ROME, Ga.  -- The 8th-ranked Statesmen (8-0 overall, 5-0 GSC) took care of business in Western Georgia, winning their sixth road game of the year at Shorter (2-6, 0-6). The Statesmen out-gained the Hawks 494-341 in total yardage. The Delta State attack was fairly balanced with 293 passing yards and 241 rushing. Three Delta State rushers combined for four of their five total touchdowns.
"8-0 is really nice. We've still got some things we can improve on, but we showed up, kept playing, and I'm really excited about where we are," said Statesmen head coach Todd Cooley. "We've got a big one next week (vs Mississippi College), we need rest. These extra days off are going to be very valuable."

THE BASICS

Score: #8 Delta State 45 | Shorter 10

Records: Statesmen (8-0, 5-0 GSC) | Hawks (2-6, 0-5 GSC)

Date: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022

Location: Barron Stadium | Rome, GA

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Delta State scores on their second drive of the game, going 88 yards in 12 plays. The drive ends with a 14-yard touchdown run by Kory Gainwell. 7-0 Delta State.

• An interception by Malik Jones sets up the Statesmen at the Shorter 49-yard line. Delta State scores six plays later on a 10-yard pass from Patrick Shegog to Dohnte Meyers. 14-0 Delta State.

• Shorter is unable to convert on their following possession, despite having 1st-and-goal from their own 4-yard line. The Statesmen then went 97 yards in 7 plays, capped off by a 57-yard run by Christian Malloy for score. 21-0 Delta State at the end of the first quarter.

• Delta State's first drive of the second quarter saw them go 81 yards in 13 plays, highlighted by a 32-yard pass from Shegog to Todd Lee Battle. Shegog ended the drive himself with a 1-yard rushing score. 28-0 Delta State.

• The following Shorter drive saw the Hawks advance all the way to the DSU 21-yard line, but the drive ends on a fumble that Joseph Barton takes 71-yards for a Delta State defensive score. 35-0 Delta State at the end of the half.

• Shorter finds the scoreboard on their first drive of the second half. They end their 7-play drive on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Cook to Morlock. 35-7 Delta State.

• Delta State only needed 2:11 to go 52 yards on their next drive, which ended with another 1-yard scoring run for Shegog. 42-7 Delta State.

• Nick Herber extends the DSU lead with 3:49 left in the third with a 24-yard field goal, which also ends the scoring for the quarter. 45-7 Delta State.

• Shorter begins the fourth with a field goal of their own from 37 yards out by Nicholas Pope. It would also be the final scoring play of the game. 45-10 Delta State.

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES:

• Patrick Shegog was 23-for-29 for 233 yards with one touchdown pass. He also carried the ball 3 times for two touchdowns.

• Christian Malloy carried the ball four times for 72 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown run.

• Kory Gainwell recorded ten rushes for 58 yards and a score. Jarred Singleton carried the ball nine times for 64 yards.

• Dohnte Meyers caught a team-high seven passes for 76 yards and a score. Tyler Kennedy also caught three passes for 68 yards.

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES:

• Joseph Barton scored on a 71-yard fumble recovery.

• Malik Jones led the team with 7 total tackles, 3 of which were solos, and one for a loss.

• Demario Martin, Lamarcus Faulkner, and Timaje Porter each recorded a sack for the Statesmen.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTABLES:

• Kicker Nick Herber made his lone field goal attempt from 24 yards out and also made all six of his extra-point attempts.

OTHER NOTABLES:

• Delta State was 8-of-13 on third down conversion attempts while holding Shorter to 4-of-14.

• Delta State Football improves to 8-0 for the first time since 2000 (that team started the season 9-0).

UP NEXT:

Delta State will play their seventh and final road trip of the regular season next Saturday, October 29 when they travel to Clinton, MS to take on rival Mississippi College (4-3, 3-1).