CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Football Team (2-1, 0-0 GSC) will be on the road this weekend as they travel to Fort Valley, Ga., to take on the Wildcats from Fort Valley State University.
 
Saturday's kickoff will be 2 p.m. Central Time and 3 p.m. local time from Wildcat Stadium in Fort Valley. The Statesmen fell on the road last weekend in Pembroke to the Braves of UNC Pembroke 25-21.
The Wildcats from FVSU are off to a 0-2 start after dropping two close contests against West Alabama 27-17 and Clark Atlanta 26-21.
 
Follow the action on the Statesmen Sports Network as Michael Gross will have the call with the pregame show starting at 1:00 p.m. (CDT)
The Coaches
Todd Cooley enters his 13th season as head coach at Delta State, where he holds a 77-47 overall record at the helm in Cleveland. With last weekend's win against the Trailblazers,
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. The Statesmen led 35-0 at the half with 385 yards of offense in two quarters. The Statesmen will be looking to build on their success in 2024. The team has a strong core of returning players and a talented group of newcomers.
Marlon Watson enters year one at Fort Valley State after being the special teams coordinator and the defensive ends coach at Prairie View A&M for two seasons.
During his tenure, he played an instrumental role in PVAMU's 2023 SWAC Western Division Championship and led improvements in multiple statistical categories, including PATs, field goals and net punting. He also helped mentor top athletes, including All-SWAC honorees and future professional players.
Before joining PVAMU, Watson served as the defensive coordinator at Upper Iowa University in 2021, where he coached a first-team All-NSIC defensive lineman and helped the team achieve national rankings in key defensive categories. He also spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Elizabeth City State University, where he significantly improved the team's overall defensive performance despite challenges such as no spring ball and school closures due to hurricanes. His coaching experience also includes stints at Alabama A&M University, where he developed standout players such as All-SWAC linebacker Kenny Davis and played a key role in recruiting some of the program's most dominant athletes, including record-setting quarterback Aqeel Glass and running back Jordan Bentley.
Additionally, Watson has coached at Georgia Military College and Bethel University in Tennessee, where he helped lead the team to back-to-back Mid-South Conference Championships and multiple NAIA playoff appearances. His experience extends to the high school level as well, having served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Joliet West High School in Illinois, where he developed multiple All-Conference players.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Watson was a linebacker at Northern Illinois University under Head Coach Joe Novak. As a key player for the Huskies, he contributed to a program that achieved a No. 10 national ranking in 2003, securing victories over nationally ranked opponents Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State. During his collegiate career, Northern Illinois was a three-time MAC West Co-Champion (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the 2004 Silicon Valley Bowl. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Northern Illinois and later obtained a master's degree in education from Bethel University in Tennessee.
A dedicated family man, Watson is married to Jasmine Watson, and together they have three children: Brayden, Brianna and Brynleigh.
 
STATESMEN In Georgia
Delta State has compiled a 54-36-1 (.684) all opponents from the State of Georgia dating back to 1926.
 Last season, Delta State went 1-1 against all opponents from Georgia with a win at home against Fort Valley State and the loss coming to NCAA Runner-up Valdosta State.
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. 
Fort Valley State enters this weekend with a 34-16 (.680) overall record in their last 50 road contests dating back to 2011. This weekend will mark the 2025 Season opener for the Wildcats as they went 4-1 in the 2024 season at Wildcat Stadium.   
Statesmen vs. Fort Valley State
This weekend will mark the seventh time that the Statesmen and the Wildcats will face off against each other dating back to 1998 where FVSU won the first contest in Cleveland 21-14.
Delta State has won three-straight contests against the Wildcats including last year's 27-24 win at Parker-McCool. In that 27-24 victory, Senior quarterback Cole Kirk completed 24-39 passes for 241 yards and two Touchdowns. Preseason All-GSC cornerback Jarius McFarland had the game sealing interception in the fourth quarter to clinch the win.
The history of both programs
 The Statesmen, who are embarking upon their 95th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 508-416-23 overall record, winning 54.8 percent of their 947 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 451-305-21 (.594) record in 79 seasons of intercollegiate play.
Scouting the Statesmen
The Statesmen (2-1, 0-0 GSC) enter week three's matchup looking to bounce back after falling on the road against the Braves of UNC Pembroke 25-21 last weekend in Pembroke
The Statesmen scored with a quick response after a UNCP field goal as Quarterback Cole Kirk found Matt Rozier for a 26-yard touchdown strike late in the first quarter, putting DSU in front 7-3.
The Green-and-White extended the lead just before halftime with a determined 11-play, 86-yard march capped by Nick Clark's 8-yard touchdown run, sending the Statesmen into halftime up 14-3.
Delta State's defense held strong throughout, forcing two interceptions and recovering a fumble. Senior defensive back Taylon Doss picked off a pass and returned it 13 yards, while Tye Holsey added another interception as part of his team-high 12 tackles. Fellow senior William Carter was a force in the secondary, tallying 10 tackles and scooping up a fumble return for 12 yards.
In the fourth quarter, the Statesmen struck again when redshirt freshman quarterback Garrett Ames connected with Curtis Rearden on a 25-yard scoring pass, reestablishing a two-possession lead at 21-10. Delta State's special teams also shined, with Cade Mangum going a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points and punter Price Nixon pinning two kicks inside the 20.
Offensively, Kirk and Ames combined for 224 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Matt Rozier led all receivers with five catches for 68 yards and a score. Lawrence Armstrong and Nick Clark provided balance, contributing 48 receiving yards and 52 total yards, respectively.
On the offensive end, senior Wide Receiver Curtis Rearden leads all Statesmen receivers with eight receptions for 190 yards and a GSC leading three touchdown receptions. Rearden has caught a touchdown pass in all three games so far for the Green and White.
Quarterback Cole Kirk currently leads the GSC with 927 total yards through three games this season with 927 (722 pass, 205 rushing) in 105 plays so far this season.
 
Scouting the Wildcats
Fort Valley State (0-2, 0-1 SIAC) will enter their home opener this week after falling to conference foe Clark Atlanta 26-21 last Thursday on ESPN2 in Atlanta.
Against the Panthers, neither team found the end zone in the opening quarter, with both defenses setting the tone early. The Wildcats threatened late in the first, driving to the Clark Atlanta 20-yard line as the quarter expired.
 
FVSU broke through first in the second quarter when quarterback Don Hudson Jr. connected with J.T. Pendleton for an 11-yard touchdown at the 14:11 mark, giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. The FVSU defense immediately forced a three-and-out, but CAU capitalized on a miscue, scoring a safety to cut the lead to 7-2. The Panthers used the momentum, driving from the FVSU 39-yard line to score and take a 9-7 advantage with 8:49 left before halftime.
 
CAU extended its lead just before the break, marching 73 yards for another touchdown and a 16-7 lead heading into the locker room.
 
The Wildcats came out strong after halftime, as Hudson again found Pendleton, this time on a 19-yard strike, to close the gap to 16-14. The FVSU defense locked down on the next series, setting up a methodical drive capped by a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Micheal Cabellero to put the Wildcats back in front, 21-16.
 
The Panthers answered with a field goal to make it 21-19 early in the fourth. The Wildcats drove deep into Panther territory but couldn't convert in the red zone, and Clark Atlanta responded with a clock-draining drive capped by a short touchdown pass to take the 26-21 lead. FVSU's final drive ended just shy on a fourth-and-one attempt, sealing the Panthers' victory.
 
Hudson led the Wildcat offense, finishing 21-for-26 for 142 yards and two touchdowns passing, while also pacing the ground attack with 141 rushing yards on 23 carries. Alexander Wilson added 59 yards on 12 attempts, while Cabellero contributed the lone rushing touchdown.
 
Through the air, Pendleton shined with seven catches for 74 yards and two scores. Braelen Morgan added 45 yards on six receptions and boosted special teams with 70 yards on three kickoff returns.
 
Defensively, Jadyn Walker had six tackles (four solo) and K.J. Spence had six solo tackles to lead the charge. DeAndre Boykins tallied five solo stops, including a sack for a three-yard loss, and two pass breakups.