CLEVELAND, Miss. — No. 23 Delta State Football put up an impressive performance on Saturday night at Parker Field-McCool Stadium, overwhelming Erskine College in a 52-0 shutout, the program's first since 2022, and improving to 4-1 on the season.
From the opening kick, Delta State seized control. 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.
The Statesmen return to action on Saturday, Oct. 4 with a road game against Barton College in Wilson, N.C. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
