CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State returns home after a 2-0 start on the road to begin the 2023 season. The Statesmen open the home schedule this Saturday, September 16 with a visit from FCS rival Mississippi Valley State. Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network. All remaining Statesmen Football games will be broadcast exclusively through FloFootball.

Delta State began GSC play last Saturday with a 42-18 win at Chowan. The Statesmen kept the Hawks off the scoreboard in the second half, scoring 28 unanswered points in the third quarter. Quarterback Patrick Shegog completed 20 passes for 300 yards with four passing touchdowns and one on the ground. The Delta State defense got on the board as well with a fumble recovery in the Chowan endzone.

Kickoff between the Delta State Statesmen and the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils is scheduled for Saturday, September 16 at 6:00 pm.



SERIES NOTEBOOK: MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE
• This is the seventh meeting between Delta State and MVSU. Delta State owns a 5-1 record in the series and has won the last three meetings. Last season saw the Statesmen pick up a 28-17 win in what was the first game between the two schools since 2013. It will also be the third time that the Delta Devils have traveled to Cleveland.

• The Delta Devils opened their season at the 25th annual Chicago Football Classic at historic Soldier Field in week one. A late field goal resulted in a 24-21 win for the Central State Marauders of Wilberforce, Ohio.

• The Delta Devils averaged 14.5 points per game last season with 127.1 passing and 143.3 rushing yards per game. According to Delta State Head Coach Todd Cooley, the offense seems to have improved on film under first-year coach Kendrick Wade.



HOME SWEET HOME: Delta State returns to Parker-McCool for their 2023 home-opener. The Statesmen have won 9 straight road games beginning a season ago with two more wins to start the 2023 campaign at Missouri S&T and Chowan. They also look to extend their streak of wins in home-openers to four, stretching back to the 2019 season.

DELTA FORCE: Statesmen Special Teams have been productive through the first two games of the season. All kickoff returns have been kept inside the opposing 30-yard line while also keeping punt returns to an average under 3 yards per game. The DSU punt return team has averaged 14.4 yards per return and has blocked an attempt as well.

GO GREEN: DSU fans are asked to wear green for this season's home-opener. 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 6 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!