Kelvin Green
Camila Segura Sevillano
10
Tusculum University TU 0-1
24
Winner Delta State DSU 1-0
Tusculum University TU
0-1
10
Final
24
Delta State DSU
1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
TU Tusculum University 0 0 0 10 10
DSU Delta State 7 3 14 0 24

Game Recap: Football | | Brian Ramsey

King and Faulk Lead Statesmen to 24-10 Victory Over Tusculum

CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University football team kicked-off the 50th season at Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Thursday in style with a 24-10 win over Tusculum University. The Statesmen (1-0) improve to 6-1 in season openers in the Todd Cooley era, and a perfect 4-0 in the same time period in season openers at home.

DSU's defense, led by Vada King's 13 tackles and Junior Faulk's two interceptions, held the Pioneers (0-1) scoreless throughout the first three quarters. TU got on the board early in the fourth quarter and in the final seconds of the game. The Statesmen forced two turnovers and added a blocked punt in the win. The DSU defense held TU to less than 30 yards on all but four of its 15 offensive possessions.

 
THE BASICS
Score: Delta State 24, Tusculum 3
Records:  Statesmen (1-0, 0-0 GSC), Pioneers (0-1, 0-0 SAC)
Date: Thursday, September 5, 2019 | 6 p.m. Kickoff | TOG: 2:48
Location: Parker Field-McCool Stadium (Cleveland, MS) | Attendance: 5,123
Series: Statesmen lead 2-0
Get Social: Twitter - @DeltaStateFB | Facebook – DSUStatesmen | Instagram – DSUAthletics


HOW IT HAPPENED:
  • Following an interception inside the red zone, the Statesmen scored for the first time of the season with 6:16 remaining in the first quarter on an 18-yard pass from quarterback Patrick Shegog to Vincent Wilkerson.
  • DSU's first lengthy scoring drive of the season ended with a 24-yard field goal from Taylor Crabtree with 5:48 remaining before halftime to cap a 13-play, 72-yard drive that used 4:27.
  • The Statesmen took a 17-0 lead with 11:07 remaining in the third quarter on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Shegog to Jalen Browder to cap an 11-play, 53-yard drive.
  • Rico Owens II put DSU up 24-0 with 8:27 remaining in the third on a 60-yard touchdown run right down the middle of the field. It was the longest rush for the Statesmen since the 2017 season. 
  • The Pioneers broke up the shutout with a 36-yard field goal by Alan Andrzejewski on the second play of the fourth quarter to cap a 13-play, 66-yard drive that used 4:45.
  • TU closed out the game's scoring with its only touchdown of the game with 11 seconds remaining on a 24-yard pass from Joaquin Collazo to Jordon Shippy to cap a 10-play, 72-yard drive. It was TU's longest drive of the game.
 
OFFENSIVE NOTEABLES:
  • DSU quarterback Patrick Shegog finished the game 15-for-28 through the air for 165 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Shegog added 15 rushing yards on six carries.
  • Rico Owens II led the DSU rushing added with 69 yards on seven carries, boosted by a 60-yard touchdown run.
  • Shegog's top receiving target was Leon Green with four receptions for 28 yards. Jalen Browder led the Statesmen in receiving yards with 54 on three receptions, including a 23-yard touchdown catch.
 
DEFENSIVE NOTEABLES:
  • On the second defensive possession, the Statesmen came away with its first forced turnover of the season on an interception by Junior Faulk at the TU 18-yard line. DSU's first touchdown came on the following play.
  • Cornerback Junior Faulk recorded his first interception as a member of the Statesmen in Thursday's win. His pick came with 5:38 remaining in the game.
  • Both teams had seven tackles for losses in the game. The Statesmen totaled three quarterback sacks in the win.
  • DSU's Vada King led both teams with 13 tackles in the win, a new career high for the Smiths Station, Alabama native.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTEABLES:
  • In addition to catching a touchdown pass, DSU's Vincent Wilkerson also blocked a TU punt in the win. The blocked punt came late in the third quarter. It was DSU's first blocked punt since a postseason win over Bowie State in the 2017 season.
  • DSU kicker Taylor Crabtree was perfect in the win, going 3-for-3 on extra points and connecting on his only field goal attempt, a 24-yarder late in the second quarter. It was his eighth career made field goal.
 
UP NEXT:
  • Up next for the Statesmen is a road trip to Allendale, Michigan next Saturday, September 14 to take on Grand Valley State, currently ranked No. 12 in the AFCA Top 25 Poll. DSU lost to the Lakers in last year's home opener by a final score of 21-10.


 
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