CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State is back at Parker-McCool this Saturday for the final regular season home game of 2023, as well as this season's homecoming and Senior Day game. Delta State will honor the senior cheer and band squad members as well as twenty-plus Statesmen for their years of dedication to the football program while attempting to keep the Heritage Bell Classic trophy in Cleveland as Mississippi College comes to town. Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network. All remaining regular season Statesmen Football games will be broadcast exclusively through FloFootball.

The Statesmen picked up a huge road win last Saturday at West Georgia, the first win in Carrollton since 2009. The Statesmen defense forced three turnovers and allowed just one offensive touchdown in Delta State's 47-13 win over the Wolves. The DSU offense racked up 411 yards of offense, 248 passing and 163 rushing, while holding a strong UWG attack to just 283 yards of offense. Delta State was ranked second in the NCAA's Super Region Two Poll after the win as well.

Kickoff between the Delta State Statesmen and the Mississippi College Choctaws is scheduled for Saturday, November 11 at 2:00 pm.



SERIES NOTEBOOK: MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
• This is the 44th meeting all-time between Delta State and Mississippi College since 1930. The Statesmen have won nine of the last ten meetings in the series, dating back to 1994 after a nine-year break in the rivalry from 1995 to 2014. Delta State out-scored the Choctaws 14-0 in the fourth quarter last season to clinch a 52-38 win in Clinton, but it took a field goal attempt after an MC fumble in overtime for the Statesmen to win the 2021 meeting in Cleveland. The two teams have competed for the Heritage Bell Classic trophy since 1979, a traveling trophy awarded to the game's winner with a bell at the top, statuettes of a Statesmen and a Choctaw, and game scores from 1935 to 1995 etched into the center.

• The Choctaws enter Saturday's game with a 3-6 overall record and a 2-5 mark in GSC play. The Choctaws average 19.8 points per game while allowing 24.9 points. Their offense averages 308.6 yards per game compared to DSU's conference-leading 456.3 yards per game. The Choctaws are second only to DSU in average rushing yards per game at 216.8 compared to the Statesmen at 224.8. Delta State averages 231.6 passing yards per game to MC's 91.8, but their passing defense ranks third in the GSC at just 185.9 yards per game.

• MC started their season with a 17-14 win over NAIA Keiser. The Choctaws out-gained Keiser 217-189 with 199 rushing yards. MC lost three fumbles in the game, but hit a late field goal to take the lead in the fourth quarter.

• The Choctaws dropped a 30-17 game at Midwestern State in week two and opened GSC play at home in week three against West Georgia. MC led 35-24 with 10 minutes left, but UWG scored 14 unanswered after that to take the 38-35 win. UWG out-gained the Choctaws 456-322 with 291 rushing yards accumulated for Mississippi College.

• MC was on the road the following week at West Alabama and held a 7-3 lead at halftime before a fourth quarter touchdown gave the Tigers a 10-7 win. The Choctaws stayed on the road the following week and had a big first half in their 30-14 win over Shorter. MC out-gained Shorter 429-396 with 225 rushing yards with 5 TDs and 204 passing yards with 2 TDs on 19 completions by quarterback Cameron Davis.

• The Choctaws were back in Clinton for the next two weeks with Valdosta State taking a 21-10 win before MC picked up another conference win over Chowan. MC out-gained the Hawks 351-244 with 261 rushing yards, led by RJ Wilson with 148 yards and 2 touchdowns.

• North Greenville hosted MC on 10/28 for a 34-10 Crusader win before the Choctaws returned home last week to host West Florida. The Argos out-gained MC 568-233 in their 42-14 win. MC averaged 5.2 yards per rush (176 total rushing yards) but lost two fumbles in the loss.


RUSHING ATTACK: The GSC's two best running games will be at Parker-McCool this Saturday. DSU leads the conference with an average of 224.8 yards per game, but MC's new shotgun running scheme provides 216.8 yards per game. Delta State's rushing defense has the edge statistically, allowing just 133.6 yards per game with MC at the bottom of the conference at 204.9 yards per game.

WEAR GREEN: DSU fans are asked to wear GREEN for this week's homecoming and senior day 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!