CARROLLTON, Georgia – The University of West Georgia Wolves (10-0, 7-0 GSC) scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Statesmen (1-8, 1-6 GSC) of Delta State University, 29-17, on Senior Day. DSU led 17-12 at halftime after a spirited first half. Willie Candler completed 21-of-24 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns for the Wolves.
THE BASICS
Score: #3 West Georgia 29, Delta State 17
Records: Statesmen (1-8, 1-6 GSC), No. 3 Wolves (10-0, 7-0 GSC)
Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018 | 2 p.m. Kickoff |
TOG: 3:01
Location: Ra-Lin Field at University Stadium (Carrollton, Ga.)
Attendance: 8,333
Series: Statesmen lead 19-14
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Omar Cervantes' 20-yard field goal gave the Wolves a 3-0 lead with 7:07 to play in the first quarter.
- Tyler Harrell capped a 5-play, 83-yard drive, hauling in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Shegog with 1:27 to play in the first quarter. Harrell's third scoring reception of the year put the Statesmen up 7-3.
- Taylor Crabtree cashed in a UWG fumble with a 33-yard field goal to put the Statesmen up a touchdown, 10-3, with 14:51 to go in the second quarter.
- LePerion Perry's 63-yard touchdown reception from Willie Candler cut DSU's lead to 10-9 with 9:09 to play in the first half. UWG's point after attempt was no good.
- Delta State answered on its next drive, as Shegog rumbled into the endzone for a 6-yard score. His fourth rushing touchdown of the season extended DSU's lead to 17-9 with 4:05 to go in the second quarter.
- Cervantes nailed a 41-yard field goal with 1:09 left in the first half to cut the DSU lead to five, 17-12.
- Candler's 89-yard touchdown pass to Perry gave the Wolves the lead, 19-17, with 9:49 to go in the third quarter.
- Cervantes boomed a 27-yard field goal, his third of the day, to extend UWG's lead to 22-17 with 7:01 left in the third.
- Raekwon Chatmon's 49-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the second half comeback for the Wolves, as UWG took a 29-17 lead with 2:21 to go in the fourth.
OFFENSIVE NOTEABLES:
- Shegog completed a career-high 24 passes on 38 attempts for 158 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The freshman from Batesville, MIss., rushed 18 times for 66 yards and a score as well.
- Tyler Harrell led Statesmen receivers with five grabs for 41 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown.
- UWG's Candler completed 21-of-24 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns.
- Devontae Jackson led all rushers with 100 yards on 18 carries for the Wolves. UWG's all-time leading rusher improved his season total to 1,160 yards.
- Perry hauled in six receptions for a career-best 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Wolves receiving corps.
DEFENSIVE NOTEABLES:
- Vada King had a career day for the Statesmen, recording eight tackles, including a sack and a tackle-for-loss. All tackles were unassisted.
- Chandler Ector tallied seven tackles with four tackles-for-loss.
- Ovenson Cledanord tallied seven stops with a pair of sacks and three tackles-for-loss.
- Ryan Hudkins, who returned after a long absence due to injury, recovered a Wolves fumble forced by Quintarious Boone, leading to a first half score for the Statesmen.
- UWG's Montrell Pardue led all defenders with 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTEABLES:
- Statesmen punter Cody Mills punted six times for 291 yards, an average of 48.5 yards per attempt.
- Darren Gardenhire returned five kickoffs for a season-high 111 yards.
OTHER NOTEABLES:
- The Statesmen are now 30-2 when leading at halftime under head coach Todd Cooley.
UP NEXT:
- The Statesmen return to Parker Field-McCool Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 10, as Delta State hosts archrival Mississippi College on Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.