CLEVELAND, Miss. – No. 11 West Florida scored 24 second-half points to record a 30-21 come-from-behind victory over Delta State University on Saturday, Sept. 29 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium in the 2nd annual Hall of Fame Classic. After outgaining the Argos (4-1, 3-0 Gulf South Conference) in the first half by a margin of 292-140, the Statesmen (0-5, 0-2 GSC) were held scoreless with less than 100 yards in the final 30 minutes.

Delta State honored its 12 inductees into the Sports Hall of Fame during a special halftime ceremony. The 2018 Induction class included Ken Baker (Track & Field), Londale Bankston (Football), Weenonah Montgomery Dearing (Women's Tennis/Basketball), Scott Eyster (Football), Rodney Francis (Men's Basketball), Jay Hale (Men's Golf), Jasper Johnson (Men's Basketball), Trey LaBella (Men's Swimming & Diving), Leslie Pourciau Patten (Softball), Mike Rosamond (Baseball), Jennifer Rushing (Women's Basketball) and Marcus Van Every (Baseball).
      
DSU Athletics also presented Dr. Bob Ferguson (Football) with the prestigious Distinguished Statesman Award. The award is presented annually by the DSU Athletic Alumni Association to a former Delta State University Statesmen or Lady Statesman who has distinguished themselves through contributions to the programs in which a situation, institution, or movement has been changed for the better because of that person's participation.

The 2018 Coaches Hall of Fame included a pair of inductees, Barbara Varner (Tennis) and Dominic Bevelaque (Football | 1949-52). Coach Varner was a pioneer, as Delta State's first female tennis coach. Coach Bevelaque enjoyed a distinguished career as a football coach across many levels.
 
THE BASICS

Score: No. 11 West Florida 30, Delta State 21
Records:  Argonauts (4-1, 3-0 GSC), Statesmen (0-5, 0-3 GSC)
Date: Saturday, September 29, 2018 | 6:00 p.m. Kickoff | TOG: 2:40
Location: Parker Field-McCool Stadium (Cleveland, MS) | Attendance: 5,678
Series: Statesmen lead 2-1
Get Social: Twitter - @DeltaStateFB | Facebook – DSUStatesmen | Instagram – DSUAthletics


HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Statesmen opened the scoring on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Shegog to Jake McDonald at the 9:01 mark of the first quarter. It tied the third-longest passing play of the season.
• The Argos responded with a 30-yard field goal from Austin Williams with 4:18 remaining in the first quarter. It capped a 13-play, 59-yard drive that used 4:35.
• Delta State took a 14-3 lead in the opening minute of the second quarter on a two-yard touchdown rush by Trey Roberson to cap an 11-play, 86-yard drive that used 4:39.
• The Statesmen once again held the Argos to a field goal attempt to cap a long drive with Austin Williams connecting on a 32-yard field goal with 9:58 remaining in the second quarter.
• Shegog connected with Leon Green for the longest touchdown pass of the season to put the Statesmen up 21-6 with 1:24 before halftime. It was a 45-yard deep pass down the DSU sideline.
• The Argos added another field goal to open the second-half scoring. UWF's Austin Williams connected on a 37-yarder at the 11:25 mark of the third quarter to trim the Statesmen lead to 21-9.
• UWF pulled to within one score midway through the third with a pair of big plays – a 45-yard rush by Chris Schwarz and a 28-yard touchdown pass from Sam Vaughn to Quentin Randolph. That score left the Statesmen with a 21-16 advantage.
• The Argos took the lead for the first time with 12:38 remaining in the game on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Sam Vaughn to Lee Walker to cap an 11-play, 59-yard drive that took just over four minutes. That score put the Argos up 23-21.
• The Argos went 94 yards for the game's final scoring drive, capped by a three-yard touchdown pass from Sam Vaughn to Ezra Saffold with 2:36 remaining to give UWF its final margin on the scoreboard at 30-21.

 
OFFENSIVE NOTEABLES:

• The Statesmen scored a season-high 21 points against the Argos.
• Jake McDonald's receiving touchdown to open the game's scoring was his first score of the season and the first of his DSU career.
• Trey Roberson's rushing touchdown in the second quarter was his first score of the season and second of his DSU career.
• Leon Green's touchdown reception just before halftime was his first score of the season and the third of his DSU career.
• Patrick Shegog finished the game 16-for-26 through the air for 219 yards and two touchdowns and three interceptions.
• Kelon Wilson led DSU's rushing attack with 15 carries for 73 yards. Shegog added 15 carries for 64 yards.
• Jake McDonald was Shegog's favorite target in the game with seven receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown.
• UWF's Chris Schwarz totaled 171 rushing yards on 17 carries.

 
DEFENSIVE NOTEABLES:

• Statesmen senior Tramond Lofton added to his team-high in sacks with one in the first quarter against UWF, a loss 11 yards. He now has 3.5 sacks this season.
• The Statesmen defense recorded a season-high 10 pass breakups against the Argos. Chris Pickett had four.
• DSU's David Herrington led both teams with a total of 13 tackles. He also had three pass deflections.
• Alden McClellon led UWF in tackles with nine.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTEABLES:

• Delta State's Cody Mills added to his GSC-leading punting statistics in the loss to UWF with seven punts for 344 yards and an average of 49.1 yards per punt.

 
OTHER NOTEABLES:

• Delta State is 0-5 for the first time since 1997.
• The Statesmen recognized 13 former student-athletes during halftime of the UWF game as a part of the university's hall of fame festivities.
• This is the second of five nationally ranked opponents on the 2018 schedule for the Statesmen.
• The Statesmen now lead the Argos 2-1 in the all-time series.

UP NEXT:

• The Statesmen are back in action next Saturday, October 6 on the road against No.13 Valdosta State. Kickoff is set for noon central time in Valdosta, Georgia.