GAME NOTES (PDF): Chowan at Delta State

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University welcomes Chowan University to Parker Field-McCool Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 9 for the "official" home opener for the Statesmen, who defeated Tarleton State, 34-16, last Saturday at Parks Field-Sellers Stadium in the season-opener. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network.       

The Statesmen (1-0, 0-0 GSC) and Hawks (0-1, 0-0 CIAA) are meeting for the first time on the gridiron and the first time in any sport between the schools.

Chowan was picked to finish fourth in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's Northern Division after a 6-4 finish in 2016 that included a 35-28 victory over West Florida. Tim Place, who has guided the Hawks to back-to-back winning seasons in NCAA Division II, is entering his 10th season as head coach at Chowan. 

Saturday's matchup with Chowan will be the first on the newly installed artificial turf at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Hellas Construction completed installation of DSU's new Matrix Turf System on Wednesday, Sept. 6, just four weeks after beginning the project. Earlier this summer, Delta State hired Hellas Construction to completely replace the surface at the facility after it was determined the 2014 turf, installed by another firm, was no longer safe for competition.

DSU Athletics chose Hellas' Matrix Turf system for Parker Field-McCool Stadium. The Matrix® Synthetic Turf System has been developed for athletes to experience a safe, authentic playing experience. For more information on the Matrix® Turf system, please click here.

Delta State Athletics & the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will host three Make-A-Wish kids during Saturday's contest. A special half-time recognition is planned in their honor. In the last three years, Delta State student-athletes have ranked in the top 10 in all of NCAA Division II in money raised for Make-A-Wish, the official charity of the DII Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. During that time, Make-A-Wish Mississippi has used those funds to grant four wishes. For more information on Make-A-Wish, please click here.
 

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FACING THE FOE: CHOWAN

INSIDE THE SERIES: The Statesmen (1-0, 0-0 GSC) and Hawks (0-1, 0-0 CIAA) are meeting for the first time on the gridiron and the first time in any sport between the schools. Chowan was picked to finish fourth in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's Northern Division after a 6-4 finish in 2016 that included a 35-28 victory over West Florida. Tim Place, who has guided the Hawks to back-to-back winning seasons in NCAA Division II, is entering his 10th season as head coach at Chowan.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE EDGES CHOWAN IN OPENER: Chowan's late game heroics fell short last Saturday, as Fayetteville State edged the Hawks, 24-21, in the season-opener for both teams. The Hawks' prolific offense rolled up 467 yards, including 166 on the ground from Tyrell Freeman, but Chowan could not overcome two interceptions that kept FSU in control of the contest. Fayetteville State managed just 234 yards of offense. Hawks quarterback Bryce Witt completed 17-of-28 attempts for 257 yards and three touchdowns, including three grabs by Adrian McNeil.  

HAWKS PICKED FOURTH IN CIAA NORTHERN: Coming off back-to-back 6-4 seasons, the Hawks are picked to finish fourth overall in the CIAA Northern Division behind defending Northern champion, Bowie State, Virginia State and Virginia Union. Overall, Chowan was picked to finish sixth among the league with Winston-Salem State and Fayetteville State from the Southern Division being slotted above the Hawks.

BOONE & WYCHE NAMED PRESEASON ALL-CIAA: Offensive lineman Donald Boone, and defensive Lineman Nate Wyche, were named preseason All-CIAA.   
 

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QUICK-HITTERS: DELTA STATE

STATESMEN CORRAL THE TEXANS: Behind the stellar rushing performance of Harlon Hill candidate Chris Robinson and the defensive leadership of Johnquavious McBride, the Statesmen (1-0) cruised to a 34-16 victory over Tarleton State in the season-opener last Saturday in front of 5,155 at Parks Field-Sellers Stadium. DSU built a 34-4 lead late in the fourth quarter before two late Texans' touchdowns made the final margin 18 points. Robinson finished the day with 106 yards rushing and a touchdown, while McBride paced all Statesman defenders with eight tackles, two tackles-for-loss and an interception. 



SEASON-OPENER: Delta State opened its 85th year of competition last Saturday with a 34-16 victory over Tarleton State University. The Statesmen are now 46-35-4 in season-opening games, including a 5-0 record under head coach Todd Cooley.

STEPPING OUT OF CONFERENCE: Delta State, which is 12-2 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 (W, 34-16) 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.  

MAKING A CASE FOR THE HARLON HILL: Senior running back Chris Robinson, a 2016 AFCA All-American, picked up where he left off last year, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown in the 34-16 victory over Tarleton State. For his efforts, the 5-foot-9 speedster considered by many to be one of the leading candidates for the Harlon Hill Trophy, was named the GSC Offensive Player of the Week. 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.

GANG GREEN DEFENSE SHINES IN WIN OVER TARLETON: Led by new defensive coordinator Jerry Partridge, the "Gang Green Defense" held a powerful Tarleton State offense in check all afternoon in last week's 34-16 win. Johnquavious McBride paced all defenders with eight tackles, 2.0 TFL, and an interception. Landry Tullo finished with seven stops, while Jamoral Graham had 6.5 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, and two pass break-ups. Ovenson Cledanord closed the game with 5.0 tackles, 1.0 sacks, and 1.0 TFL. Devontae Wilson broke the school record & tied the GSC mark with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter of Saturday's victory.

GREEN MAKES MOST OF GRABS: Sophomore wide receiver and Cleveland, Miss., native Leon Green made the most of his two receptions, setting up a touchdown with his 44-yard reception in the second quarter and scoring his first career touchdown on an 11-yard reception in the fourth.
 

ROBINSON GRABS GSC OFFENSIVE POW: Running back Chris Robinson has been named Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Robinson earned the honor after totaling 138 all-purpose yards, including 106 on the ground, with a touchdown in DSU's 34-16 season opening win over Tarleton State. The touchdown marked the 25th of his career. This is Robinson's fourth honor of his career, and the second straight time he earned the award after the first game of the season.

RUDDICK SOLID IN DEBUT: Sophomore Breck Ruddick proved to be a solid choice at quarterback for coach Todd Cooley last week, as the Marion, Ark., native completed 11-of-16 passes for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Missouri State transfer also rushed for 69 yards on 10 carries. Ruddick's 220 yards of total offense was a key factor in DSU's victory over Tarleton State.

OFFENSIVE LINE SHOWS DOMINANCE: Led by bookend tackles George Roberts (6-7, 347, Sr.) and Derrick McClelland (6-7, 315, Sr.), the Statesman offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage versus Tarleton State. The squad helped DSU rushed for 208 yards while not allowing a sack.     

CHASING THE SCORING RECORD: Senior kicker Vince Sciorrotta, who returns after sitting out 2016 with an injury, needs just six 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 259 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 (160) and extra points attempted (170).          

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE: Delta State is 19-2 under head coach Todd Cooley when winning the turnover battle.    

LEADING AT THE HALF: Delta State is 22-0 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 25-5 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.