CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Delta State University football team returns to Parker Field at McCool Stadium as they will take host to the Flying Fleet from Erskine College Saturday afternoon at 6 p.m.

The Statesmen (3-1) return to the AFCA poll as they are ranked 23rd after defeating Fort Valley State 21-16 last weekend in Fort Valley. This weekend will mark the first ever matchup between both teams as last season's matchup was cancelled due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Erskine enters this weekend 0-3 and are currently finishing a four-game road trip after falling on the road to Division III foe Brevard College 38-34 last weekend in Brevard.

The Voice of the Statesmen Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network and on the FloCollege Network with the pre-game show starting at 5:00 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. 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.

Shap Boyd enters his third season as head football coach of the Flying Fleet.

Boyd served for three seasons as the Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach at the University of Virginia at Wise. Prior to his arrival, the Cavalier defense ranked 161st (out of 167) in scoring defense, 145th in total defense and 166th in passing defense. In his first season at Wise, the Cavaliers finished with the program's first winning season since 2008 and their six wins were more than the previous three seasons combined. Boyd's defense improved each year, becoming a force both in the Mountain East Conference and nationally. In his last season at Wise, his defense finished 4th nationally in tackles for loss, 14th in yards per play, 18th in yards per pass, 32nd in scoring defense, 25th in total defense, and 20th in passing defense.

From 2014 to 2015, Boyd was the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach for Southeastern University Fire in the program's first two years of competition. In his two seasons with the Fire, the program had a record of 17-5, an All-American Punter/Kicker, and four All-Conference Defensive Backs. Prior to his service at Southeastern, Boyd was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Muskingum University of Ohio for seven seasons. During his tenure with the Muskies, the defense went from 10th in the Ohio Athletic Conference prior to his arrival to third in each of his final three seasons. The Muskingum defense also finished 24th nationally against the run in 2011. Before coming to Muskingum, he served as defensive coordinator/defensive backs at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, from 2004-2007.

Boyd spent five seasons at NCAA Division I Jacksonville University as the secondary coach before being named associate head coach and defensive coordinator. Prior to Jacksonville, he coached at The University of the South, Lycoming College, and Lock Haven University.

Erskine's head football coach is a 1985 graduate of the University of the South, where he was a member of the football team, and he earned his master's degree in 1987 from Middle Tennessee State University.
 
STATESMEN vs the Palmetto State

Delta State has compiled a 6-3 (.667) overall record vs. all opponents from the State of South Carolina dating back to 1926. This matchup will be the first time the Statesmen faced off against an opponent not named North Greenville.
This will be the Statesmen's second opponent from the State of South Carolina this season as they defeated North Greenville 41-9 on September 6 for the 40th annual Pig Pickin' game.

The STATESMEN - In Parker-McCool
Historically, Delta State is 288-147-15 (.640) at home dating back to 1926 when the University started the football program. Once the Statesmen found a new home in McCool Stadium in the year 1970 they have gone 172-96-8(.623) in Parker-McCool

Erskine enters this weekend with a 2-24 (.077) overall record in their last 26 road contests dating back to the year the program got reinstated in 2020. The Flying Fleet are 0-3 on the road this season as they will be wrapping up their four-game road stretch to start the season.    

Statesmen vs. Erskine
This weekend will mark the first time these two programs will meet in Parker McCool and the second time that the two programs scheduled each other.

Last season, the matchup between Delta State and Erskine was cancelled due to the aftereffects from Hurricane Helene. The Flying Fleet were provisional members of the Gulf South Conference last season for Football as they were waiting for the Conference Carolinas to form.
The History of both programs
 
The Statesmen, who are embarking upon their 95th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 509-416-23 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

Erskine has a 7-44 (.594) record in 5 seasons of intercollegiate play. The Flying Fleet reinstated their program in 2020 after discontinuing the program in 1951.

Scouting the Statesmen
The Statesmen (3-1, 0-0 GSC) return to Parker-McCool after a wild weekend in Fort Valley State last weekend winning 21-16 after trailing 13-0 at the half.

Trailing 13–0 at halftime, the Statesmen refused to fold. Running back Davion Alston jump-started the rally in the third quarter, breaking loose for a 16-yard touchdown run that cut the deficit to six. The momentum carried into the final period, where Delta State put together two clutch scoring drives to seal the win.
 
With just 6:44 left to play, sophomore running back Nick Clark finished a strong scoring drive featuring runs from him and freshman running back Daniel Smith as he powered into the end zone from two yards out, giving the Statesmen their first lead at 14–13. Fort Valley briefly reclaimed the advantage with a late field goal, but the Statesmen had one last answer.
 
Quarterback Garrett Ames engineered the game-winning drive in the final minute, capping it off with a determined four-yard touchdown run with only 27 seconds remaining. Kicker Price Nixon stayed perfect on the day, converting all three extra points and pinned the Wildcats inside the 10 twice on two punts.
 
Defensively, Delta State dominated the trenches, racking up six sacks and 13 tackles for loss, led by Alex Larry's six tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Senior cornerback Taylon Doss added a sack and two tackles for loss, while linebacker Joshua Phillips chipped in with six stops.
 
Offensively, Neno Lemay sparked the passing game with five catches for 81 yards, including a 59-yard strike from Ames that set up the second-half surge. The New Roads, La., native sparked the game winning drive with a kick return to the FVSU 37.
 
Scouting the flying fleet
Erskine (0-3, 0-0 CC) will enter this weekend marking the fourth and final game of a four-game road trip that included losses to Anderson, Presbyterian, and Brevard.

Last weekend, the Flying Fleet fell in a 38-34 shootout against Division III foe Brevard. The Flying Fleet have used an air attack in the first three contests as the Maroon and Gold would average 228.3 passing yards per game, compared to their 118.3 rushing yards per game.

Leading the way for the Flying Fleet is freshman quarterback Ryan Killmer. Killmer enters this weekend completing 49 of 77 passes for 674 yards and five touchdowns compared to four interceptions. Against Brevard, Killmer had his best performance of the season as he completed 22 passes for 424 yards and three touchdowns.

One of Killmer's main targets include redshirt sophomore wide receiver Rodshaun Dorsey. Dorsey has a team high 22 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Dorsey had nine catches for 96 yards and a touchdown last weekend in Brevard.

The Fleet's ground game is led by redshirt sophomore Logan Coldren. The Simpsonville, S.C., native had his best performance of the season last weekend as he had 17 carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Coldren currently has 222 total rushing yards on the season as he averages 5.7 yards per carry and 74 rushing yards per game.

Erskine's defense has given up 474.7 total yards per game so far this season. Last weekend against the Tornadoes, the Flying Fleet slowed down the Brevard rushing attack holding them to 132 yards on the ground.

Erskine was led on the defensive side by Ethan Knox and Gary Maddox III in last weekend's game against Brevard. Maddox III had seven tackles, .5 TFLs and a QB Hurry. Knox led the Flying Fleet with six solo tackles.
On the season, the Erskine defense has been led by sophomore safety Keaton Cooley. Cooley leads all Flying Fleet defenders with 17 tackles (16 solo) with a pass breakup.