CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Delta State University football team is back on the road this weekend as they travel to the mountains of Western Maryland to take on the Bobcats from Frostburg State University

Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. (CT)/12:00 p.m. (ET) from Bobcat Stadium on the west side of Frostburg State University.

The Statesmen enter this weekend after earning their fourth straight win with a 37-33 homecoming win against West Alabama last weekend in Cleveland. Nick Clark earned Gulf South Conference Weekly honors after the win.

The Bobcats are looking to bounce back from their 27-24 loss at home against Mountain East Conference foe Wheeling in Frostburg last Saturday afternoon.

The Voice of the Statesmen Michael Gross will provide the call on the Statesmen Sports Radio Network on Majic 107.5 FM (WMJW). The game will be streamed on the Mountain East 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 Panthers will be Dean's 180th 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 129–50 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, showcasing 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 perhaps 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.
 
Eric Wagoner enters his third season as head coach of the Football program in the 2024 season.
 
In 2023, FSU finished with a record of 7-3, including a 6-3 mark in MEC play that was good enough to tie for second place in the conference. The Bobcats finished as a top defensive team, allowing just 275.5 yards per game, 21 total touchdowns and 17 points per game, all the best in the MEC and top-20 marks in all of Division II.
 
Under his direction, 13 total players earned All-MEC honors, including the Defensive Freshman of the Year in Darrell Scott and four First Team members (Brandon Dillard - OL, Colby Street - LB, Leonard Scott - DL, and Wylan Harich - DB). FSU also excelled in the classroom, as eight players were named College Sport Communicators Academic All-District, 14 received Academic All-MEC honors, and a further 32 earned a spot on the Commissioner's Honor Roll.
 
During his first season at the helm, Frostburg went 8-3 overall, including a 7-3 record in MEC play that put them third in the conference. FSU was the second-best defensive team, allowing 316.6 yards per game, 23 total touchdowns, and 16.4 points per game. The Bobcat rushing defense was particularly impressive, allowing just 105 yards per game on the ground, a full 20 yards per game better than the next-best team.
 
A pair of Frostburg players received All-American honors in kicker Dayne Koontz and OL Gottlieb Ayedze, while the former was also named a College Sport Communicators Academic All-American. Joining them in receiving First Team All-MEC honors were DE Luke Freeman, LB Dylan Culpen, and DB Wylan Harich, all part of 14 total All-MEC honorees.
 
Prior to taking over as head coach, Wagoner had spent two seasons as the Bobcats' Defensive Coordinator, during which the team went 13-2 across the Spring 2021 and Fall '21 seasons. FSU was the second-best defense by yards per game allowed (294.2) and points per game (16.4), while being the top-ranked rushing defense at just 84.4 yards per game allowed.
 
Wagoner is a graduate of Saint Francis and was a four-year letter winner for the Cougar football team. He helped the team to a 51-4 overall record with four league championships, four playoff appearances and three national championship game appearances. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Saint Francis in 2007, and he earned his master's in business administration in 2011.

STATESMEN vs. the State of Maryland
This Saturday will mark the 2nd time that the Delta State football program will play against a team from the state of Maryland and the first regular season matchup.

Last time the Statesmen faced a team from Maryland was in the postseason in 2017 where they defeated the Bulldogs from Bowie State in the first round of the NCAA Division II Championship Playoff 45-35. In that matchup, the Statesmen ran for 340 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry while holding the Bulldogs to 74 on the ground.

This weekend will mark the first time Delta State and Frostburg State will meet. The two teams scheduled a home-and-home series as the Bobcats will return a trip to Cleveland in the 2027 season.

The STATESMEN vs. the Mountain East Conference
This weekend will mark a first for the Delta State Football program as DSU has never faced a program in the Mountain East Conference since the conference was formed in 2012.

The Mountain East Conference formed in 2012 as an offshoot of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference otherwise known as the WVIAC. The Statesmen have faced two programs in the history of the WVIAC and are
1-0 against any team in the conference in their conference history with the lone win in postseason play against Shepherd University in the NCAA Division II Semifinals 29-17 in Parker-McCool Stadium.

The Statesmen beat a former WVIAC program in their first season out of the WVIAC in West Virginia Tech in their 2006 season opener 61-0.

Statesmen ON the Road
Delta State has compiled a 26-24 overall record in the past 50 road contests dating back to the 2015 season. The Statesmen are 2-2 this season after being 3-2 in the 2025 season on the road. Last time on the road, the Statesmen defeated Ferrum 24-7 on Saturday, October 17th in Ferrum, Va.

Head Coach David Dean has had an impressive resume when it comes to playing on the road. In 84 games, teams coached by David Dean have compiled a 59-25 (.702) overall record.
 
The history of both programs
 The Statesmen, who are embarking upon their 95th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 517-420-23 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

Frostburg State has a 332-304-8 (.516) record in 65 seasons of intercollegiate play. The Bobcats made the jump to Division II in the 2019-20 academic year.

Scouting the Statesmen

Delta State enters this weekend looking to win five in a row after defeating GSC foe West Alabama 37-33 in front of a Homecoming crowd.
 
The Statesmen improved to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play, overcoming multiple momentum swings in a back-and-forth contest.
 
Delta State opened the scoring with a 26-yard field goal from Price Nixon with 3:04 remaining in the first quarter. West Alabama answered immediately, returning the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead.
 
The Statesmen responded in the second quarter when Jordan Bradley recovered a fumble and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown, putting Delta State ahead 10-7. West Alabama regained the lead with a 56-yard interception return, but the Statesmen answered before halftime. Qualon Farrar capped a five-play, 23-yard drive with a 7-yard rushing touchdown, giving Delta State a 17-14 advantage.
 
West Alabama opened the second half with another 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, moving back in front 20-17. Delta State answered with a pair of rushing touchdowns to regain control. Farrar scored on a 6-yard run with 6:39 remaining in the third quarter, and Nick Clark added a 12-yard touchdown run with 1:31 left in the period. The Statesmen carried a 31-20 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
The Tigers cut into the deficit with a 1-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth, but Nixon connected on field goals of 41 and 27 yards to extend Delta State's advantage to 37-27.
 
West Alabama added a late touchdown with 1:32 remaining to make it a four-point game. The Statesmen held on in the closing moments to secure the victory.
 
Clark powered the Delta State offense with 178 rushing yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. Farrar added 87 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries as the Statesmen finished with 274 yards on the ground and 387 yards of total offense. With his efforts, Clark earned Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week
 
Defensively, Bradley's 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown proved to be a pivotal play. Delta State also recovered two West Alabama fumbles and forced three turnovers overall, including the fumble return for a score. The
Statesmen held the Tigers to 237 total yards and just 64 rushing yards.
 
Nixon finished 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, connecting from 26, 41 and 27 yards, and converted all four of his extra-point attempts.
 
Scouting the Bobcats
Frostburg State is looking to bounce back after falling 27-24 against Mountain East Conference foe Wheeling last Saturday in Frostburg. The loss was their first home loss of the 2026 season.
 
The Bobcats had 404 total yards behind Junior quarterback Peyton Murphy who completed 13 passes for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
 
With momentum on their side, Murphy found Timmons for 17 yards to convert a 3rd-and-5 before the pair connected again two plays later, with the former passing deep down the right side and the latter running in the rest of the way to take Frostburg's first lead of the day at 16-13 following Murphy's two-point conversion run. Wheeling took the final four and a half minutes of the third quarter off the clock, getting deep into Bobcat territory after some chunk plays. From the 11-yard line, Green took the ball twice and punched in, putting the Cardinals back up 20-16.
 
Neither team could get much going on their next possessions, as FSU looked like they were set to put together a drive following Murphy is third down converting run and 15-yard strike to sophomore Caleb Barnes, however an interception intended for Timmons gave WU the ball back. Frostburg managed to force another punt but on the second play of the next possession, a fumble was narrowly recovered by the visitors to get possession back. This time, Wheeling made the most of it, as Lutz had a 12-yard completion to Love before Ayden McKinstry hit from a yard out to go up 27-16.
 
Needing a quick score, Murphy swiftly got the Bobcats up field, finding Timmons for 23 yards, senior Daysen Shell for 11, and finally senior Austin Paul-Umstead for 26, as he muscled his way over the goal line for a touchdown. Seeking to get within a field goal, Murphy found Shell over the middle for a successful two-point try, making things 27-24. A short kick kept the ball with the Cardinals, as FSU spent a pair of timeouts hoping to get the ball back on a 3rd-and-7. Lutz had other ideas, finding Love deep down the far sideline for a 32-yard catch that put the game out of reach, running the clock down for the three-point win.
 
Murphy had 13 completions for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns, as Timmons was by far his favorite target on six catches for 156 yards and a score. Halveland helped lead the defense with seven tackles, including two for a loss and a sack.
 
Headed into this weekend, the Bobcats have one of the most efficient passing attacks in the country. FSU has a team completion percentage of .652, marking the highest in the Mountain East Conference and the 19th best in the country.
 
Redshirt Junior quarterback Jordan Brooks, who sat out last week against Wheeling leads the way with a .669 completion percentage but averages 199 passing yards per game.
 
The Bobcats have the Mountain East's leading rusher in redshirt junior running back KJ Smothers. Smothers enters this weekend leading the MEC with 10 rushing TDs on the season, while having 582 on the ground. Last weekend, Smothers had 62 on the ground, while redshirt junior wide receiver Tra'Shaun Timmons led the way through the air with six catches for 156 yards and a 74-yard touchdown reception to give FSU their only lead of the game.