CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Football Team kicks off their 2026 season on the road as they head to Tahlequah, Oklahoma Friday night to take on the Riverhawks from Northeastern State University. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT) at Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium.

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The Voice of the Statesmen Michael Gross will provide the radio broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network and on WAID Power 106.5 FM. The game will be streamed on the MIAA Network.

 The Statesmen return 16 players (seven offense, seven defense two special teams) who played in eight or more games during the Statesmen's 2025 season and nine players who received preseason All-GSC accolades announced a month year ago.

Northeastern State finished the 2025 season with their best record in 25 years with a 9-3 overall record. The Riverhawks currently are the lone division II school who is independent in football after being in the MIAA from 2012 to 2023

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. Friday's action against the Riverhawks will be Dean's 175th 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 127–47 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.

In just his second season leading the Northeastern State University Football program, Head Coach Darrin Chiaverini engineered one of the largest turnarounds in all of college football and delivered one of the greatest seasons in Riverhawks history. After laying the groundwork for improvement in 2024, Chiaverini and the Riverhawks surged to a 9-3 record in 2025, capturing the First American Bowl Championship, marking NSU's largest year-to-year win jump since the 1994 national championship season and the program's most wins in a season since 2000. The 2025 campaign reset expectations, shattered records, and re-established Northeastern State as a rising force regionally and nationally.  On January 2, 2026, College Football Network selected Coach Chiaverini as the Division 2 Coach of the Year.

The Riverhawks' transformation was historic. NSU set school records for total points (483), touchdowns (65), and points per game (40.3), outscoring opponents by 282 points across the season. The team closed the year on a dominant seven-game winning streak, overwhelming opponents by 255 total points during that stretch and capping the season with a 56-21 victory over East Central University in the inaugural First Americans Bowl. Behind Chiaverini's leadership, the Riverhawks became one of the most explosive and balanced offenses in the country while fielding one of the most opportunistic defenses in school history.

Among the season's defining moments were three of Chiaverini's first signature "brick games" performances that anchor the long-term foundation he is constructing in Tahlequah. The campaign opened with a statement win in the 48th annual Red Feather Classic, where NSU stunned Saginaw Valley State 28–21 despite entering as 25-point underdogs. In late October, the Riverhawks reclaimed the President's Cup for the first time since 2013, defeating in-state rival Central Oklahoma in a wire-to-wire performance. NSU capped the regular season with a dramatic comeback victory over West Alabama, shutting out the Tigers 16–0 in the fourth quarter to secure a 33–20 win over a playoff program from the year prior.

The 2025 offense reached unprecedented heights under Chiaverini's system, averaging 441.5 yards per game and 7.3 yards per play, while producing 3,422 passing yards, 1,876 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns, and 27 passing touchdowns. Quarterback Donnie Smith delivered a historic season, setting school records with a 71.8% completion percentage and 231 completions. Running back Ramon McKinney Jr. became NSU's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2012, ranking among the program's best all-time in all-purpose yards and scrimmage touchdowns. Also, for the first time in school history NSU had a 3,000-yard passer in Donnie Smith, a 1,000-yard rusher in Ramon McKinney Jr. and a 1,000-yard receiver in LaVontae Shenault.

STATESMEN In Season Openers

Delta State has compiled a 49-41-5 (.510) record in season openers over the program's 95-year history.

The Statesmen hold a 17-7 (.696) dating back to the 2000 season. Head Coach David Dean has posted a 13-2 (.866) overall record as a head coach in his season openers. At West Georgia, Dean posted a perfect 6-0 (1.000) record from 2017-2023. 

The STATESMEN - On the Road

In the past 50 games away from Parker McCool, the Statesmen have compiled a 26-24 (.520) overall record dating back to the 2015 season. Last season, the Statesmen played five games on the road and totaled a 3-2 overall record.

David Dean in his tenure as a head coach, has compiled a 57-23 (.712) overall record in 80 games played on the road.

Statesmen vs. Teams West of the Mississippi

Delta State has compiled a 186-127-10 (.576) in 323 total games against teams residing west of the Mississippi River.

This Friday's matchup between the Statesmen and the Riverhawks will be the first time that Delta State will travel to the state of Oklahoma since the year 1962 when they traveled to Ada, Okla., to take on East Central University on Thursday November 22nd. The Statesmen won that matchup 24-19 and finished the season 7-2.

The history of both programs

 The Statesmen, who are embarking upon their 95th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 513-418-23 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

NSU has a 459-492-30 (.483) record in 102 seasons of intercollegiate play.

Scouting the Statesmen

Delta State enters year one of the David Dean era with 13 returning starters; six on offense, five on defense and two on special teams after finishing the 2025 season with a 7-3 overall record. The Statesmen have nine preseason All-GSC nods entering this season.

DELTA STATE OFFENSE

On the offensive end, Delta State returns six starters returning from the 2025 season along with three preseason All-GSC honorees led by redshirt sophomore running back Nick Clark, senior tight end Carter Coullard and wide receiver Lawrence Armstrong.

At Quarterback, the Statesmen had a battle throughout fall camp between redshirt freshman and LSU transfer Emile Picarello, redshirt junior Reed Miller and redshirt freshman JL Davis. Picarello will get the starting nod this Friday against the Riverhawks. "Emile has done a great job with picking it up," Coach Dean mentioned in Monday's press conference. "He's another guy that's very smart. You can tell that he is a guy that is a great leader. He goes out to practice, and the guys respond to him when we get in the huddle, they respond to him when we make good plays. Other QBs in the room include incoming freshmen, Jayvon Gilmore and Mac Nelson who have also made impressions throughout fall camp.

At running back, the Statesmen return two guys who have seen action in at least six games throughout the 2025 season. Redshirt sophomore Nick Clark leads the way for DSU headed into this weekend. The Daphne, Ala., native led the GSC in 2025 with 11 rushing touchdowns in the 2025 season, while carrying the ball 130 times for 531 yards. Along with Clark is graduate Qualon Farrar who has seen action in six games for DSU in 2025. Farrar had 44 carries for 194 yards and five touchdowns. Another name to mention is Zamariyon Kendall. Kendall is a transfer from Mississippi Valley State. In 2025, Kendall had appeared in seven games for the Delta Devils at running back.

Delta State will have a talented core in the wide receiver room. That receiving room includes six players who have hauled in significant receptions in the 2025 season. Starting with senior wide receiver Lawrence Armstrong. Armstong, a preseason All-GSC receiver had 21 receptions for 426 yards and three touchdowns. The Houston native earned GSC Offensive player of the week after his outburst against West Alabama. Redshirt junior Matt Rozier is another name to lookout for. The Huntsville, Ala., native had 18 receptions for 194 yards and a touchdown in the 2025 season. Redshirt sophomore Jaden Gibson is another returner who has hauled in 10 receptions for 165 yards. Troy Griffin will see action as a punt returner and a receiver where he hauled in 13 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown in 2025. Harrison Knight and Zac Dyer are back after a season where they battled injuries in 2025. Newcomers to watch include North Alabama transfer Omareon Finch, along with Mississippi JUCO transfers BJ Johnson, Makyi Reed-Jones, and Jekerious Williams.

Up front, senior tight end Carter Coullard looks to bring great experience to the tight end room. The Lake Providence, La., native caught the first and final touchdown reception of the 2025 season along with seven receptions for 73 yards. Coullard and redshirt sophomore tight end Jackson Fugate look to be dual threats at the tight end position this season.

Up front, the Statesmen bring back five returners along with four incoming transfers on the offensive line. Returning starters include Jackson Davenport and Anthonee Dunn. Davenport returns at center while Dunn has experience as a tackle and guard. Fellow returners include Connor Jones at tackle, Caydon Smith at guard and Aedan Hogan at Tackle. Several newcomers will look to make impact including Northwest Mississippi Community College transfer Drew Brewer at guard and potentially at center. Fellow newcomers to watch include Pear River transfer Joshua Myers, Co-Lin transfer Londen Butler, and East Texas A&M transfer Cole Thrift.

DELTA STATE DEFENSE

The Statesmen defense brings back a load of experience from the 2025 season starting with up front with defensive lineman Maliek Robertson and Chris Brown. Robertson and Brown both earn preseason All-GSC nods after combining for 38 Tackles (18 Solo), 5.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks in the 2025 season. Several names that impressed throughout camp include returners TJ Edwards, Kamran Anderson, Jack Sewell and Jeffrey Hobbs. A newcomer to watch on the line is Greenwood native Detrick Munford who transferred from Jones College.

The Linebacker core this season for the Statesmen include several returners. Memphis native Austin Collins, who received preseason All-GSC honors could be seen both up front on the line or in the defensive back field. Collins led the Statesmen with nine TFLs in the 2025 season including a scoop and score against West Florida. Joining Collins is returner Tavian Moore. Moore is a fellow preseason All-GSC honoree, who is leading tackler returning from last season where he had 51 tackles, six TFLs and an interception. Moore earned a defensive player of the week in DSU's win at West Alabama. Several newcomers to look out for are transfers Alonzo Jackson II and Barrett Newman.

In the secondary, DSU has an exciting group this season. It starts at the cornerback position with transfers Davaris Pilcher and RJ Hill. Pilcher, a Greenwood native returns to the Delta after two seasons at South Alabama. Hill brings Division II experience to the table as he was an All-MIAA honorable mention at corner during his time at Missouri Southern. Other corners to look out for include D1 transfer Leon Kroener and Holmes Community College transfer PJ Pace. At safety, DSU has a few returners including Nycolis Prudhomme and Faisal Sokoya. Jordan Bradley, who redshirted in 2025 will see some action this season in the secondary as well for the Green and White. Newcomer Kyle McKinney, who transferred from UAB will also be a name to look out for.

DELTA STATE SPECIAL TEAMS

The Special Teams unit will see some familiar faces from the 2025 season along with some exciting newcomers for the 2026 season. One returner includes 2025 All-GSC punter Price Nixon. The Clinton native earned second team All-GSC honors as a punter and a special teams utility after starting in all 10 games as the punter and the kickoff specialist. Nixon had 39 punts for 1,487 yards while putting opposing teams inside their 20 18 times and four punts going over 50 yards. As a kickoff specialist, Nixon had 19 touchbacks and 3,724 total yards in the 2025 season. Fellow returning long snapper Brandin Talley, earned preseason All-GSC as a special teams utility. The Biloxi native started in nine games as the team's long snapper, mostly on the punt team where he had a tackle in coverage in DSU's 41-9 win against North Greenville. Some newcomers to watch will include freshman kicker Leandro DeCarvalho and junior long snapper Hunter Moore.