CLEVELAND, Miss. - #5 Delta State is back at Parker-McCool this Saturday for a critical home swing against the #18 West Florida Argonauts. The two teams met twice a season ago, splitting the series as well as a share of the GSC Football Championship. This Saturday's game is also a part of DSU's Military Appreciation Weekend, and all fans are encouraged to wear white. Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network. All remaining Statesmen Football games will be broadcast exclusively through FloFootball.

The Statesmen continued their hot start to the year last week with a 49-27 win over North Greenville. DSU quarterback Patrick Shegog rushed for three touchdowns and threw a fourth in the win over the Crusaders while defensive back Malik Jones recorded his fourth straight game with an interception.

Kickoff between the Delta State Statesmen and the West Florida Argonauts is scheduled for Saturday, October 21 at 3:00 pm.



SERIES NOTEBOOK: WEST FLORIDA
• This is the 8th meeting all-time between Delta State and West Florida since 2016. The Statesmen trail the series 3-4 after last season's meeting in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs ended in a 38-27 win for the Argos. Delta State won the first matchup of the 2022 season in Pensacola 45-42 in two overtimes. Delta State is 2-1 against the Argos in Pensacola, but just 1-3 when the series is in Cleveland.

• The Argos started of their season with a pair of matching 35-3 wins over DII opponents Kentucky Wesleyan at home and McKendree on the road. UWF quarterback Peewee Jarrett threw for 230 and 329 yards respectively in the two games with GSC offensive player of the week honors in week two. Defensive lineman John McMullen was named defensive POTW with four tackles, three of which were sacks.

• West Florida traveled to Tallahassee week three for a meeting with FCS Florida A&M. The Rattlers held UWF to just 213 yards of offense (134 pass, 79 rush) while accumulating 469 yards of their own.

• GSC play began in week four as West Georgia traveled to Pensacola. The Argos blew out the Wolves 49-21 as Jarrett threw for 298 yards, mainly to that week's GSC offensive POTW John Jiles. Jiles caught 8 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Ralph Ortiz was also named Freshman of the week with 3 tackles and an interception.

• The Argos traveled to North Greenville the following week, picking up 21 fourth quarter points in their 48-24 win over the Crusaders. Jarrett threw for 419 yards and 5 touchdowns. West Florida received three Player of the Week honors in the win over NGU including offensive POTW WR John Jiles (11 rec, 277 yd, 3 TDs), defensive POTW DB Quincy Milhomme (5 tack, 2 INTs, 1 PBR), and freshamn POTW LB Ralph Ortiz (3 tack, 1 INT).

• West Florida held their homecoming night in week six against Shorter and rewarded the home crowd with a 42-3 win over the Hawks. Jarrett passed for 257 yards and 3 TDs with 1 INT. Ortiz again won freshman of the week with three tackles and an INT at linebacker.

• Last Saturday's game at West Alabama sets up what will be a huge game for the Statesmen at Parker-McCool. The Argos were kept out of the endzone for the first time since November 12, 2016 as West Alabama's defense held strong in the Tigers' 10-6 upset victory. West Florida slightly out-gained UWA 214-210 in total offense as Jarrett threw for 158 yards and an INT. The loss put Delta State in sole possesion of first place in the GSC and tied up UWF, Valdosta State, and West Georgia in a three-way split of second place.


CHART TOPPERS: Saturday's game will feature some of the GSC's best in terms of statistical prowess. The marquee matchup will likely be the matchup of the conference's number one scoring offense and defense with Delta State averaging 46.6 points per game while UWF has only allowed 13.6 points per game. Delta State's defense is ranked second in scoring, allowing just 19.1 pts per game while UWF's offense averages 32.1 points per game, good for third in the GSC.

FLIP THE FIELD: Delta State's special teams also rank highly in the GSC for their ability to swing momentum. DSU is tied for first in the GSC with an average net of 42.8 yards per kickoff attempt and lead the GSC with 16 touchbacks. DSU's kickoff return team averages a GSC-best 28.1 yards per return and has also recorded the only KO return touchdown in the conference. The Statesmen punt team has also been electric through seven weeks is averaging 0.0 yards per punt return.

WHITE OUT: DSU fans are asked to wear white for this week's Military Appreciation game! 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, pets, or 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 3 pm. Gates open two hours pregame. A limited number of Lot 6 parking spots will be available beginning two-and-a-half hours before kick-off Saturday for $15. 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) in the game information 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!