Break_Ruddic_FB_101417
J.T. Webb
28
Winner Delta State DSU 6-1 , 4-1
25
West Florida UWF 4-2 , 2-2
Winner
Delta State DSU
6-1 , 4-1
28
Final
25
West Florida UWF
4-2 , 2-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
DSU Delta State 7 7 0 14 28
UWF West Florida 13 6 6 0 25

Game Recap: Football | | Matt Jones

No. 21 Statesmen Rally For 28-25 Win At West Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Delta State scored 14 unanswered fourth quarter points to rally for a 28-25 victory over the University of West Florida (4-2, 1-2 GSC) on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Blue Wahoos Stadium in front of 5,548 fans on Homecoming for the Argonauts. Johnquavious McBride's 65-yard blocked field goal return for a touchdown proved to be the game-winning score for the No. 21-ranked Statesmen (6-1, 4-1 GSC).    
 
THE BASICS
  • Score: Delta State 28, West Florida 25
  • Records: Statesmen (6-1, 4-1 GSC) | Argonauts (4-2, 1-2 GSC)
  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 14 | 4 p.m. Kickoff
  • Location: Blue Wahoos Stadium | Pensacola, Fla.
  • Attendance: 5,548
  • Series: Delta State leads the all-time series 2-0
  • Get Social: Twitter - @DeltaStateFB | Facebook – DSUStatesmen | Instagram – DSUAthletics
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Chris Robinson plunged in from four yards out to give the Statesmen an early 7-0 lead over West Florida with 6:44 to play in the first quarter. Robinson's eighth rushing touchdown of the season capped a 15-play, 65yards drive on their second possession of the game
  • West Florida answered on their ensuing drive, as Mike Beaudry connected with Ka'Ron Ashley on a 6-yard touchdown pass with 3:57 to go in the first quarter. Austin Williams' extra point was wide right.
  • After Jalen Spencer picked-off Collin Willis' pass intended for Kam Myers, UWF's Leroy Wilson rumbled 31 yards for the touchdown, putting the Argos up 13-7 with 3:22 to go in the first.
  • The Statesmen capitalized on Keith Flanigan's fumble recovery, driving 56 yards in five plays to take the 14-13 lead with 9:33 to go in the half on Willis's first rushing touchdown of the game.
  • UWF turned DSU's second turnover of the contest in points again, as the Argonauts' Austin Williams nailed a 50-yard field goal with 1:36 to go in the half.
  • After a quick three-and-out by the Statesmen offense, Williams connected on a 48-yard field goal as time expired on the first half to put the Argonauts up 19-14 at the break.
  • UWF's Williams made it 22-14 with 8:22 to play in the third quarter, as the sophomore from Phelan, Calif., connected on his third field goal, a 27-yard effort, of the game.
  • With 3:00 left in the third, Williams made his fourth consecutive field goal, a 26-yard kick, to put West Florida up 25-14.
  • Robinson finally got the Statesmen back on the board, punching in from five yards out to cut the UWF lead to four, 25-21, with 14:17 to play in the game.
  • Special teams made the difference for the Statesmen, as Quantarius Boone blocked Austin Williams' 52-yard field goal attempt and Johnquavious McBride returned the block 65 yards for the go-ahead score with 12:51 to go in the game.
  • A late drive by UWF to attempt to the tie the game was shutdown, as Chandler Ector recovered Mike Beaudry's fumble to seal the Delta State victory with 10 seconds to go.                                                        

Offensive Notables:
  • Delta State rushed 56 times for 183 yards, as the Statesmen amassed 384 total yards in the win.
  • Collin Willis passed for 164 yards after completing 13-of-20 attempts with no touchdowns and one interception. Breck Ruddick, who led the team with 67 yards rushing on 17 carries, was 7-for-14 for 37 yards through the air.
  • Chris Robinson rushed 15 times for 53 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Willis added 37 yards on the ground with one score.
  • Willis Chambers led the Statesmen with five catches on the night.
  • After going 4-for-14 on third down through the first three quarters, the Statesmen finished the fourth quarter 5-for-7, including three conversions on Robinson's key scoring drive.
  • The Argonauts outgained the Statesmen 443-384, including 354 yards passing by Beaudry, who completed 22-of-47 passes on the evening.
  • Caleb Robinson led UWF and all receivers with five grabs for 129 yards.     
 
Defensive Notables:
  • Keith Flanigan led the Statesmen with 10 tackles, including seven solo stops, and recovered a fumble.
  • Quantarius Boone recorded his first career blocked field goal, leading to McBride's 65-yard game-winning touchdown return.
  • Landry Tullo finished the night with seven tackles, 2.0 sacks and 2.0 tackles-for-loss.
  • Chandler Ector totaled seven tackles with the game-sealing fumble recovery on West Florida's final offensive play of the night.
  • Jamoral Graham broke-up four passes and recorded five tackles in the win.
  • UWF's Josh Marshall (14) and Trent Archie (13) led all defenders in tackles.
  • The Argonauts recorded 7.0 tackles-for-loss and two sacks, while the Statesmen tallied 3.0 sacks and 4.0 tackles-for-loss.    
 
Special Teams:
  • Vince Sciorrotta closed the evening 4-for-4 on extra point attempts to move the senior to 306 career points scored. The Gainesville, Ga., native, needs three points next week versus Valdosta State to become the Gulf South Conference's all-time scoring leader by kick. Former VSU specialist Will Rhody holds the record with 308 points.
  • In the biggest punt of the night, Sam Barge nailed a 49-yard effort inside the UWF 5-yard line to force the Argonauts to drive the length of the field on the final drive. Barge punted seven times for 252 yards, a 36.0 yards per punt average.
  • LaDarion Peterson returned four kicks for 76 yards to close the game with 105 all-purpose yards.
  
Up Next:
 
  • The Statesmen return to Parker Field-McCool Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 21, as Delta State hosts the Blazers of Valdosta State University. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.


 
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