CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Statesmen travel to Valdosta, GA this Saturday for a Top-25 matchup against the Valdosta State Blazers. Saturday will be the continuation of one of Delta State's longest and most intense gridiron series. Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network. All remaining Statesmen Football games will be broadcast exclusively through FloFootball.

Delta State continued their hot start to the 2023 season last week with a 47-17 road win at West Alabama. The Statesmen scored 37 in the first half against a Tiger team that had previously only allowed 38 points against Angelo State as a game-high for the season.

Kickoff between the Delta State Statesmen and the Valdosta State Blazers is scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at 1:00 pm CT.



SERIES NOTEBOOK: VALDOSTA STATE
• This is the 42nd meeting all-time between Delta State and West Alabama since the rivalry beginning in 1982. Delta State owns a slim 21-19-1 record in the series. Delta State's 70-31 win at Pig Pickin' last season snapped a six-game winning-streak by the Blazers. The teams are fairly even in the home and away records as well with Delta State owning a 10-10-1 record against the Blazers in Cleveland and an 11-9 record at Valdosta. The undefeated Blazers are currently ranked #19 in the country by AFCA and #25 by D2Football.com.

• The Blazers opened up their season at home with a 63-10 win over Point. Quarterback Sammy Edwards completed 21 of his 31 pass attempts for 347 yards and 4 TDs with 2 INTs while also leading the team in rushing with 73 yards and a score.

• VSU held on late for a 21-16 win at Albany State in week two. Edwards only passed for 79 yards with an INT, but his main support came from rushers Eric Watts (123 yds & 1 TD) and Isaiah Flowers (95 yds & 2 TDs).

• Valdosta State returned home for a 49-25 win over Keiser in week three. Edwards had a stellar day with 28 completed passes for 479 yards and 4 TDs. Rusher Bud Chaney only ran for 36 yards, but found the endzone twice.

• VSU opened GSC play in week four with a 28-3 win at North Greenville. Edwards was 18-for-28 with 293 yards and a touchdown. Chaney again only rushed for 26 yards, but scored three times.

• The Blazers held just a two point lead in the third at Chowan last week, but added scores late and held on for a 51-36 win. Edwards completed 20 of his 29 passes for 393 yards and 6 TDs with 1 INT. Council Allen reeled in two of those touchdown passes along with two more for a 118 yard day.


ALL THREE PHASES: All three phases of Delta State's team found their way to the scoreboard last Saturday. In addition to the offense's contribution, linebacker Marlon Windham returned an interception 33 yards for a DSU score and later laid a big hit on a UWA rusher in the endzone for a safety. Return man Robbie Evans also took the ensuing free kick back 77 yards for a special teams touchdown. Punter/Kicker Parker Burleson also had a brilliant day as all six punts were downed inside the UWA 20-yard line, including one at the 4-yard line and another inside the 1-yard line.

TICKETS:  Ticket windows will open at 12:15pm. The ticket window for the north stands (visitors) will be the northwest ticket window. All tickets on the north side of the stadium are general admission ($12 for adults/$8 for youth and seniors).

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!