TIGERVILLE, S.C.  -- The 13th-ranked Statesmen (6-0 overall, 3-0 GSC) continue to live up to the 'Road Warriors' moniker as they defeat the North Greenville Crusaders (2-4, 1-2) for their fifth road win in the last six games. The Delta State offense has gotten most of the praise over the last few weeks, but it was the Delta State defense who arguably made the most noise in the 47-14 win. The Statesmen defense kept the Crusaders off the scoreboard in the second half and forced four interceptions.

THE BASICS

Score: #13 Delta State 47 | North Greenville 14

Records: Statesmen (6-0, 3-0 GSC) | Crusaders (2-4, 1-2 GSC)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022

Location: Younts Stadium | Tigerville, SC

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Statesmen were forced to punt on their opening drive, got an interception, but ultimately were forced to punt again. NGU made them pay two plays later on an 80-yard touchdown strike from Dylan Ramirez to Darius Young for the only score of the first quarter. 7-0 Crusaders.

• Delta State converts on a 4th-and-3 play to start the second quarter and finishes the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run from Kory Gainwell. Tied 7-7.

• The Statesmen defense forces a punt and the offense thanks them seven plays later with a 1-yard touchdown run by Patrick Shegog. 14-7 Delta State.

• North Greenville drives to the DSU 12 on their next drive, but Malik Jones makes an excellent read and takes an interception back 99 yards for a Statesmen touchdown. 21-7 Delta State.

• The Crusaders score four plays later on a 10-yard pass from Ramirez to Demetrius McKelvey to end the scoring for the first half. 21-14 Delta State.

• DSU forces a 3-and-out on NGU's first drive of the second half. The Statesmen are back on the board seven plays later thanks to a 25-yard field goal make by Nick Herber. 24-14 Delta State.

• Later in the third, a 60-yard punt by Parker Burleson sets up NGU at their own 4-yard line. The DSU defensive line created enough pressure to force an intentional grounding against Ramirez in the endzone for a safety. 26-14 Delta State.

• Delta State scores five plays later on the extra possession on a 34-yard pass from Shegog to Tyler Kennedy. 33-14 Delta State.

• The Statesmen score on their first drive of the fourth quarter on a 65-yard touchdown pass from Shegog to Calvin Lockett. 40-14 Delta State.

• DSU caps off the scoring for the day with a 14-yard touchdown carry by Alfonso Franklin with 5:34 left in regulation. 47-14 Delta State.

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES:

• Patrick Shegog was 18-for-29 for 259 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He carried the ball 9 times for 72 yards and a score.

• Three Statesmen backs rushed for at or near 60 yards: Christian Malloy (65 yds), Kory Gainwell (64 yds), and Alfonso Franklin (59 yds).

• Calvin Lockett caught six passes for 109 yards and a score.

• Tremell Withrow made four catches for 6 yards.

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES:

• Tyrell Goldsmith recorded seven total tackles and two interceptions.

• Malik Jones recorded four tackles and had a 99-yard pick-six.

• Marlon Windham recorded seven total tackles.

• Carl Hopkins recorded four tackles and an interception.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTABLES:

• Kicker Nick Herber hit a field goal from 25 yards out and was 6-for-6 on his extra-point attempts.

• Tyler Kennedy returned two kickoffs for 39 yards.

• Parker Burleson added 6 more touchbacks to his total that led DII football entering Saturday's game.

OTHER NOTABLES:

• NGU outgains DSU 325-281 in passing offense, but the Statesmen take total offense 568-474.

• Delta State plays in (and wins) 5 road games in their first six games of the season.

UP NEXT:

Delta State returns to Parker-McCool next Saturday, 10/15 at 6:00 pm for their Pink-Out game the West Alabama Tigers (3-2, 1-1).