Box Score CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Statesmen (5-2, 2-1 GSC) defeated the No. 10 West Alabama Tigers (5-1, 3-1 GSC) at Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Saturday, handing the Tigers their first loss of the season.
 
Delta State scored on its second possession of the game, using eight plays to go 46 yards, when Cole Kirk rushed one yard for the score, giving the Statesmen the early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
 
West Alabama responded with a rushing score at the 1:40 mark to close out the first quarter, but a blocked PAT by Ahmir Taylor notched the score at 7-6 in favor of DSU.
 
Two passing touchdowns bookended the second quarter for Delta State. In the first drive of the second quarter, Kirk's 45-yard pass found Jalen May for his first touchdown of the season, putting the Green-and-White up 14-6 at the 11:48 mark. In their last drive of the second quarter, Delta State used a 35-yard pass from Kirk to Jaylen Green to extend its lead to 21-6 to end the first half of play.
 
Stellar defensive efforts by both teams kept the score 21-6 until the end of the game, as both teams were scoreless in the last 30 minutes of the game.
 
Linebacker William Carter led the defense with nine tackles, followed by Carl Hopkins, Tye Holsey, and William Jenkins with six tackles each. Kirk played a part in all three scores for the Statesmen, finishing the night 19-for-37 with 264 yards and three touchdowns, two passing and one rushing. KJ Smith led the rushing attack with 56 yards on 15 attempts, while Green led all receivers with 5 catches for 83 yards.
 
Conference play continues, as Delta State travels to North Greenville on Saturday, Oct. 26 to face North Greenville. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m.