CLEVELAND, Miss. - Statesmen football (9-1 overall, 6-1 GSC) experienced their first blemish on their record this season last Saturday, but can still proudly hoist the GSC conference championship after finishing the conference schedule with a 6-1 record. The title is the first in football program history since 2014. However, there won't be any time for the Statesmen to relax with long-time rival West Alabama (5-5, 3-4) coming to Cleveland for the regular season finale and Senior Day. Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network. Delta State will also broadcast home football games on FloSports (https://www.flofootball.com/live/42489).

Delta State's 52-42 loss to #16 West Georgia (7-2, 5-2) last Saturday kept the Wolves playoff hopes alive, but they are still currently on the outside of the playoff picture. The latest Super Region 2 poll features the GSC's Delta State in the 2-seed and West Florida as the 3-seed, with West Georgia currently outside the playoffs at No. 10. The playoff picture will be decided this Sunday with the playoff selection show on Sunday, Nov. 13. West Florida will travel to Mississippi College for a 2 pm kickoff and West Georgia heads to North Greenville for a 12:30 pm start for their final games of the regular season.

Delta State fans attending this Saturday's game against West Alabama are highly encouraged to wear green and to purchase their tickets before the day of the game online. 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.


SERIES NOTEBOOK: WEST ALABAMA
• This is the 69th meeting all-time between the Statesmen and the Tigers. The teams have played every year since 1968 (except 2020 due to Covid-19), but they also played thirteen times prior, with the first meeting coming in 1940 (0-0 Tie). The Statesmen own the series record at 37-28-3 and have won the last three meetings, but the 2019 DSU win snapped what was a five-game winning streak for the Tigers. Delta State owns a 23-12-1 home record against UWA, including a 20-7 victory when the teams met earlier this season.

• The Tigers opened their season with a two-game winning streak with a 24-16 win at Morehouse College and a 31-0 win at Miles College. UWA quarterback Tucker Melton passed for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win against Miles.

• West Alabama then played three-straight home games, beginning with a 13-10 nonconference loss to Tuskegee University. Tuskegee held the Tigers to just 230 yards of total offense while owning the time of possession at 41:39 compared to just 18:21 for UWA. Tucker was 18-for-44 passing for 207 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

• GSC play began the following week for the Tigers when they hosted then-8th-ranked West Georgia. The West Georgia Wolves only allowed one touchdown in their 22-7 win, outgaining the Tigers 361-259 in total yardage. Tucker was 14-for-28 passing for 136 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Running back Bry Webb led the Tigers in rushing with 74 yards on ten carries.

• The Tigers followed that up with two straight GSC wins against Shorter and Valdosta State before their first trip to Delta State on October 15. That was the beginning of a three-game losing streak for the Tigers that also included North Greenville and West Florida.

• West Alabama finished GSC play last week against Mississippi College in a 38-16 win for the Tigers. The two teams finished with 57 passing yards each, but the Tigers out-rushed the Choctaws 303-226 and recovered three MC fumbles. Bry Webb led the rushing attack for the Tigers with 114 yards on 18 carries, but he never found the endzone. Melton Tucker scored twice and rushed for 60 yards, and Antonio Brown and Demetrius Tucker scored once each with 74 and 56 yards respectively.

WHERE CHAMPIONS PLAY: This season's Gulf South Conference championship in football is the 69th overall conference title in school history. It is also the 8th GSC championship in football program history. Click here more information on Delta State's championship history.

SUPER REGION POLLS: Delta State holds the No. 2 spot in the D2 super region polls released on Monday with one game left in the regular season. The top 7 teams in each region will make the playoffs while the first-seeded team earns a first-round bye and guaranteed home-field advantage until the semifinals. The selection show for the final poll is scheduled for Sunday, November 13 at 4:30 CT at NCAA.com.

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:  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 2 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. Beer and wine will be available at kiosks on the west, north, and east concourses.

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 (FloSports) 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!