Box Score
CLEVELAND – With 3:33 remaining in the contest and trailing 28-27 to second-ranked North Alabama, the Delta State football team, led by junior quarterback Garrett DeWitt, marched 90 yards down the field in 3:10 to score the game-winning touchdown on Trevar Deed's two-yard run off the left end. Deed's touchdown capped an unforgettable comeback for the Statesmen, who trailed 21-7 at the half. The seventh-ranked Statesmen improved to 6-1 on the year and 5-0 in Gulf South Conference play, while North Alabama fell to 7-1 and 4-1 in league play.
The win placed the Statesmen, defending GSC champions, in full control of the GSC race and NCAA Super Regional Two. The victory also extended DSU's GSC win-streak to 20 straight games.
In the first half, North Alabama took full advantage of the good field position after forcing the Statesmen to punt after five plays on the first drive of the game. The Lions drove 49 yards down the field to score the first points of the game on a one-yard run from Mike McLendon to put the Lions up 7-0.
The Lions defense made it 14-0 following a 54-yard interception return by Larry Wilson with 3:44 left in the first quarter. David Raymond intercepted Garret DeWitt's pass at the UNA 30-yard line, and before he could be tackled, the junior made a quick lateral to Wilson, who rumbled for the score.
The Statesmen cut the lead in half just before the end of the first quarter, as DeWitt connected with Rob Moore on a 22-yard touchdown with 0:32 remaining in the quarter.
As the second quarter began, North Alabama wasted little time in extending their lead after another DeWitt interception. Working from the DSU five-yard line after Derron Dampier returned the interception 25-yards, A.J. Milwee found a wide open Joemal Campbell in the corner of the end zone to give the Lions a two possession lead, 21-7.
Neither team would muster enough offense to score for the remainder of the half, and the Lions led 21-7 at the break.
DeWitt finished 12-of-22 for passing for 94 yards and a touchdown; however, he did throw four interceptions, two to Dampier.
Trevar Deed led the rushing attack with 10 rushes for 56 yards, while Moore had three receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.
UNA quarterback Milwee was 4-of-10 for 87 yards and a touchdown.
After a spirited locker room talk from Statesmen head coach
Ron Roberts, the momentum quickly shifted in the third quarter in favor of the green-and-white. After sophomore
Matt Melton intercepted Millwee's pass at UNA's 40-yard line, the Statesmen offense went to work. DSU took full advantage of the good field position and finished off the drive with a 16-yard pass to Greg Betterson from DeWitt, his second of the game to cut the UNA lead to 21-13. Santos' PAT was no good.
After forcing the Lions to punt, the Statesmen scored on their next possession with 3:57 remaining in the third quarter. On second and goal, DeWitt found Moore again, this time in the end zone, to cut the lead to one, 21-20.
DSU's defense once again held firm, forcing another three-and-out for Milwee and company. The Statesmen finally took the lead with 10:38 remaining in the game. Chad Schroeder scored on a 10-yard reception from DeWitt to close out a nine play, 81-yard drive that chewed up 4:07 of clock.
For the first time in the second half, North Alabama showed signs of life, driving the field 83 yards in nine plays to retake the lead, 28-27. Milwee finished off the drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ed Gant. Schnieder's PAT was good.
The Statesmen would quickly go three-and-out and were forced to punt the ball away. UNA received great field position at the UNA 41-yard line.
Coach
Ron Roberts challenged his defense to stop the Lions in three plays, and once again, they rose to the occasion, forcing a punt.
After a beautiful punt from UNA's Will Batson, Chad Schroeder was forced to call for the fair catch, pinning the Statesmen at their own 10 yard line. The next 3:10 seconds may go down in the annals of DSU history.
DeWitt and DSU didn't do it the easy way. UNA held firm on first and second down before being hit with a holding call. Facing fourth down and 23 yards to go, DeWitt calmly stepped up in the pocket and completed a 25-yard pass to Deed for a first down.
DSU would rush for a first down on three plays at the UNA 29. On the next play, DeWitt connected with Moore on a 27-yard gain to the UNA two-yard line. Deed punched it in on the next play for the lead, 36-28.
After a squib kick gave the Lions the ball at their 40 yard line with only 21 seconds left, Milwee delivered a 19-yard strike to Joemal Campbell to the DSU 41 yard line. Two incomplete passes to the end zone later, the Statesmen stormed the field with the win.
DSU racked up 478 yards of total offense on 81 plays, while the Statesmen defense held the Lions vaunted offense in check with 242 yards on 60 plays. UNA entered the game averaging 496 yards and 187.9 yards rushing. The Lions managed just 33 yards rushing on the night.
Delta State's ground attack kept UNA's defense in check with 218 yards rushing on 40 carries, led by Deed's 134 yards and a score. Deed also caught eight passes for 100 yards, and returned one kick for 24 yards to finish the game with 258 yards of total offense.
DeWitt passed for 262 yards on 24-of-41 passing with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Moore also caught six passes for 92 yards and two scores. Schroeder grabbed five passes for 24 yards and a score, while rushing seven times for 45 yards.
Milwee passed for 205 yards on 16-of-29 passing with one touchdown and one interception. Mike McLendon finished with on 32 yards rushing and a score. Joemal Campbell caught six passes for 62 yards and a score.
Eric Jackson led DSU with eight tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss. Lardester Green-Hicks also recorded eight tackles with one tackle-for-loss. Justin Halas recorded five stops, 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
Bobby Brooks led UNA with 10 tackles.
The Statesmen hit the road next Saturday, Oct. 25, to take on the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Wilkins Stadium.