CLEVELAND, Miss. - Statesmen football (10-1 overall, 6-1 GSC) has earned a fifth game at Parker-McCool Stadium this Saturday as the Statesmen welcome the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's Fayetteville State Broncos (9-2, 7-1 CIAA) to Cleveland. This is the first time the Statesmen have hosted a playoff game since the 2013 season. Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network. Delta State will also broadcast home playoff games for free on the Statesmen Sports Network.

Delta State's 17-7 win against West Alabama (5-6, 3-4) last Saturday featured a defensive performance in which the Statesmen only allowed one Tiger score in their four redzone trips. The Statesmen were out-gained 338-254, but held the Tigers to only 56 rushing yards after rushing for 300+ the week prior against Mississippi College.

The Statesmen will also be bringing plenty of accolades into Saturday's game with Thursday's announcement of 12 players being named to the All-GSC team, as well as Patrick Shegog and Todd Cooley being named GSC Offensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year respectively. Delta State will also carry the metaphorical banner of GSC champion into the game, but their first-round opponent has plenty to be proud of as well, including a 2022 conference title of their own.


SERIES NOTEBOOK: FAYETTEVILLE STATE
• This is the first meeting between Delta State and Fayetteville State. This is the fourth playoff meeting between DSU and a current member of the CIAA, with Delta State owning wins against Elizabeth City State in 2006, Shaw in 2007, and Bowie State in 2017. They are joined in Super Region 2 by fellow CIAA member Virginia Union, the No. 4 seed.

• Fayetteville State opened up their season with a 15-13 home win against UNC Pembroke (5-6, 5-5). The Broncos out-gained Pembroke 302-260. Quarterback K'hari Lane completed 15 of his 30 attempts for 181 yards and an interception.

• The Broncos fell 21-3 at home the following week in a non-conference game to the Wingate Bulldogs (9-2, 6-2 SAC), a team who made it to the playoffs and will face Virginia Union in the first round. The Bulldogs out-gained the Broncos 263-60 in total yardage with only 39 rushing yards and 21 passing yards in the game for the Broncos.

• Fayetteville State responded with a 19-7 CIAA win at Lincoln (Pa.) (2-7, 1-6). The Lions had a 330-256 advantage in total yardage, but the Broncos took advantage of two lost fumbles and an interception to seal the win. Lane was 13-for-23 passing for 113 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

• The Broncos returned home the following week for a matchup with the current No. 4 seed in Super Region 2, the Virginia Union Panthers (9-1, 7-1). Fayetteville State had a 7-point fourth quarter lead, but were outscored 17-7 in the final frame of a 31-28 Panther win. Lane completed 21 of his 36 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw 3 interceptions. Avery McCall replaced Lane for the final FSU drive and was 4-for-5 passing for 23 yards and a touchdown.

• Lane stayed in the quarterback role for their following game, a 13-10 home win over Chowan (7-4, 7-1). Chowan lost despite a lopsided 413-181 advantage in total yardage. The Bronco defense allowed zero Chowan points in the Hawks' three redzone trips.

• The win over Chowan was the beginning of a 7-game winning streak for the Broncos. They defeated St. Augustine (1-8, 1-6) 54-0 for their homecoming game, won 44-7 at Livingstone (4-6, 3-5), won 21-13 at Johnson C. Smith (2-7, 2-6), beat Shaw (4-6, 4-4) 28-20 on FSU's Senior Day, and won 14-6 at Winston-Salem State (3-6, 3-4) before last week's rematch against Chowan in the CIAA Championship game.

• Chowan once again had the advantage in total yardage at 424-286, but the Broncos' Elton Andrew hit a field goal as time expired from 43 yards out to give the Broncos a 31-28 win and their fourth CIAA football title in program history. Demari Daniels, the fourth quarterback the Broncos have used this season, was 12-for-24 passing for 188 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception. The Broncos also rushed for 92 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.


AWARDS AND HONORS: Thursday afternoon saw a number of accolades and honors come to the Statesmen football team. Patrick Shegog was named the GSC Offensive Player of the Year and Todd Cooley was named GSC Coach of the Year. This is the 8th time a DSU player has received offensive player of the year honors, the first since 2011 (Micah Davis). Cooley's win his third and the sixth in DSU history. Delta State had 12 football players named to the All-GSC teams on Thursday afternoon. First team offense honors went to Dohnte Meyers, Patrick Shegog, Keshawn Jennings, and Nicolas Melsop. First team defense honors were earned by Malik Jones, Tamos Stevenson, and Timaje Porter. Nick Herber was named first team for special teams. Jaelon Brown and Damon Moore were named All-GSC second team for offense, Marlon Windham earned second team honors for defense, and Tyler Kennedy earned second team honors as a special teams return specialist.

GO GREEN: DSU fans are asked to wear green to all remaining home games this season. Get your official game day gear at www.StatesmenStore.com!

WHAT TO BRING: Only clear bags are permitted in McCool Stadium. Delta State logoed bags will be available for purchase between gates 4 and 5; pouches are $10 and totes are $15. No outside food/drink, no non-service animals, and no weapons are permitted.

TICKETS:  Season ticket holders must repurchase their tickets and parking spots for each home playoff game. Visit https://deltastatetickets.universitytickets.com/ to purchase in advance or visit the ticket booths next to gates 3 or 4 on the west side, or gate 14 on the east side on game day.

GETTING THERE: Kickoff is at 1 pm. Gates open one hour pregame. As of 5 pm Friday, all Stadium Lots (1-7) are designated parking and can only be accessed with the appropriate placard. A limited number of Lot 6 parking spots will be available beginning three hours before kick-off Saturday for $15, or $10 in advance at https://deltastatetickets.universitytickets.com/. Additional parking will be available at Shumate Park, Walter Sillers Coliseum, Kent Wyatt Hall, and across MS Highway 8 on campus. Delta State student parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the grass lot next to Lot 1 for vehicles with current Resident or Commuter parking decals. All game-day traffic should enter via Statesman Boulevard.

TAILGATING: Register for FREE tailgating in Statesmen Park at https://forms.office.com/r/N87YW2dzPW.

FOOD AND DRINK: Concessions will be available on both the west and east sides of McCool stadium.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: Kids can join the Statesmen Football team as they take the field at 10-minutes on the game clock. The Punkin' Patch KidsZone will open one hour before kickoff; admission is $10 but Future Statesmen Club members get into the KidsZone free so join today at www.StatesmenClub.com.

STAY IN THE KNOW: You can listen or watch along! Visit www.GoStatesmen.com > Sports > Football > Schedule and click the speaker (Magic 107.5) or screen and follow the prompts. Download the Statesmen Nation app where you can listen to or stream the event, see rosters and stats, receive notifications about promotions and partnerships, and much more!