GAME NOTES: Mississippi College @ Delta State
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The 2018 campaign will come to a close on Saturday, Nov. 10, as the Statesmen (1-8, 1-6 GSC) of Delta State University host in-state rival Mississippi College (3-6, 1-5 GSC) in the 39th Heritage Bell Classic.  Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Both teams are coming off losses last week, as the Statesmen fell 29-17 at No. 3 West Georgia and the Choctaws dropped a 24-3 decision to West Alabama.     

Saturday's match-up is the 39th meeting between the schools on the gridiron and the 17th at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. In a series that dates back to 1933, the Statesmen lead 21-15-2, including an 11-5-1 mark in Cleveland. Delta State has also won the last six meetings with the Choctaws, including the last four with Mississippi College since its return to NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference. The Statesmen defeated the Choctaws, 30-17, on Sept. 30, 2017, after Breck Ruddick and Chris Robinson combined for 230 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns.     

The #DSUFamily will be observing the 86th Homecoming game in Delta State history on Saturday versus Mississippi College. DSU is 54-29-1 all-time in Homecoming games, including a 4-0 record against the Choctaws. DSU defeated Florida Tech, 42-20, on Nov. 11 in last year's Homecoming Classic. The Statesmen last hosted Mississippi College for Homecoming on Nov. 15, 2014, claiming a 27-3 victory and securing a share of the their seventh Gulf South Conference championship. DSU has also claimed Homecoming victories over MC in 1948 (W, 7-6), 1955 (W, 41-0) and 1977 (W, 24-21).    
 
While the 2018 season has seen a youth movement within the program, Delta State football, coach Todd Cooley, the staff, and the Department of Athletics will recognize 23 seniors prior to Saturday's game during a special pregame ceremony.  This year's class includes Adarrius Benson (FB), Quan Boone (DE), Josh Bradford (DE), Earnest Butler (LB), Donovan Carter (OL), Ovenson Cledanord (LB), Chandler Ector (LB), Benji Galbraith (TE), Darren Gardenhire (CB), Tyler Harrell (WR), Tommy Harris (DE), Dillon Helm (WR), David Herrington (LB), Tyler Hood (RB), Chris Jones (OL), Tramond Lofton (DE), John McInnis (WR), Cody Mills (P), Shane Pollan (TE), Ivan Smith Jr. (Mgr.),  Brandon Tillman (S), Isaac Warren (S), and Kam Williams (WR).
 

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BEHIND ENEMY LINES: MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

• Delta State and Mississippi College are meeting for 38th time in the series on Saturday, Nov. 10, as the Statesmen (1-8, 1-6 GSC) host the Choctaws (3-6, 1-5 GSC) in the Heritage Bell Classic. The Statesmen lead the all-time series 21-15-2 after claiming a 30-17 victory on Sept. 23, 2017 in the last meeting between the programs. DSU is also 11-5-1 against MC at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.
   
• The Choctaws are currently on a two game losing skid after falling 24-3 to West Alabama, but enter Saturday's showdown with victories over Clark Atlanta (31-30). Southwest Baptist (34-9) and Shorter (37-24).
   
• Mississippi College ranks 12th in NCAA Division II football in rushing yards per game (271.3). Detric Hawthorn ranks second in the GSC with 916 yards on 168 carries, while Tiberius Lampkin is fifth with 661 yards on 118 carries.
   
• The Choctaws rank fourth in total offense (371.6) and eighth in total defense (409.2) entering this week's game with Delta State.
   
• Junior defensive back Derric Hawthorn leads the Choctaws and ranks 18th in the GSC with 49.0 tackles this season. The Collins, Miss., native and former Jones County JC transfer is averaging 5.4 tackles per game.
   
• John Bland is in his fifth season as head coach of Mississippi College. The former University of Arkansas quarterback is 85-65 in 14 seasons as a head coach, including a 10-39 mark with the Choctaws.  
   

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86TH HOMECOMING SET FOR SATURDAY AT DELTA STATE: The #DSUFamily will be observing the 86th Homecoming game in Delta State history on Saturday, Nov. 10, as the Statesmen welcome Mississippi College to Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. DSU is 54-29-1 all-time in Homecoming games, including a 4-0 record against the Choctaws. DSU defeated Florida Tech, 42-20, on Nov. 11 in last year's Homecoming Classic.  

KING HAS CAREER DAY VERSUS WOLVES: Vada King had a career day for the Statesmen, recording eight tackles, including a sack and a tackle-for-loss. All tackles were unassisted. The Smiths Station, Ala., native and former Holmes CC transfer has recorded 48 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss and a sack over the course of the season. He currently ranks seventh in TFLs per game in the GSC.

CLEDANORD & HERRINGTON PACING STATESMEN DEFENDERS: Senior linebackers Ovenson Cledanord and David Herrington are pacing the Statesmen defense this season in tackles, ranking fourth and eighth respectively in the GSC tackles per game. Cledanord has totaled 65 tackles (7.2 TPG) this season despite a broken hand, while Herrington has 51 (6.4 TPG).  

ON THE BIG SCREEN: Delta State appeared in its final game this season on ESPN3 in the GSC-TV Game of the Week, presented by Florida's Space Coast, this past Thursday, Oct. 25, defeating the Shorter University Hawks, 46-20, at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. 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 23-13 all-time in televised contests, including a 12-6 mark under coach Cooley.          

AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS: The Statesmen have faced five ranked opponents in 2018 after falling to No. 3 West Georgia, 29-17, on Saturday, Nov. 3 in Carrollton.  DSU is 0-5 this season against opponents in the AFCA Top 25 Poll after losses to No. 3 Grand Valley State (21-10), No. 11 West Florida (30-21), No. 21 Tarleton State (44-13) and 59-28 to then-No. 11 Valdosta State. The Statesmen are 11-12 all-time under coach Todd Cooley against teams in the nation's top 25.

MILLS PACING GSC PACK: Senior punter Cody Mills has been a major weapon for the Statesmen this season, nailing a GSC leading 2,763 yards on 61 kicks. The Oxford, Miss., native is averaging a career-high 45.3 yards per punt, including 24 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line. He's also booted 19 punts greater than 50 yards, including the fourth longest punt in school history, a 76-yard effort at Tarleton State.  

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE: Delta State is 26-2 under head coach Todd Cooley when winning the turnover battle.     

RACE TO 30: The Statesmen are 32-5 all-time when scoring 30 or more points against an opponent under head coach Todd Cooley.

CRADLE OF COACHES: Delta State University has more than 300 alumni coaching football at every level of the game? In fact, Cleveland has become a "Cradle of Coaches" as several high-profile jobs have been filled recently by Statesman alums or former assistants. This summer former Delta State standout Pete Golding was hired by Nick Saban as his co-DC at the University of Alabama. From 2002-2005, Golding anchored the Statesman secondary, racking-up 285 tackles with five career interceptions. The two-time All-Gulf South Conference selection ranks fourth in school history in career tackles. He began his career as a graduate assistant under former head coach Rick Rhoades and thrived as DC for four-time GSC champion head coach Ron Roberts at DSU and SE Louisiana before heading to UT-San Antonio.