CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Delta State University football team returns to the Magnolia State for the DELTA CLASSIC this Saturday in Itta Bena as they take on the Delta Devils from Mississippi Valley State University.

Kickoff is at 6:00 p.m. (CT) from Rice-Totten Stadium at Chuck Prophet Field on the campus of Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena.

The Voice of the Statesmen Michael Gross will provide the play-by-play on the Statesmen Sports Radio Network on Magic 107.5 WMJW.

The Statesmen are looking for their first win of the season after battling a tough schedule, facing three teams that are either ranked or receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll this season.

Mississippi Valley State earned their first win of the season last Saturday in Chicago against Lincoln University in Pennsylvania 31-20 in a neutral site played at Soldier Field.
 
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 Delta Devils will be Dean's 178th 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 127–50 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.
 
Terrell Buckley was named Head Football Coach at Mississippi Valley State University on January 21, 2025, bringing a championship pedigree, deep Mississippi roots and decades of experience as a player, coach and mentor.
 
A former NFL cornerback, Super Bowl champion and College Football Hall of Famer, Buckley has built a distinguished career defined by discipline, competitiveness, player development and a lifelong commitment to the game of football.
 
A native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Buckley's football journey began at Pascagoula High School, where he helped lead his team to a state championship and an undefeated season in 1987. His success at the prep level laid the foundation for one of the most decorated careers in Florida State University history.
 
Buckley played college football at Florida State from 1989 to 1991, establishing himself as one of the premier defensive backs in the nation. During his time with the Seminoles, he recorded 21 career interceptions, which remains the program record, and totaled 501 career interception return yards, an NCAA record. In 1991, he delivered one of the top seasons by a defensive back in college football history, earning All-American honors, winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and finishing among the top vote-getters for the Heisman Trophy. His No. 27 jersey was retired by Florida State in 2011, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
 
Following his standout collegiate career, Buckley was selected fifth overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 1992 NFL Draft. He went on to play 14 seasons in the National Football League, spending time with several organizations, including the Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, New York Jets and New York Giants. Buckley was a member of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVI championship team during the 2001 season and finished his NFL career with more than 50 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns.
 
STATESMEN Against the SWAC
This Saturday will mark the 11th time that Delta State will face an opponent from the Southwest Athletic Conference, otherwise known as the SWAC. The last time DSU faced a school from the SWAC was in the 2023 season where they defeated the Delta Devils from Mississippi Valley State 35-7 in front of a packed Travis Parker Field at Horace McCool Stadium.
The Statesmen hold a 7-3 overall record in the programs 95 seasons of competition against the SWAC. The Statesmen have faced off against Mississippi Valley State seven times and Jackson State three times.   
All contests were dated back to the 2000 season. Since 2020, the Statesmen are 2-1 with a loss to Jackson State 24-17 in 2021. The Statesmen had a home and home series with the Delta Devils where they defeated MVSU 28-17 in 2022 and 35-7 in 2023.
 
The STATESMEN - in the Delta Classic
The Delta State vs. Mississippi Valley State matchup, known as the Delta Classic, dates to the 2000 season where Delta State has won their lone National Championship in football. The Statesmen defeated the Delta Devils in the inaugural Delta Classic 35-23 in Itta Bena on September 9th, 2000.
The Series history favors the Statesmen as they are currently 6-1 against the Delta Devils. Delta State holds a four-game winning streak dating back to 2003. DSU has scored a total of 218 points vs. MVSU.
Here's the History of matchups from the Delta Classic
9/16/2023        Delta State 35, Mississippi Valley State 7
9/17/2022        Delta State 28, Mississippi Valley State 17
9/7/2013           Delta State 24, Mississippi Valley State 14
9/13/2003        Delta State 45, Mississippi Valley State 0
9/14/2002        Mississippi Valley State 28, Delta State 26
9/8/2001           Delta State 25, Mississippi Valley State 3
9/9/2000           Delta State 35, Mississippi Valley State 23
 
Statesmen vs. The Magnolia State
Delta State has compiled a 61-53-5 (.513) overall record against a school from the state of Mississippi in the program's 95 years of existence
Last time Delta State faced an in-state opponent was in the 2024 season when they traveled to Clinton to face the Choctaws from Mississippi College (Now Mississippi Christian). The Statesmen kept the heritage trophy after taking down the Choctaws 20-14.
This weekend will mark the fifth time that the Statesmen travel to Itta Bena to take on the Delta Devils where they hold a 3-1 record. 
 
The History of Both Programs
 The Statesmen, who are embarking upon their 95th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 513-421-23 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
Mississippi Valley State has a 247-459-12 (.352) record in 73 seasons of intercollegiate play.
 
Scouting the Statesmen
Delta State enters this weekend with a 0-3 record after falling on the road last week to Central Missouri 59-10.
 
The Mules struck quickly and never looked back, scoring twice in the opening quarter and building a 31-7 halftime advantage. Central Missouri totaled 674 yards of offense, including 460 through the air, while limiting the Statesmen to 146 total yards on the night.
 
Central Missouri quarterback Jordan Pachot led the offensive surge, throwing for 391 yards and four touchdowns, while adding a rushing score. Marlon Lindsey hauled in two touchdown receptions, both coming in the first quarter as the Mules jumped out to a 14-0 lead.
 
Delta State's biggest highlight came on special teams in the second quarter, when Jekerious Williams returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to put the Statesmen on the board. The score cut the deficit to 28-7, but the Mules answered before halftime with a field goal to extend their lead.
 
The Statesmen added their final points in the fourth quarter on a 44-yard field goal from Price Nixon.
 
Defensively, Rickie Davis Jr. led Delta State with 17 total tackles, while Tavian Moore added 15 stops. Despite the effort, the Statesmen defense was on the field for much of the contest, as Central Missouri controlled possession for over 36 minutes.
 
In the last Delta Classic in 2023, Home-field advantage proved to be a major factor on Saturday night as the #8 Statesmen move to 3-0 on the season with a 35-7 win over Mississippi Valley State. The crowd of 5,000+ helped cheer on the Statesmen as they blanked the Delta Devils in the second half while scoring 29 points of their own.
 
The Statesmen out-gained MVSU 510-156 in total yardage. DSU picked up 25 first downs while holding MVSU to 12. Delta State's defense holds the Devil offense to an average of 1.0 yard per rush
 
On the offensive side of the ball, Conerly trophy winner Patrick Shegog completed 18 of his 34 pass attempts for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed 16 times for 90 yards and a score. Kelvin Smith carried the ball 9 times for 79 yards and a score. He also led the team in receiving yards with just one catch for 64 yards. Todd Lee Battle caught two passes for 47 yards and a touchdown.
 
On the defensive side, Adrian Hill was tied for the team lead with 6 tackles, including one for loss. Demetrius Swilley also recorded 6 tackles, including half a sack. Malik Jones made 2 tackles and recorded an interception. Mark Robinson recorded 5 tackles, including a sack.
 
 
 
Scouting the Delta Devils
Mississippi Valley is coming from their first win of the 2026 season in Chicago last weekend in a neutral site contest against the Lions from Lincoln (Pa).
Mississippi Valley State brought the heat to Soldier Field on Saturday, using three touchdown passes from Offensive MVP Josh Brown, an explosive performance from Dayvian Bluitt and a fourth-quarter defensive shutout to defeat Lincoln (PA), 31-20, in the Chicago Football Classic.
 
Brown was named the Chicago Football Classic Offensive MVP after completing 14 of 21 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns while adding a team-high 46 rushing yards on nine carries. Bluitt delivered four receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown, finishing with 259 all-purpose yards after contributing 81 yards on kickoff returns and 35 yards on punt returns.
 
Mississippi Valley State totaled 407 yards of offense, including 260 through the air and 147 on the ground. The Delta Devils converted 10 of 14 third-down opportunities and controlled possession for 31:03.
 
MVSU struck first when Norman Taylor capped an eight-play, 27-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run at the 10:57 mark of the opening quarter. Luka Sari's extra point gave the Delta Devils a 7-0 advantage.
 
After Lincoln tied the game late in the first quarter, Brown connected with Nicholas Buggs for a 30-yard touchdown with 3:13 remaining before halftime. Sari added a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, sending Mississippi Valley State into the locker room with a 17-7 lead.
MVSU's defense protected that advantage throughout the final period, keeping the Lions scoreless over the last 15 minutes. Deondri Clark Jr. delivered the final stop with a fourth-down sack on Lincoln's last possession, allowing the Delta Devils to take over and run out the remaining clock.
Douglas Franklin led Mississippi Valley State with seven tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while also forcing a fumble. Kamsi Arinze and Joey Davis contributed six tackles apiece. Clark finished with three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, while Byron Keys and Amir Williams each added a half-sack.
 
The Delta Devils registered nine tackles for loss and three sacks, limiting Lincoln to four conversions on 15 third-down attempts. Martez Williams recovered a fumble, and Jaquez Estera recorded a blocked kick.