CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Football Team returns home this weekend for a non-conference matchup with the Shorter Hawks Saturday afternoon at Travis E. Parker Field at Horace McCool Stadium.
 
Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT) as the teams will face each other for the 12^th time in matchup history.

The Statesmen are coming off a bye week after defeating FCS foe Mississippi Valley State University 21-6 on Saturday Sept. 19 in Itta Bena.

Shorter earned their first conference win last weekend after defeating the Flying Fleet from Erskine 31-24 last weekend in Due West, S.C.

The Voice of the Statesmen Michael Gross will provide the play-by-play action on 107.5 FM WMJW, the Statesmen Sports Network, and on the Flo College Digital Network.

The Coaches

David Dean enters his 1st season as head coach at Delta State.
He was hired as the program's 20th all-time head coach on February 6, 2026. Saturday's action against the Hawks will be Dean's 179th game as a head coach.
 
Dean arrives at Delta State with more than 35 years of collegiate coaching experience, including over two decades as a head coach, and a proven track record of sustained excellence at the national level. Over his career, Dean has compiled a 128–50 record as a head coach, captured three NCAA Division II National Championships, earned a national runner-up finish, and won seven Gulf South Conference championships. His success places him as the second-winningest head coach in GSC history, one of the most competitive leagues in Division II football.
 
Most recently, Dean served as head coach at the University of West Georgia from 2017–23, where he became the winningest coach in school history with a 48–20 record. Under his leadership, the Wolves reached the NCAA Division II playoffs three times, including back-to-back appearances in 2017 and 2018, and again in 2021. During the 2022 season, Dean's offense led all of Division II in total offense, highlighting his long-standing reputation as one of the most innovative offensive minds in the college game.
 
During his time in Carrollton, Dean and his team has produced 40 All-Gulf South Conference selections and 16 All-Americans. Two players from his 2019 squad, John Hurst and Azouyah Alufohai signed undrafted free agent contracts in the National Football League.
 
Dean is best known for his success at Valdosta State University, where he built a national powerhouse during two separate stints. As head coach from 2007–15, he posted a 79–27 overall record, led the Blazers to NCAA Division II National Championships in 2007 and 2012, and guided the program to six playoff appearances. Dean was named AFCA National Coach of the Year in both championship seasons and earned multiple regional and conference coaching honors during his tenure.
 
Beyond his individual success, Dean's VSU players captured the highest of honors. His VSU teams had 18 Division II All-America selections, while 10 players signed National Football League contracts. Dean also coached three players who earned GSC Freshman of the Year honors, two league players of the year, and a national defensive player of the year.
 
In addition to his time as head coach, Dean also played a key role in Valdosta State's 2004 national championship as offensive coordinator, helping guide one of the most prolific offenses in Division II history. His teams have been consistently known for explosive offensive production, disciplined special teams play, and a strong emphasis on academic accountability.
 
Zach Morrison is entering his eighth season as the head football coach at Shorter University; a position he has held since being named the program's third head coach in December 2017. With a vision rooted in the phrase "Brick by Brick," Morrison has committed himself to building a Christ-centered culture that emphasizes growth, accountability, and excellence on and off the field.
 
"The program is built on relationships," Morrison shared. "Relationships with one another, with our coaches, with the community, and most importantly with Jesus Christ. Every day we are working to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually, striving to get 1% better. We want to win the day and compete in everything we do."
 
A Georgia native, Morrison spent a decade coaching at the high school level across the state before returning home to Shorter. At Forsyth Central High School in Cumming, GA, he was a four-sport athlete and a three-time All-Region selection in football. He continued his playing career as a member of Shorter's inaugural football team (2005–2008), starting every game of his career at center. A standout on the field, Morrison was a three-time All-Conference selection, a two-time All-American, and an Academic All-American. He helped lead the Hawks to a Conference Championship his senior year, when the offense finished No. 1 in the nation in rushing. Over his four seasons, Shorter posted a 25–18 record and earned its first playoff appearance.
 
Morrison's leadership extended beyond the field. As a member of the Leadership Board, he helped establish the Hawks Covenant, a set of standards for Shorter Football student-athletes. He was also honored with the Allison Ledbetter Award in 2008, recognizing him as Shorter University's Student-Athlete of the Year. He graduated in 2008 with a degree in history and political science.
 
 
STATESMEN Against the Conference Carolinas

This Saturday will mark the sixth time that Delta State will face an opponent from the Conference Carolinas, who jumpstarted Football in their conference in the 2025 season.

The Statesmen held a 4-1 overall record in the 2025 season against the five teams they played from the Conference Carolinas. At home, the Statesmen faced and defeated conference champions North Greenville 41-9, Erskine 52-0, and Ferrum 51-10. The lone loss came on the road last season in Pembroke against the Braves from UNC Pembroke.

Shorter is entering the season with a better look than the 2025 season. The Hawks have matched their win total from the 2025 season last weekend with a conference road win against the Flying Fleet from Erskine 31-24.

The STATESMEN At Home
At home, Delta State has compiled a 290-149-15 (.639) overall record in the program's 95-year history. Starting in 1970, Delta State has called Travis E. Parker Field at Horace McCool Stadium their home, where they compile a 174-98-8 (.621) record on the north side of the Delta State Campus.

In the last 50 road contests, the Shorter hawks have compiled a 6-44 (.120). The Hawks have a chance to win their second road contest in a season for the first time since the 2015 season where they went 2-5 on the road with wins at Southeast Missouri State and Mississippi College.

The Hawks avenged their 23-19 loss to Erskine last season with a 31-24 win last weekend in Due West.

Statesmen vs. the Peach state

Delta State has compiled a 55-37-1 (.591) overall record against a school from the state of Georgia in the program's 95 years of existence.

Last time the Statesmen hosted a school from Georgia was in the 2024 season, when they hosted at the time, no. 1 Valdosta State in November. In 2024 and 2025 DSU went 1-1 against both teams that they played from the State of Georgia.

This weekend will mark the first time Delta State will face Shorter after Shorter departed from the Gulf South Conference before the 2024-25 academic year. Last time the two met up was in 2023 where Delta State defeated the Hawks 56-20 in front of a Pig Pickin' crowd.

The history of both programs and the match up
 The Statesmen, who are embarking upon their 95th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 514-420-23 overall record, winning 55.0 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

Shorter has a 73-152 (.324) record in 21 seasons of intercollegiate play.

This weekend will mark the 12th time Delta State and Shorter will face each other in each of their program's prospective existence. The first matchup went to the Hawks in the 2012 season, 32-21 in their inaugural season as a Gulf South Conference member and a member of NCAA Division II.

In the history of the matchup, Delta State holds a 10-1 record, going on a 10-game winning streak since the first matchup between the schools. The largest margin of victory goes to DSU in 2016 where they defeated the Hawks 47-7. DSU also has the smallest margin of victory with a 14-13 win in the 2021 season.
 
Scouting the Statesmen
Delta State enters this weekend with a 1-3 record after defeating Mississippi Valley State in the DELTA CLASSIC 21-6 on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Itta Bena.
 
The Delta State University football team used a strong second-half performance to pull away from Mississippi Valley State, defeating the Delta Devils, 21-6, Saturday evening at Rice-Totten Stadium.
 
After a scoreless opening quarter, Mississippi Valley State broke through with a 52-yard field goal from Luka Sari with 9:34 remaining in the second quarter, taking a 3-0 lead into halftime.
 
The Statesmen answered in a big way after the break.
 
Delta State's special teams sparked the comeback early in the third quarter when Jordan McKnight recovered a blocked punt and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. Price Nixon added the extra point to put the Statesmen ahead, 7-3, with 9:45 remaining in the quarter.
 
Mississippi Valley State responded with another Sari field goal, this time from 31 yards, trimming the deficit to 7-6.
 
Delta State quickly regained momentum. Emile Picarella connected with Lawrence Armstrong on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 5:10 remaining in the third quarter, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive. Nixon's extra point extended the Statesmen's advantage to 14-6.
 
The Statesmen added the game's final points in the fourth quarter, taking advantage of a second blocked punt. Nick Clark powered his way into the end zone on an 11-yard touchdown run with 8:10 remaining, giving Delta State a 21-6 lead.
 
Clark led the Statesmen's rushing attack with 96 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. Zamariyon Kendall added 50 yards on nine carries.
 
Delta State finished with 284 yards of total offense, including 189 yards on the ground. The Statesmen also held a 19-12 advantage in first downs and controlled the clock for 32:56.
 
Picarella completed 5-of-6 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, while Jayvon Gilmore added 34 passing yards and 18 rushing yards. Armstrong finished with two receptions for 33 yards and the touchdown.
 
Defensively, Alonzo Jackson II paced the Statesmen with eight tackles, while Jordan Bradley added seven. Delta State's defense recorded three tackles for loss and helped limit Mississippi Valley State to 180 total yards and 75 rushing yards.
 
Scouting the Hawks
Shorter earned their first conference win of the 2026 season after defeating the Flying Fleet from Erskine 31-24 last Saturday in Due West, S.C.
 
Shorter opened the game with a strong offensive drive, marching down the field before Carlos Lopez connected on a 32-yard field goal to give the Hawks an early 3-0 lead. The Shorter defense responded on the next possession, as Christian Benson recorded a sack to stop the Fleet's drive and preserve the advantage through the opening quarter.
 
 After both teams traded three-and-outs, Erskine evened the score with a 38-yard field goal. Shorter responded in a major way as David Hill broke loose for a 74-yard run, being brought down just short of the goal line. Dreylan Martin finished the drive with a rushing touchdown to put the Hawks back in front. Another defensive stop set up the Shorter offense, and Devin Edmonds connected with Dennis Sims on a 60-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead. The score marked Edmonds' first touchdown as a Hawk. Shorter continued to control the game, putting together a 12-play, 78-yard drive that ended with Edmonds finding the end zone on the ground to give the Hawks a 24-3 lead heading into halftime.
 
After a quiet start to the second half, the Shorter defense created another opportunity when Mikey Matos recorded a sack and forced a fumble, giving the Hawks possession in the red zone. Shorter was unable to convert on fourth down, however, turning the ball back over to the Fleet. The Hawks' defense responded again, forcing Erskine to punt from its own five-yard line. Conrad Hussey immediately made an impact, blowing up the punt and allowing Armond Jones to recover the loose ball in the end zone to push the Shorter lead to 31-3.
 
 Erskine responded with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to cut into the deficit. After another Shorter defensive stop, the Hawks turned the ball over on a punt return, giving the Fleet another opportunity. Erskine capitalized, converting a fourth-and-25 with a 31-yard touchdown pass to bring the hosts within two scores. Shorter remained composed offensively, continuing to lean on Hill as the Hawks moved the chains and worked to drain the clock. Erskine eventually got the ball back and mounted another scoring drive, converting a third-and-goal from the 17-yard line to further cut into the deficit. After recovering the ensuing onside kick, Shorter was able to close out the game as the Hawks took a knee to secure the 31-24 victory.
 
 
The Hawks dominated the statistical battle, outgaining Erskine 427-220 while rushing for a season-high 228 yards. Shorter's defense was particularly strong against the run, limiting the Fleet to just 24 rushing yards. Making his first start, Edmonds delivered an impressive performance, completing 16-of-29 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing touchdown. Hill turned in a breakout performance, carrying the ball 28 times for 197 yards and averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Sims led the Hawks through the air, hauling in three passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
 
 Defensively, Hussey led Shorter with seven tackles and a forced fumble, while Benson and Matos each recorded two tackles for loss and a sack.