Delta State University

CARROLLTON, Ga. – It proved to be a historic night for the fourth-ranked Delta State University football team, as the Statesmen (9-1, 8-0 Gulf South Conference) cruised to the program’s 400th all-time win, 68-10, over the University of West Georgia (0-10, 0-8 GSC) at Grisham Stadium. 

The win also sealed the second consecutive out-right league championship and put the Statesmen in the driver’s seat of Super Region II heading into next week’s NCAA Division II playoffs. 

“Tonight’s win certainly feels great. We’ve fought hard all season long and our guys showed the determination to finish the season strong and claim the GSC title. We still have a lot of work cut out for us, but we’ll enjoy this one for a short while,” said Statesmen head coach Ron Roberts. 

The Statesmen blasted out of the gates Saturday night, posting three first quarter touchdowns to take a 35-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

Delta State took the opening kickoff and drove 64 yards before Garrett DeWitt threw a 19-yard pass to Trevar Deed with less than four minutes off the clock for the first score of the game. Tom Santos added the extra point, giving the Statesmen a 7-0 lead. 

The Statesmen scored again four and a half minutes later on a seven-yard pass from DeWitt to Tramaine Jenkins in the left corner of the end zone, capping off a nine-play, 84-yard drive that last a little more than three minutes. 

On the Statesmen’s next possession, Delta State attempted to gain a first down on fourth down with a pass from Spencer Strickland to Anthony King that was just past his finger tips, but fell incomplete. The Wolves took advantage of the short field as Sean Gray threw a 49-yard pass to Wilson Kimble for West Georgia’s only score of the first half, cutting the lead to 14-7. 

DeWitt added another touchdown late in the first quarter with a 23-yard pass to Christian Graham. Justin Halas set up the short field with a 46-yard kickoff return to the West Georgia 16-yard line. Santos’ extra point pushed the lead to 21-7. 

The Statesmen attack went to the ground on the next two touchdown drives, with Rafael Mitchell scoring on a 25-yard run and Trevar Deed got his second touchdown of the game on a five-yard run with 17 seconds left in the half. 

The Statesmen out-gained the Wolves 363 yards to 122 in the first period. The Statesmen defense continued to dominate opponents on the ground, holding the Wolves to just 12 yards rushing in the first half. The Statesmen threw for 231 yards and rushed for 132. 

The second half was simply the second act of a two-act play. The Statesmen put up five more touchdowns, two in the third quarter and three in the fourth. Mitchell scored on a two-yard run, and Deed scored on a three-yard run in the third quarter. 

Blake Barnes scored on a four-yard run less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, and Mitchell added two more touchdowns. The freshman scored his third touchdown of the night on a five-yard run, and his fourth on an 11-yard punt block return. Quincy Wallin got the block, sending it toward the end zone for Mitchell to scoop up and score. 

The Statesmen finished the night with 622 yards of total offense, 321 through the air and 301 yards on the ground. The defense held the Wolves to 194 yards of offense, and allowed just 36 rushing yards on 30 carries. 

DeWitt was 22-of-32 passing for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Deed carried the ball seven times for 53 yards and two touchdowns, and caught seven passes for 114 yards and a score. Mitchell finished the night with 13 carries for 64 yards and three touchdowns. 

Damian Davis had a career night, leading the defense with seven tackles, 5.5 for a loss of 24 yards, three sacks for a loss of 19 yards, and one fumble recovery. Lardester Hicks-Green also added seven tackles, three for a loss of 16 yards, and a sack. 

The Statesmen will await Sunday’s NCAA announcement of the 24-team field for the upcoming Division II championship. Delta State Athletics is hosting a Selection Show viewing party at Parker Field-McCool Stadium Sunday, Nov. 9, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. 

Delta State entered the week ranked No. 1 in Super Regional II. Should the Statesmen retain the top spot, DSU will receive a first round bye (Nov. 15) and will host second round action on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.