CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Football team (2-1, 0-0 GSC) returns to Parker Field at McCool Stadium this Saturday (Sept. 21) for their final non-conference game with the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (1-1, 1-1 SIAC).
The Voice of the Statesmen, Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network and on the Flo Sports Network.
Delta State, the No. 24 team in the preseason AFCA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll, enter this week's contest with a 2-1 record after falling on the road to Wingate last Saturday (Sept. 14) 21-7.
Fort Valley State enters this weekend with a 1-1 overall record and a 1-1 record in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Last week, the Wildcats earned their first win of the season with a 42-0 routing against Kentucky State University.
The Coaches
Todd Cooley enters his 11th season as head coach at Delta State. He was hired as the program's 19th all-time head coach on January 25, 2013.
In his first campaign as head coach, Cooley guided the Statesmen to a 7-3 overall record and a second-place finish in the Gulf South Conference. Inheriting a team that went 3-7 the year before, the high-energy Cooley built a cohesive family atmosphere in less than nine months. That energy helped feed a program's turnaround in just one season. In 2014, Cooley led the Statesmen to a 9-2 record, along with DSU's seventh Gulf South Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, the school's first since 2011.
For his efforts, Cooley was named Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year by his peers in the league. In all, 11 Statesmen were named to the All-GSC squad, including GSC Freshman of the Year Tyler Sullivan, who quarterbacked DSU to a 4-1 mark as a starter.
DSU averaged 40.0 points per game offensively, while averaging 472.2 yards per game. The Statesmen pulled off three victories over nationally ranked opponents after defeating No. 21 North Alabama 37-34, No. 14 Tarleton State 38-36 and No. 24 Valdosta State 63-55.
In 2014, Cooley earned his second consecutive GSC Coach of the Year accolade, sharing the honor with Florida Tech's Steve Englehart. Twelve Statesmen were selected to the All-GSC squads, while Trey Shaw captured the league's Defensive Freshman of the Year honor. DSU put up an impressive 5,395 yards of total offense, outscoring opponents 491-215.
With expectations riding high entering the 2015 season, the Statesmen raced out of the gate to a 4-0 record and No. 5 national ranking. Unfortunately, the ride was short-lived, as injuries began to mount and derailed a title run for DSU. The Statesmen finished the year 6-5 overall and 2-5 in GSC play.
The Statesmen finished the year leading the GSC in passing (312.4), while ranking second in scoring (36.4) and third in total offense (426.7). In 2016, DSU finished its season ranked No. 3 in the GSC in scoring offense (36.9), total offense (446.8) and passing offense (287.7).
After an injury filled 2018 season that saw the Statesmen post a 2-8 mark, Cooley's Statesmen rebounded to finish 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the GSC in 2019. Overall, nine Statesmen earned All-GSC laurels and two were selected to the D2Football.com All-Americans. Additionally, 13 Statesmen made the GSC Academic honor roll for a GPA of 3.0 or higher while four were selected to the GSC All-Academic football team.
In the 2021 campaign, the Statesmen posted a 5-6 overall record, finishing the season strong winning three out of their last four games. Nine Statesmen earned All-GSC honors including the 2021 GSC Defensive Player of the Year in Marvin Terry. The Statesmen ranked third in the nation in time of possession, possessing the ball for an average of 34:15 per game. The Statesmen defense led the GSC as they forced 26 turnovers on the season. The Statesmen Special Teams made it tough for opposing kickers and punters as they were third in the nation with eight blocked field goals and four blocked punts.
The 2022 campaign saw the Statesmen winning their eighth Gulf South Conference Crown and their 10th Playoff appearance as they finished the season with an 11-2 overall record. Cooley earned Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year honors for the third time at the helm for the Statesmen. 12 Statesmen earned All-GSC honors including quarterback
Patrick Shegog, who earned the GSC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. The Statesmen offense ranked within the top 10 in the nation averaging 41.2 points per game, 230.1 yards per game on the ground, and 471.8 total yards per game. The Defense continued to give the Offense opportunities as they led the GSC forcing 27 turnovers in the 2022 GSC Championship season.
In the 2023 season Cooley led the Statesmen to back-to-back GSC Championships for his first time as the Head Coach at DSU, the first time the Statesmen won back-to-back GSC championships since 2010-11. Cooley was named the GSC Coach of the Year for the fourth time at the Helm for the Statesmen Football Program. 14 Statesmen earned All-GSC honors including Offensive Player of the Year
Patrick Shegog. Shegog was also the first Statesmen since Josh Bright in 2000 to win the C Spire Conerly Trophy. The Statesmen offense, averaging 42.9 points per game continued to be ranked amongst the top of the GSC averaging 451.3 total yards per game, and 224.2 rushing yards per game. The Statesmen Defense's four defensive touchdowns ended up leading the GSC along with being ranked in the top 10 in the nation.
Shawn Gibbs' second campaign of the Shawn Gibbs era in 'Th e Valley' begins with great optimism. The Fort Valley State head football coach aims to build upon the solid opening season at the Wildcats helm.
Gibbs and the Wildcats posted an 8-2 record last fall for the program's best season in over a decade. FVSU's first year under Gibbs included victories over SIAC West champ Tuskegee in the Red Tails Classic and Albany State in the Fountain City Classic along with his top players, Emanuel Wilson and Kelvin Durham, earning the SIAC Player, Offensive, Newcomer and Freshman of the Years awards between the two.
Wilson, currently a rookie with the Green Bay Packers, became Gibbs' latest 1,000-yard rusher with 1,370 yards on 209 carries (6.6 ypc) and 17 touchdowns in 10 games. Durham threw for 1,994 yards with 16 scoring strikes for his awards.
Coming to program in February of 2022, FVSU gave Gibbs the reins of his first program as a head coach. Gibbs has an extensive background in coaching that includes 19 seasons as both an assistant head coach and positions coach at the collegiate level.
His coaching experience includes stints at North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University, and Grambling State University.
Gibbs became the North Carolina A&T assistant head coach and running backs coach under legendary head coach Rod Broadway in 2011. His responsibilities included coordinating meetings, implementing game strategies, and recruiting players. During Gibbs' tenure at N.C. A&T, every season, except one, a running back rushed for over 1,000 yards.
Statesmen At Home
Delta State holds a 40-19 (.596) record in 59 games at Parker Field at McCool Stadium under Head Coach
Todd Cooley. Delta State currently holds a 1-0 record at home in 2024 as they defeated Missouri S&T 55-18 on Week 1. The Statesmen currently hold a six-game home winning streak against non-conference opponents dating back to 2018.
Fort Valley State holds a 25-25 (.500) record in their past 50 road games dating back to 2011. The Wildcats held a 3-1 road record in the 2023 campaign with their lone road loss coming to SIAC champion Benedict.
The Delta State-Fort Valley State Series
This will mark the sixth meeting between the Statesmen and the Wildcats. Delta State holds a 3-2 overall record against Fort Valley State dating all the way back to 1998. The last matchup between the Statesmen and Wildcats happened on September 3, 2015, when Delta State defeated Fort Valley State 48-7 at McCool Stadium. The Statesmen currently have a two-game winning streak against Fort Valley State.
Statesmen vs. the SIAC
Delta State has compiled a 8-3 (.727) record against a school from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (The SIAC)
The Statesmen's last meeting with a SIAC opponent came on Sept. 3, 2022, when the Statesmen went north to Frankfort, Ky., and defeated the Thorobreds of Kentucky State 33-10.
The History of Both Programs
The Statesmen, who are embarking upon their 94th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 501-412-23 overall record, winning 54.8 percent of their 934 all-time games.
Delta State is one of just 38 NCAA Division II institutions to have recorded 500 all-time victories. The Statesmen have the second most program victories out of any Gulf-South Schools
Fort Valley State has a 445-301 (.594) record in 78 seasons of intercollegiate play.
Scouting The Statesmen
On the offensive side of the ball, junior quarterback
Cole Kirk has been leading the Statesmen with 869 total yards and nine touchdowns. Senior wide receiver
Jaylen Green has been on the positive end of explosive plays in the two Statesmen victories. Green leads all receivers in the Statesmen wide receiver room with 11 catches for 262 yards and three touchdowns on the year. The Statesmen offense is currently 18th in the country, averaging 459 total yards per game.
The Statesmen on the defensive side of the ball, sophomore defensive back
Tye Holsey, and senior linebacker
JJ Hudson both lead the Statesmen defense with 19 total tackles on the season. Senior defensive back
Marlon Windham has a team high 14 solo tackles this season at the Dog position. The Statesmen have a trio of defensive linemen who are amongst the top of the leader board in sacks in the Gulf South Conference.
Chris Bonner is second in the GSC with three sacks so far this season. Senior
Mario Martin is currently fourth in the GSC with 3.5 TFLs for 22 yards.
Joseph Barton has been the key to getting pressure on opposing team quarterbacks with a team high three qb hurries. Junior cornerback Jarius McFarland has the team's two turnovers in the first three games.
Senior kicker
Nick Herber has been putting three points on the board for the Statesmen. Herber is currently 3-4 with all field goals from 30-39 yards.
Parker Burleson has been exchanging the Punting and Kickoff duties for the Statesmen. Burleson has pinned opponents inside the 20 three times and has 12 touchbacks on kickoffs. Sophomore running back
Tamaj Hoffman has had seven returns for 131 as the kick returner for the Statesmen.
Scouting the Wildcats
The Wildcats offense ran well once it started up last Saturday. Off five-straight touchdown drives in a row, Fort Valley State quarterback Kelvin Durham guided the offense and earned the HBCU National Player of the Week and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Offensive Player of the Week honors. Over the opening two Wildcat games, Durham has 493 yards passing on 36 of 52 attempts at a 69.2% completion percent with seven touchdowns to two interceptions. He averages 246.5 yards passing per contest and holds a 185.6 passing efficiency rating. Durham has also rushed eight times for 26 yards for another score and sits at 519 yards of total offense.
Against Kentucky State last weekend, The Wildcat offense did its part as well with 498 yards of total offense on 56 plays without a turnover. Quarterback Kelvin Durham registered 302 yards of total offense. The redshirt junior completed 17 of 20 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns and ran five times for 19 yards. Brandon Marshall rushed 12 times for 85 yards and pulled in five passes for 72 yards, including a 41-yard scoring strike. Jamal Sanders had a solid rushing day with 60 yards on six totes with his first collegiate touchdown covering 40 yards. DeJuan Bell grabbed four passes for 126 yards with touchdowns of 10 and 74 yards. Jamie Hampton had three catches for 42 yards and Za'Tarious Anderson had a 10-yard touchdown.
The FVSU defense held Kentucky State to -10 yards rushing on 21 attempts, 137 yards passing and a total of 127 yards on 47 offensive plays. The home defense also forced three turnovers with the blocked punt, forced a fumble and an interception, which was made in its end zone to end a Thorobred drive and keep them off the scoreboard, sacked the quarterback six times and had eight tackles for loss.
The FVSU defense had a balanced effort with freshman Tre'vyon Webb leading with six tackles and eight Wildcats had two or more stops. Malik Harp registered five tackles, while David Moncrief (with one for a loss, DeMarcus Harris and Kel Ikechukwu all had four.
Cedric Hillsman made the most of his three tackles with a strip sack for a forced fumble, which Jannoris Robertson recovered, who also had 1.5 sacks of his own. Darnell Stephens picked off the pass in the home endzone, while Terrance Irons, Marquis Hood, Lorenzo Harvey and Alphonzo Harris recorded a sack each.
