CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Delta State University football team is back in Cleveland this weekend for the Gulf South Conference Championship and Senior Day as they host the No. 13 ranked Valdosta State Blazers.

The game will kick off at 1:00 p.m. (CT) with Senior Day festivities happening at 12:30 p.m. (CT) from Parker Field at McCool Stadium.

The Statesmen enter this weekend on a five-game winning streak with a 5-3 overall record and are 1-0 in GSC play. The Green and White are coming off a bye week after defeating Frostburg State on the road 22-21 in a game where they trailed by 15 points.

The Blazers enter this weekend on a four-game winning streak after defeating nationally ranked North Greenville 49-33 last weekend in Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

The voice of the Statesmen Michael Gross will provide the play-by-play on the Statesmen Sports Radio network on Majic 107.5 FM WMJW and on the FloCollege 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 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 132–50 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.
Graham Craig was elevated to head coach on Jan. 20, 2025, as he served as offensive coordinator for the Blazers in 2024 for their run to the national title game. He became the 12th head coach in the history of the program.
 
Craig returned to Titletown in the spring of 2024 as the offensive coordinator helping lead the team to the program's 11th Gulf South Conference title and a NCAA Division II National runner-up finish this past December with a 13-1 record overall and a 6-0 mark in GSC play.
 
In 2024, Craig's offense finished 11th nationally and tops in the GSC at 448.6 yards per game, while it was eighth nationally in scoring offense at 40.1 points per game which was best in the league. The Blazers led the nation turnovers lost for the season with just five.
 
With two-time Harlon Hill finalist Sammy Edwards under center, the Blazers finished 23rd nationally and tops in the league in passing offense at 248.0 yards per game, while the team was 18th nationally and best in the league in rushing offense at 200.6 yards per contest. The team was second nationally in passes had intercepted with just two INTs allowed all season, while VSU was sixth nationally in first down offense (311) and sixth nationally in third down conversion at a .518 clip. Under Craig's guidance, Edwards, along with offensive linemen Will Flowers, Jeremiah Mawali and Kenley-Mary Asse earned All-America honors in 2024.
 
The All-USA South Conference selection threw for 3,576 yards which set a school record at LaGrange. He also tossed 32 passing touchdowns that season and had a school record 62.2 completion percentage. His best game in 2013 was a 450-yard performance against Birmingham Southern.
 
A native of Birmingham, Ala., he attended Spain Park High School. Craig is married to the former Lauren Young, and the couple has two daughters, Lennon (3) and Georgia (1).
 
STATESMEN vs. Valdosta State
This Saturday will mark the 46th time that the Delta State football program will play against Valdosta State. The series dates to 1982 when Valdosta State joined the Gulf South Conference.

The Series is deadlocked at 22-22-1 with the one tie coming in 1988 here at Parker McCool. Last season, the Statesmen fell to Valdosta State 27-23 in the regular season finale. The Blazers enter this weekend with a three-game winning streak in the series.

Statesmen head coach David Dean is the current all-time winningest coach in Valdosta State Football history. Dean has coached in Valdosta from 1988-1991, and 2000-2015. Since 2015, Dean holds a 2-4 overall record against the school he's walked the sidelines on.

The STATESMEN vs. Peach State
This weekend will mark the 95th time the Delta State Football program has faced off against the Peach State dating back to 1926. The Statesmen hold a 56-37-1 (.595) overall record against the State of Georgia.

This season Delta State has faced off against one opponent from Georgia in their 23-0 win against Shorter back on October 3rd.

Statesmen at Parker McCool
At home, Delta State has compiled a 299-149-15 (.640) 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 175-98-8 (.623) record on the north side of the Delta State University Campus.

Ever since Travis E. Parker Field at Horace McCool Stadium was built in 1970, Delta State has held a 19-8 overall record at McCool Stadium against the Tigers in McCool Stadium on the north side of the Delta State University
Campus. Last time here, the Statesmen knocked of the 10th ranked Tigers 21-6 behind a stellar defensive performance where the Statesmen forced three turnovers.
 
The history of both programs
 The Statesmen, who are embarking upon their 95th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 518-420-23 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

Valdosta State has a 359-143-3 (.516) record in 43 seasons of intercollegiate play.

Scouting the Statesmen
Delta State enters this weekend looking to win six in a row after defeating Frostburg State on a long road trip on Halloween weekend 22-21.
 
Delta State University football rallied in the fourth quarter to earn a thrilling 22-21 victory over Frostburg State on Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Stadium, extending the Statesmen's winning streak to five consecutive games.
 
Trailing 21-13 entering the fourth quarter, Delta State (5-3) scored twice in the final 15 minutes, including Price Nixon's game-winning 23-yard field goal with 55 seconds remaining to complete the comeback.
 
The Statesmen found themselves down by 15 after Frostburg State (4-5) returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter. Delta State responded on its next possession, marching 75 yards in seven plays. Emile Picarella connected with Lawrence Armstrong for a 34-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 21-13.
 
Delta State continued its momentum into the fourth quarter, putting together an 11-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Picarella to Troy Griffin. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Statesmen trailing 21-19.
 
After the defense forced a Frostburg State punt, Delta State took over and put together another scoring drive. The Statesmen covered 37 yards in seven plays, setting up Nixon for the go-ahead 23-yard field goal with just 55 seconds remaining.
 
The Statesmen defense then produced the final stop, forcing a fumble on Frostburg State's final possession to secure the 22-21 victory.
 
Picarella led the Delta State offense, completing 19 of 32 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Griffin led the receiving corps with five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown, while Armstrong hauled in five receptions for 71 yards and a score. BJ Johnson added four catches for 62 yards.
 
On the ground, Nick Clark paced the Statesmen with 64 rushing yards on 15 carries. Qualon Farrar added 32 yards on seven attempts, while Keenan Franks contributed 27 yards.
 
Defensively, Delta State limited Frostburg State to 258 total yards, including just 106 through the air. Jordan Bradley recorded two interceptions for 18 return yards, while LaDainian Davis led the Statesmen with seven total tackles.
 
The defense also recorded two sacks and recovered a fumble.
 
Scouting the Blazers
Valdosta State enters this weekend winners of four in a row after defeating nationally ranked North Greenville 49-33 last weekend in Bazemore-Hyder Stadium

Valdosta State opened the scoring after pinning North Greenville's opening 13-play drive at the Blazers' 32, where William Tate sacked Kam Montgomery on third down to force a punt. Starting at their own 5, the Blazers went 95 yards in nine plays. Matt Wilson broke a 23-yard run, Champ Harris hit Jaheim Arnold for 28 yards and found Chance Black for 13 to the 1-yard line, and Black scored on the next play with 1:41 left in the first quarter.
 
North Greenville answered with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Montgomery to Mikhai Isaac, but the extra point failed, leaving the Blazers ahead 7-6.
 
Valdosta State's next drive covered 63 yards in 13 plays. Harris scrambled 14 yards on third-and-21 to set up a fourth-and-7, then ran 11 yards to the 5 before hitting Rowan Darnell for a 4-yard touchdown and a 14-6 lead with 9:43 left in the half.
 
After Montgomery's 21-yard touchdown run cut it to 14-13, Harris answered with a 54-yard scoring strike to Arnold, capping a seven-play, 77-yard drive with 3:04 to go before halftime.
 
Jabari McMillan intercepted Montgomery in the end zone to end North Greenville's next threat at the Valdosta State 29. The Trailblazers got the ball back on an interception at the Blazers' 34 with 30 seconds left, but Izaiah Scott sacked Montgomery on the first play, and the drive stalled at the 28. Rickey Ransom blocked Camron Frazier's 38-yard attempt as time expired, and Devin Ross scooped it up and went 66 yards for a 28-13 halftime lead.
 
After the Trailblazers' surprise onside kick to open the second half, Harris connected with Leon Washington Jr. for 39 yards to the 4, and Wilson scored on the next play for a 35-13 lead 38 seconds into the third quarter.
 
North Greenville cut it to 35-20, but the Blazers stopped Montgomery for a 3-yard loss on third-and-1, then for a 1-yard loss on fourth-and-4 at the Valdosta State 39. Kenai Grier broke a 30-yard run on the next play, and a pass interference penalty on fourth-and-9 kept the drive alive at the 14. Washington got the ball from Harris on a reverse and then threw it to Arnold in the end zone for a 42-20 lead with 2:26 left in the third.
 
Montgomery's 9-yard run opened the fourth quarter and pulled North Greenville within 42-27. Black carried four straight times for 21 yards on the ensuing drive, but the Blazers were stopped on fourth-and-2 at the North Greenville 24. The Trailblazers converted a fourth-and-9 and a fourth-and-3 on a 12-play, 77-yard drive, with Montgomery scoring from 9 yards out to make it 42-33 with 4:40 remaining. The 2-point try failed.

North Greenville then attempted another onside kick. Valdosta State recovered at the North Greenville 49 and handed the ball to Wilson on seven straight plays as the Trailblazers burned their three timeouts. Wilson finished the 49-yard march with an 18-yard touchdown run with 2:08 left.

Tate sacked Brendan Mansinne at the Valdosta State 36 on the Trailblazers' final drive, and Curtis Janvier intercepted Mansinne at the 7-yard line on the next play with 28 seconds left to seal the victory.

Wilson ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, and Harris threw for 194 yards and two scores as the Blazers averaged 7.4 yards per play and went 5 for 5 in the red zone, all touchdowns. Valdosta State scored offensive touchdowns on six of its nine possessions and punted once.

Janvier, Ransom and Julius Pascal each had seven tackles. Tate finished with two sacks, and Jayden Bethea added six tackles and a forced fumble. Washington finished with 54 receiving yards, and Adrian Gonzalez made all seven extra points.

North Greenville outgained Valdosta State 556-419 and held the ball for 34:13, but the Blazers forced two interceptions, two turnovers on downs and recovered two onside kicks, turning both into touchdowns.