GAME NOTES: Shorter University @ Delta State University
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University will look to end its winless streak on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, as the Statesmen (0-7, 0-5 GSC) host the Hawks (0-8, 0-6 GSC) of Shorter University in the Florida Space Coast GSC-TV Game of the Week on ESPN3. Kickoff is set for 6:04 p.m. at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. The Hawks have lost 36 straight games, a streak that began with a 38-17 loss to the Statesmen on Oct. 10, 2015 at Barron Stadium in Rome, Ga., including a 37-24 defeat last week to Mississippi College. Don Russell and Rick Rhoades will have the call for the GSC. Rhoades is a familiar face to the #DSUFamily, as the former DSU head coach returns to the GSC-TV Live production for another year as color analyst. Rhoades led the Statesmen to a 38-20 record from 2002-2006, including a run to the NCAA DII National Semifinals in 2006.     

Thursday's match-up is the sixth meeting between the schools on the gridiron and the third at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. The Statesmen lead the series 5-1, including a 2-0 mark in Cleveland. DSU defeated Shorter, 54-20, on Sept. 23, 2017 in the last meeting between the schools. Breck Ruddick threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns, while Chris Robinson rushed for 118 yards and a pair of scores to lead the Statesmen to victory. In their last trip to Cleveland, the Hawks fell, 47-7. on Sept. 24, 2016.  

Delta State will appear in its final game this season on ESPN3 in the GSC-TV Game of the Week, presented by Florida's Space Coast, this Thursday, Oct. 25 versus Shorter University. The Statesmen fell to Florida Tech (30-12) and West Alabama (17-14) in their first two appearances on ESPN3 this year. The Statesmen are 22-13 all-time in televised contests, including a 11-6 mark under coach Todd Cooley.              
 
Patrick Shegog, a 5-foot-11 freshman from Batesville, Miss., continues to grow into his role as Delta State's starting quarterback. After setting career-highs for completions (23), attempts (44) and passing yards (295) versus North Greenville, the former South Panola High star has shown improvement each week. Shegog completed 16-of-26 passes for 219 yards and a pair of touchdowns versus No. 11 West Florida, and followed up that outing by completing 17-of-23 passes for 162 yards and touchdown at No. 10 Valdosta State.  On the road at West Alabama, Shegog completed 20-of-40 passes for 208 yards. He has completed 112-of-205 passes for 1,155 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions. The speedy signal-caller is also lethal with his feet, rushing for 280 yards on 97 carries with three touchdowns.


BEHIND ENEMY LINES: SHORTER HAWKS

• Delta State and Shorter are meeting for sixth time in the series on Thursday, Oct. 25, as the Statesmen host the Hawks in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:04 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN3. DSU leads the series 5-1, including five straight victories over the Hawks. The Statesmen claimed a 54-20 victory at Barron Stadium on Sept. 23, 2017 in the last meeting between the schools.
   
• Former Shorter All-American Zach Morrison is in his first season as head coach of the Hawks. A member of Shorter's inaugural football team in 2005, Morrison started every game during his four years with the Hawks. During that time, he was a three-time All-Mid-South Conference and Academic All-Mid-South selection. As a senior in 2008, he was named a College Fanz second team All-American and an NAIA Scholar-Athlete. He was a key member of Shorter's first-ever conference championship squad, helping the Hawks to the Mid-South Conference title in 2008.
   
• Josh Duncan, a senior corner from Anniston, Ala., is currently tied for third in the GSC in passes defended with six. He has totaled 13 tackles with two interceptions and six PBUs this season.
   
• Dual-threat quarterback Tyler Pullum has put up solid passing numbers this season for the Hawks. The junior from Effingham, Ga., has completed 117-of-203 passes for 1,153 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions.
   
• Shorter enters Saturday's game averaging 251.7 yards of total offense, while surrendering 548.7 yards.