Complete Delta State Weekly Release - No. 12

CLEVELAND - The No. 4 Statesmen (10-1, 8-0 GSC) of Delta State University will host the No. 5 Lions (11-1, 7-1 GSC) of University of North Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 29, in the NCAA DII Quarterfinals at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon. The game marks the sixth time the two teams have met over the last three seasons, including two NCAA Regional championships. The winner faces the Northwest Missouri State/Abilene Christian winner on Dec. 6 in the NCAA DII Semifinals at a site to be determined. 

The Statesmen fought off the talented Pioneers of Tusculum College, 27-19, last Saturday to open the playoffs for DSU. Delta State racked up 529 yards of total offense, led by Garrett DeWitt's 344 yards passing. Super sophomore Trevar Deed caught 10 passes for 133 yards and rushed for 56 yards and a score in the win. 

The Lions dispatched Valdosta State, the defending NCAA DII champions, 37-10, with ease last Saturday in Florence at Braly Municipal Stadium. Senior quarterback A.J. Milwee passed for a touchdown and ran for another, and the Lion defense held the vaunted Blazer offense to just 232 yards of total offense in the rout. 

Saturday's game will be the 50th all-time meeting between the two schools and the sixth in the last three years. The Statesmen and Lions faced off on Oct. 16 with Delta State claiming in 34-28 come-from-behind win. 

Saturday's game with North Alabama will be broadcast live on the Statesmen Sports Network and the internet beginning at 11 a.m. with the SouthGroup Insurance Locker Room Report. Matt Jones, Richard Webster and J.T. Webb have the call.

Additional Game Notes

REMATCH: ROUND THREE In each of the last two seasons, the Statesmen and the Lions have played each other in the regular season with a lot at stake. Both times, the loser has gotten an opportunity for revenge. In 2006, the Statesmen lost 17-10 at home one Thursday night in October, before avenging the loss with a 27-10 victory in the Regional Final. In 2007, North Alabama defended their home field during the regular season, defeating the Statesmen 28-17. The Lions were again successful in the second round of the playoffs in Florence, when quarterback A.J. Milwee led a last minute drive for a touchdown and a 20-17 victory that sent the Lions to the Regional Final, only to lose to a Gulf South Conference opponent for the second straight year. This season, it was Delta State quarterback Garrett DeWitt who engineered a last minute touchdown drive as the Statesmen scored with 23 seconds remaining to win the regular season matchup 34-28. The two teams are meeting for the sixth time in three years. Whoever is left standing when the dust settles, after what is sure to be a physical “war,” will find themselves one win away from a National Championship game.

STATESMEN TIED WITH GRAND VALLEY FOR BEST WIN PERCENTAGE IN DII
PLAYOFF HISTORY: The Statesmen enter the quarterfinals tied for the highest win percentage in NCAA Division II playoff history. Since making their first playoff appearance in 1998, DSU is 9-3, including the 2000 National Championship and a National Semifinals appearance in 2006. The Statesmen's .750 postseason winning-percentage is tied with Grand Valley State for the NCAA record. Delta State is making its third-straight postseason appearance, and fifth overall. The Statesmen lost in the first round in 1998, went 4-0 in 2000, 3-1 in 2006, 1-1 in 2007, and 1-0 so far in 2008.
NCAA PERCENTAGE LEADERS:
.750 Delta State 9-3
750 Grand Valley State 24-8
.714 North Alabama 25-10
.714 North Dakota State 30-12
.697 NW Missouri State 23-10

DELTA STATE ESTABLISHES NEW RECORD FOR CONSECUTIVE WINS: After falling victim to one of the top programs in NCAA FCS to open the season, the Statesmen have claimed 10 straight games to establish a new record for consecutive wins in a season. The previous record of nine was set during the 2000 National Championship season. In 2000, the Statesmen opened the season 9-0 before falling to Arkansas Tech 24-10. DSU reeled off five straight wins after the ATU loss, including a 63-34 victory over Bloomsburg in the national championship game in Florence.

ROBERTS ALONE AT THE TOP: In Delta State Football history, few coaches have accomplished what Ron Roberts has done in only two seasons as head coach. Horace McCool established a winning tradition. Todd Knight built the Statesmen into a title contender and in 1998 directed the program to its first GSC tile. Steve Campbell finally climbed the mountain and claimed the school's first NCAA championship in 2000. Rick Rhoades returned the Statesmen to postseason play and a national semifinal appearance in 2006, but no one has had the depth of success Roberts has had in their first two seasons. In 82 years of college football, no coach has guided the Statesmen to two outright conference championships and two NCAA playoff appearances except Roberts. Considering its his first head coaching job makes it an even greater accomplishment. Only time will tell what the Statesmen are able to achieve under the two-time GSC Coach of the Year.