Location	PA
1	L	11-10-2012	21	Rome, GA	32
2	W	10-24-2013	38	Rome, GA	17
3	W	10-09-2014	35	Cleveland, MS	20
4	W	10-10-2015	38	Rome, GA	17

NOTES, STORYLINES & SIDEBAR STATS
• PIG PICKIN' SET FOR THIS WEEKEND: 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. Fans are encouraged to purchase their Pig Pickin' tickets in advance and tickets are priced at $6.00 for BBQ and $6.00 for sausage dog plates. To purchase tickets, visit DSUpigpickin.com today!

• DUB-C SHINES AT UWG: Senior linebacker Wilson Curtis turned in one his best performances as a Statesman last week at West Georgia, recording seven tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, blocked a PAT and intercepted a pass. The Winnsboro, La., native has made 117 career stops in 35 games, with 26.0 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks.  

• FOUR HORSEMEN: Junior Chris Robinson  and seniors D'Juan Bellaire, Justin McArthur, and Tim Foy are powering a Statesman ground game averaging 162.3 yards per game and 3.3 touchdowns. Robinson enters the week leading the GSC in rushing touchdowns (6), while ranking second in rushing yards per game (101.3). Bellaire has rushed for 114 yards a pair of scores, while McArthur is fourth on the team with eight receptions and averages 4.5 yards per carry. Foy, arguably DSU's best blocking back, has added two touchdowns.

• BUILDING THEIR RESUMES: Sophomore safety De'Quan Bates and sophomore linebacker Chandler Ector are putting their stamp on the Statesman defense. Bates is currently leading the team with 18 tackles, while Ector is second with 15 stops and three pass break-ups.   

• SULLIVAN CLIMBING CHARTS: Senior quarterback Tyler Sullivan moved into second place in the career total offense chart, passing Micah Davis (8,238/29 games), with 8,324 yards. Sullivan has thrown for 7.876 yards and rushed for 448 more in 28 career games for the Statesmen. Scott Eyster (2003-2006) holds the school-record with 14,342 yards.  Sullivan, a native of Louisville, Miss., needs 10 yards passing to move into second place on the career passing chart and 24 completions to slide into second place.

• MR. DO-IT-ALL: Junior Cody Mills has found himself in an odd spot this fall, as the Oxford, Miss., native is handling all of DSU's kicking assignments. Mills is 3-for-3 on field goals attempts, while averaging a GSC-leading 41.6 yards per punt. He has also kicked-off 17 times for an average of 55.3 yards per kick.      

• WELCOME TO THE BIG STAGE: Freshman defensive end Zane Samuel made an immediate impact on his first collegiate play, blocking Jordan Ikner's punt attempt and returning it 16 yards for a touchdown in last Saturday's contest at No. 3 West Georgia. Samuel's blocked punt for a touchdown was the first since Ken Gray accomplished the feat versus Concordia in 2014.

• GREEN ZONE EFFICIENCY: Delta State is 13-for-13 inside the "Green Zone" this season in scoring situations. In fact, the Statesmen have scored 10 touchdowns and converted three field goals inside the opposition's 25-yard line.

• LEADING AT THE HALF: Delta State is 17-0 under head coach Todd Cooley when leading at half-time. The Statesmen are 5-8 when trailing and 0-2 when tied at the half.

• RACE TO 30: The Statesmen are 21-4 all-time when scoring 30 or more points against an opponent under head coach Todd Cooley.