CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University football team mounted a second-half comeback but came up short against Valdosta State, falling 25-20 Saturday afternoon at Parker Field at McCool Stadium.
The Statesmen (5-4, 1-1 GSC) battled back from a 16-point deficit in the second quarter, scoring 20 unanswered points to take a fourth-quarter lead before the Blazers (8-1, 2-0 GSC) responded with the game-winning touchdown.
Valdosta State opened the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown run from Matt Wilson at the 11:47 mark of the first quarter. Adrian Gonzalez added a 22-yard field goal late in the opening period to give the Blazers a 10-0 advantage.
Wilson found the end zone again early in the second quarter on a 3-yard rushing touchdown, extending Valdosta State's lead to 16-0 after the extra point was blocked.
Delta State responded with a 21-yard field goal from
Price Nixon with 4:18 remaining in the first half. The Statesmen continued to build momentum late in the quarter as
Emile Picarella broke free for a 12-yard rushing touchdown with 18 seconds remaining. Nixon's extra point cut the deficit to 16-10 heading into halftime.
The Statesmen continued their defensive effort in the third quarter, limiting Valdosta State to a 21-yard field goal while keeping the offense within striking distance.
Delta State's comeback continued early in the fourth quarter when Picarella connected with
Lawrence Armstrong for a 43-yard touchdown pass. Nixon's extra point brought the Statesmen within two, 19-17, with 12:06 remaining.
Nixon then gave Delta State its first lead of the afternoon with a 28-yard field goal at the 6:16 mark, putting the Statesmen ahead 20-19.
Valdosta State answered with a six-play, 66-yard drive, capped by a 15-yard touchdown run from Champ Harris with 3:56 remaining. The Blazers attempted a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful, leaving Delta State trailing 25-20.
The Statesmen had one final opportunity to regain the lead, driving into Valdosta State territory before the Blazers defense forced a turnover on downs with 1:12 remaining.
Picarella completed 10-of-17 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown while adding 31 rushing yards and a score. Armstrong led the Statesmen receiving corps with five catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.
Troy Griffin added four receptions for 35 yards.
Qualon Farrar led Delta State on the ground with 48 yards on 12 carries, while
Nick Clark finished with 38 yards on 12 attempts.
Defensively, Delta State recorded 54 tackles, including 24 assisted stops.
Jeffrey Hobbs led the Statesmen with 1.5 sacks, while
Jordan Bradley recorded an interception.
Austin Collins added a half sack and forced a fumble.
Delta State finished with 289 yards of total offense, including 168 passing yards and 121 rushing yards. The Statesmen controlled possession for 30:33 and converted five of 14 third-down opportunities.
The Statesmen conclude their season with a 5-4 overall record and were 1-1 in Conference Play.
