GAME NOTES: Tarleton State at Delta State
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University opens its 85th season on the gridiron this Saturday, Sept. 2 against Tarleton State University. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Parks Field-Sellers Stadium on the campus of Cleveland Central High School. Due to the emergency installation of new turf at Parker Field-McCool Stadium, the Statesmen are playing their first home-opener away from the facility since 1969. The Statesmen (0-0, 0-0 GSC) and Texans (0-0, 0-0 LSC) highlight one of NCAA Division II's biggest nonconference matchups this season. Delta State holds a 2-0 edge in the series standings, including a 38-36 win in the last meeting on Oct. 19, 2013 in Cleveland.

SEASON-OPENERS: Delta State opens its 85th year of competition Saturday versus Tarleton State University. The Statesmen are 45-35-4 in season-opening games, including a 4-0 record under head coach Todd Cooley. DSU defeated Kentucky Wesleyan, 5-29, in last season's opener at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.

TRACKING THE GSC: The Statesmen (0-0, 0-0 GSC) were picked to finish sixth in the annual Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, their lowest selection since 1997. The 2016 NCAA Division II runner-up, University of North Alabama, enters the season as the GSC preseason favorite. Four Statesmen were named Preseason All-GSC, led by 2016 AFCA All-American Chris Robinson. Offensive tackle Derrick McClelland, linebacker Chandler Ector and return specialist LaDarion Peterson joined Robinson on the squad.    

MAKING A CASE FOR THE HARLON HILL: Senior running back Chris Robinson, a 2016 AFCA All-American, embarks on his final season with the Statesmen, with the 5-foot-9 speedster considered one of the leading candidates for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented annually to NCAA Division II Player of the Year. The Gulf Coast (Miss.) CC transfer led the nation in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game on 24 touchdowns in 2016. The anchor of DSU's ground game, Robinson finished last year as NCAA DII's leader in touchdowns (24) and rushing touchdowns (19) while pacing the GSC in rushing (976 yards) and yards per game (97.6). A dual-threat target for opposing defenses, Robinson has caught 37 passes for 551 yards and five scores.

NEW TURF @ PARKER-McCOOL: DSU Athletics has chosen Hellas Construction's Matrix Turf System for Parker Field-McCool Stadium after failures in the 2014 turf install by another company. The Matrix® synthetic turf system has been developed for athletes to experience a safe, authentic playing experience and is one of the highest rated products in the industry.

STEPPING OUT OF CONFERENCE: Delta State, which is 11-3 under Cooley against teams outside the GSC, will play three non-conference matchups in 2017, including the first two games of the season versus Tarleton State and Chowan. The Statesmen will also travel to Tigerville, S.C., to take on North Greenville on Nov. 4 in a contest against the Crusaders, a team that made an NCAA DII playoff appearance a year ago.  

ROAD GRADERS: Senior bookend tackles Geroge Roberts (6-7, 341) and Derrick McClelland (6-7, 310) fuel a Statesman rushing attack that produced the GSC's leading rusher in Chris Robinson last season. Both student-athletes graded over 90 percent last season and have already drawn visits by NFL scouts this preseason.

TULLO READY TO LEAD DEFENSE: Senior middle linebacker Landry Tullo is ready to lead coach Jerry Partridge's new defense this season for the Statesmen. The Hoover, Ala., native was named to the All-GSC First Team after recording 68 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks. He enters the 2017 season with 151 career stops, 26 tackles-for-loss and 8.5 sacks.

CHASING THE SCORING RECORD: Senior kicker Vince Sciorrotta, who returns after sitting out 2016 with an injury, needs just 10 points this season to break Trevar Deed's (WR | 2008-10) career scoring record at Delta State. The Cumming, Ga., native enters the campaign with 255 points, trailing only Deed's mark of 264. Sciorrotta, a four-year starter from North Forsythe HS, already holds school records for field goals made (33), extra points made (156) and extra points attempted (165).          

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE: Delta State is 18-2 under head coach Todd Cooley when winning the turnover battle.    

LEADING AT THE HALF: Delta State is 21-0 under head coach Todd Cooley when leading at half-time. The Statesmen are 5-10 when trailing and 0-2 when tied at the half.

RACE TO 30: The Statesmen are 24-5 all-time when scoring 30 or more points against an opponent under head coach Todd Cooley.

TELEVISED RESULTS: Delta State will have three games featured this season on the Gulf South Conference's ESPN3 Game of the Week. The Statesmen are 22-11 all-time in televised contests, including a 3-0 mark again the Choctaws. In his three-plus seasons at DSU, coach Todd Cooley is 7-4 in televised games.