CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Football Team dropped a 36-13 decision to Wingate on Saturday evening at Parker Field at McCool Stadium, falling to 0-2 on the season.
Wingate struck first with a 10-yard touchdown pass midway through the opening quarter, but the Statesmen answered early in the second. Quarterback
Emile Picarella III connected with
Lawrence Armstrong on a 41-yard touchdown strike to even the score at 7-7 after a 10-play, 73-yard drive.
The Bulldogs regained the lead just before halftime with a 22-yard field goal and carried a 10-7 advantage into the break. Despite a strong defensive effort early, Delta State struggled to slow Wingate's rushing attack in the second half.
Wingate took control in the fourth quarter, scoring 26 points behind four rushing touchdowns to extend its lead. The Bulldogs finished with 251 yards on the ground and 413 total yards of offense.
Delta State found the end zone once later in the contest when Picarella III hit
Jekerious Williams for a 26-yard touchdown pass with just over a minute remaining.
Picarella III completed 12-of-19 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, while Armstrong led the receiving corps with 47 yards on two catches, including his second-quarter touchdown. Williams added 41 receiving yards and a score.
Defensively,
Alonzo Jackson II paced the Statesmen with 10 total tackles, while
Austin Collins recorded a sack and multiple tackles for loss.
Delta State will look to bounce back next week as the Statesmen continue non-conference play.
