CLEVELAND, MS -- The 25th-ranked Statesmen (5-0 overall, 2-0 GSC) had a historic night in their 70-31 victory over #13 Valdosta State (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday. Delta State's performance in the return to Parker-McCool was the first time in 21 years of GSC play that a team has scored 70 points in a conference game (10/6/2001: Valdosta State def. Delta State 70-12). The Statesmen also came close to the single-game record for total yardage with 703 yards on the night (11/13/2010: 717 yards vs Lambuth).
THE BASICS
Score: #25 Delta State 70 | #13 Valdosta State 31
Records: Statesmen (5-0, 2-0 GSC) | Blazers (3-2, 1-1 GSC)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022
Location: Parker Field at McCool Stadium | Cleveland, MS
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
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The Statesmen never reached third down on their opening drive, going 75 yards in 8 plays. The drive ends on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Shegog to Tremell Withrow. 7-0 Delta State.
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The Delta State defense forces a Blazer punt on their first drive. Shegog connects with Dohnte Meyers on a crossing route for a 6-yard score. 14-0 Delta State.
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Valdosta State scores on the last play of the first quarter with an 11-play drive that ends in a 22-yard field goal by Estin Thiele. 14-3 Delta State.
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Shegog ends the following DSU drive with an 18-yard touchdown run. 21-3 Delta State.
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The Blazers find the endzone seven plays later on a 5-yard pass from QB Ivory Durham to B.K. Smith. 21-10 Delta State.
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Delta State keeps the pressure on the Blazers on the following drive. Shegog connects with Todd Lee Battle on a 23-yard pass for a score with a defender draped all over Battle. 28-10 Delta State
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The Blazers go three-and-out on the following drive and pay on the next Statesmen drive with another touchdown run by Shegog from 5 yards out. 35-10 Delta State.
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Another Valdosta State three-and-out gives the Statesmen the ball back with 2:56 left at the half. Shegog hits Calvin Lockett four plays later for a 63-yard touchdown pass. 42-10 Delta State.
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Valdosta State scores just before the end of the half on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Ivory to Ted Hurst. Delta State takes a knee to go to the locker room with a 42-17 advantage.
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Valdosta State starts the second half with the ball, but the Statesmen get the ball back on an interception by Christian Gomez. Delta State scores 4 plays later on another 5-yard touchdown run by Shegog. 49-17 Delta State.
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Another VSU punt sets up an 11-play drive for the Statesmen that ends in a 1-yard touchdown run by Kelvin Smith. 56-17 Delta State.
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VSU misses a 33-yard field goal attempt on the following drive and the Statesmen start to roll in the second-team players. Cole Kirk finds Withrow for a 38-yard score eight plays after the missed FG. 63-17 Delta State.
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The Blazers score on the first play of the fourth quarter on a double-pass touchdown from Seth McGill to Hurst for a 55-yard score. 63-24 Delta State.
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Alfonso Franklin caps off the next Statesmen drive with a 2-yard score. 70-24 Delta State.
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Valdosta State ends the scoring for the night on a 2-yard touchdown rush by Travis Tisdale. Delta State wins 70-31.
OFFENSIVE NOTABLES:
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Patrick Shegog was 26-for-29 (89.6%) for 346 yards with four touchdowns. He carried the ball 9 times for 65 yards and three scores.
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Calvin Lockett led the DSU receivers in yardage with 85 yards and a score.
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Alfonso Franklin led the team in rushing with 66 yards and a score.
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Tremell Withrow made three catches for 63 yards and two scores.
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Kelvin Smith carried the ball 9 times for 47 yards and a touchdown.
DEFENSIVE NOTABLES:
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTABLES:
OTHER NOTABLES:
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Delta State's offense was 11-for-14 on third down conversions while holding Valdosta State to 4-for-11.
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Both teams were perfect on fourth down conversion with Delta State converting on their three attempts.
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Delta State out-gains Valdosta State 703-420.
UP NEXT:
Delta State travels to Tigerville, South Carolina next Saturday, 10/8 at 1:00 pm ET/12:00 pm CT for a conference meeting with the North Greenville Crusaders (2-3, 1-1).