CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Delta State University football team heads to the Tar Heel State for the second time this season as they will travel to Wilson, N.C., to take on the Bulldogs from Barton College

The Statesmen moved up in the AFCA Poll to no. 20 after defeating the Flying Fleet 52-0 last Saturday evening at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.

The Bulldogs enter this weekend after a bye week with a 0-4 record and are 0-1 in Conference Carolina Play.

The Voice of the Statesmen Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network with the pregame show at 12:00 p.m. (CDT).

The Coaches
Todd Cooley enters his 13th season as head coach at Delta State, where he holds a 78-47 overall record at the helm in Cleveland. 

He was hired as the program's 20th all-time head coach on January 25, 2013. Thursday's action will mark Cooley and Delta State's first ever match-up against Central Missouri.  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 would be 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.

Cooley's Statesmen wrapped up the 2021 season, demonstrating remarkable skill and determination on the field. The Statesmen's passing game was a key component of their offensive strategy. The team completed 164 out of 331 passing attempts, resulting in a total of 2,476 passing yards for the season. With an average of 7.48 yards per attempt and 225.09 yards per game, the passing attack was both efficient and effective. The team also recorded 22 passing touchdowns, showcasing their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities through the air.

Delta State University director of athletics Mike Kinnison announced a four-year contract for head coach Todd Cooley on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2021. The new deal has Cooley signed through the 2024 season.

The Delta State University football team finished the 2022 season with an 11-2 overall record and a 6-1 mark in Gulf South Conference play. Delta State's offense was led by quarterback Patrick Shegogg, who threw for 2,970 yards and 22 touchdowns.

The Statesmen also had a strong rushing attack for 1,825 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The Statesmen's defense was one of the best in the GSC, allowing just 23.08 points per game. Marlon Windham led the team with 5.2 tackles per game. The successful season secured them a ticket to the playoffs where they faced off against Fayetteville State in the first round.

The Statesmen finished the 2023 season with a 10-2 record, including a 7-1 record in conference play. The team had a strong defense, which allowed an average of 18.3 points per game.
Delta State secured its second GSC title in as many years with a 41-3 win over Mississippi College. The Statesmen earned the number two seed in Super Region Two for the NCAA Playoffs but will be continuing GSC play out of the gate having drawn West Florida in the first round.  Delta State football leads the GSC with 14 All-GSC team members for 2023.Eight Statesmen football team members were named on the first team list and six were named second team members.
 Delta State advanced to the second round of the NCAA Football Playoffs and avenged their only regular season win of the year with a one-sided win over West Florida. 

Chip Hester began duties as Barton's first head football coach since 1950 in July of 2018, charged with building a program from scratch to begin play in the fall of 2020.

Hester is 19-30 after five years at the helm and has coached Jordan Terrell, the Bulldogs' first-ever NCAA Division II All-American, and NFL free agent signee Kameron Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

Hester brought to the job more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and NCAA Division II levels, including 11 as a head coach.

The Raleigh native joined the Barton staff after coaching the previous four seasons at North Carolina A&T State University, including the last three as offensive coordinator. The Aggies averaged better than 30 points per game in all three of his seasons guiding the offense and racked up more than 400 yards per contest in each of the last two years.

The 2017 team ranked 10th nationally among FCS schools in points (35.1 per game) and 24th in total offense (426.8 per game) on its way to a perfect 12-0 record and Celebration Bowl victory over Grambling State University.

During Hester's tenure as offensive coordinator, the Aggies posted a 31-5 record, won two Celebration Bowls and made one FCS Playoff appearance. North Carolina A&T finished both the 2016 and 2017 seasons nationally ranked.

Before joining the staff at North Carolina A&T, Hester spent 18 years coaching at Catawba College. He served as head coach for 11 of those seasons, compiling an overall record of 70-49 (.588). He led the Indians to a first- or second-place finish in the South Atlantic Conference four times and directed Catawba to three NCAA Division II playoff appearances.

Hester's 2007 team, which went 11-2, still holds Catawba season records for total points (578), points per game (44.5) and total offense (478 yards per game).

He earned a bachelor's degree in management with a minor in sport management from Guilford College and obtained a master's degree in sport management from Georgia Southern University.

Hester is married to Trish, and has two daughters, Morgan and Tori.
 
STATESMEN vs The Tar Heel State
Delta State has compiled a 10-3 (.769) overall record vs. all opponents from the State of North Carolina dating back to 1926. This weekend will be the first time the Statesmen will travel to Barton College

This will be the Statesmen's second opponent from the State of North Carolina this season as their lone loss came in Pembroke on September 13 against the Braves of UNC Pembroke 25-21. Last season, the Statesmen went 2-1 with wins against Chowan and Mars Hill.

The STATESMEN - On the Road
Historically, Delta State is 198-250-7 (.436) on the road dating back to 1926 when the University started the football program. That record doesn't define how the Statesmen have performed while on the road in recent years. With Coach Cooley at helm, the Statesmen are 32-25 (.571) away from McCool Stadium. This season, Delta State holds a 1-1 record on the road with a recent win against Fort Valley State 21-16.

Barton is currently 11-14 (.440) in Electric Supply Company Field at Truist Stadium dating back to their program being reinstated in 2020. This weekend will mark their second home contest of the season as they fell to Virginia State 35-7 in their season opener

Statesmen vs. Bulldogs
This weekend will mark the first time these two programs will meet in each other's histories.

This will also mark the fourth program in the Conference Carolinas that Delta State has faced as they are currently 2-1 against all teams in the conference.

The History of Both Programs
The Statesmen, who are embarking upon their 95th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 510-416-23 overall record, winning 54.8 percent of their 948 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

Barton has a 19-29 (.396) record in 5 seasons of intercollegiate play. The Bulldogs reinstated their program in 2020 after discontinuing the program in 1951.

Scouting the Statesmen
The Statesmen (4-1, 0-0 GSC) are on the road again headed to the Carolinas after a 52-0 win at Parker Field-McCool Stadium against the Flying Fleet from Erskine last Saturday.

Last weekend, Delta State seized control From the opening kick against Erskine. The Statesmen scored on their first drive and never looked back, piling up 14 points in the first quarter and exploding for 21 more in the second. By halftime, the score had DSU up 35-0. Even with substitutions in the second half, the Statesmen continued to roll, adding 17 more points to finish with their largest margin of victory this season.
 
The offense was balanced and relentless, amassing 558 total yards on 82 plays. The ground game led the charge, tallying 290 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Running back Nick Clark paced the attack with 79 yards and three scores, powering through Erskine defenders with authority. Qualon Farrar added 88 yards and a touchdown, while Marlon Palmer chipped in 65 yards and showcased his versatility by catching a touchdown pass.
 
Quarterback play was efficient and precise, as Delta State quarterbacks combined for 268 yards through the air, spreading the ball among 10 targets. Palmer and Troy Griffin provided the highlights, with Griffin breaking free for a 47-yard touchdown reception.
 
As dominant as the offense was, the defense was equally impressive. The Statesmen smothered Erskine's attack, limiting the Flying Fleet to just 206 total yards and eight first downs. DSU tallied two interceptions, from William Carter and Jack Sewell, capitalized on short fields, and never allowed Erskine to find rhythm. The defensive line lived in the backfield, while the secondary closed down every window, preserving the shutout with intensity until the final whistle.
 
Special teams also contributed. Kicker Dean Roberts connected on a 34-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, and the coverage units bottled up Erskine's return game, eliminating any chance of momentum swings.
 
 
 
Scouting the Bulldogs
Barton (0-4, 0-0 CC) are coming off their bye week after a tough four game stretch to start their season.

Last time out, the Bulldogs fell on the road against GSC foe West Alabama 52-14 in Livingston, Ala.

Against the Tigers, Barton battled early and forced a 14-all tie early in the second quarter but West Alabama took control from there and reeled off 38 straight points to remain unbeaten on the season.

Barton sophomore running back Jackson Parrish (Graham, N.C.) rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown while junior wideout Luke Smith (Reidsville, N.C.) caught a four-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Al Lee (Reidsville, N.C.) in the losing effort.

 On the season, Barton's ground game is led by Parrish who has 68 rushing attempts for 238 yards and 4 TDs. Parrish's 238 yards marks more than half of Barton's 404 total rushing yards on the season.

The Bulldogs' air attack averages 151.5 yards per game behind the arms of Trevor Nored and Al Lee. Nored has completed 37 of 58 passes for 390 yards and two TDs to three interceptions. Lee has completed 21 of his 46 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions.

 On the defensive side of the ball, Barton is led by junior linebacker Keno Jones. The Rocky Mount, N.C. native has a total 60 tackles (23 solo, 37 assisted) in four games played this season. As a team, the Bulldogs have given up 481.8 total yards per game and give up an average of 39 points per game.