CLEVELAND, Miss. -- 2023 Pig Pickin' was a success for the Statesmen football team who racked up 572 yards of offense in their 56-20 win over Shorter. The defense also came up big with stops at critical times and an interception in the third quarter.

THE BASICS
Score: #8 Delta State 56 | Shorter 20
Records: Statesmen (4-0, 2-0 GSC) | Hawks (2-2, 1-1 GSC)
Date: Saturday, Sep. 23, 2023
Location: Parker Field at McCool Stadium | Cleveland, MS
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Delta State's Alfonso Franklin took the opening kickoff 74 yards to the Shorter 19-yard line. Delta State scored on the next play as Patrick Shegog found Jalen Green in the endzone. 7-0 Delta State.
• Both teams traded punts. Shorter found the endzone on their second drive off a 6-yard rush from quarterback Joshua Brown. Tied 7-7.
• The Statesmen answered nine plays later with a a 40-yard scoring rush from Franklin. 14-7 Delta State.
• DSU scored on the third play of the second quarter on another 40-yard touchdown, this time a pass from Shegog to Todd Lee Battle. 21-7 Delta State.
• Shorter's missed field goal on the following drive gave DSU the ball at their own 34-yard line. The Statesmen scored five plays later on a 60-yard scamper by Shegog. 28-7 Delta State.
• Shorter's Justus Durant scored with two minutes left in the half from 7 yards out to cut into the DSU lead. 28-13 Delta State.
• Delta State found the endzone one last time before the end of the half as Shegog connected with tight end Tycen Gray in the north endzone. 35-13 Delta State.
• Shorter scored on the ground on their opening drive in the second half from 14 yards out off the feet of Brown. 35-20 Delta State.
• Franklin again had a big kickoff return, this time of 55 yards to the Shorter 41-yard line. Shegog connected with Calvin Lockett three plays later from 41 yards out to extend the DSU lead. 42-20 Delta State.
• Shorter punted on their next drive. Shegog turned a 4th down situation into a 36-yard rushing score on the following DSU drive. 49-20 Delta State.
• Malik Jones intercepted a pass on the next Hawk drive, and DSU scored on the next play as Shegog hit Jaylen May for a 59-yard score. 56-20 Delta State.

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES:

• Patrick Shegog completed 15 of his 19 pass attempts for 218 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also rushed 10 times for 138 yards and two scores.
• Alfonso Franklin carried the ball 5 times for 84 yards and a score.
• Jaylen May led DSU in receptions with 4 catches for 74 yards and a score.
• Jaylen Green reeled in three passes for 23 yards and a touchdown.

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES:

• Wydett Williams Jr. led DSU with 11 total tackles (6 solo) with a pass break-up.
• Jarvis Townsend recorded 10 tackles and a pass break-up.
• Malik Jones caught an interception and made 2 tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTABLES:

• Alfonso Franklin returned three kickoffs for 146 yards (49 yards per return).
• Parker Burleson punted four times for 148 yards.

OTHER NOTABLES:

• Statesmen out-gain Shorter 572-377 in total yardage
• DSU picks up 21 first downs

UP NEXT:

Delta State is on the road for the next two games, starting with next week's trip to West Alabama. Kickoff from Livingston, AL on Saturday, September 30 is scheduled for 4:00 PM.