GAME NOTES: Delta State University (9-1, 3-0 GSC) at University of West Georgia (5-4, 1-2 GSC)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 1/No. 1 ranked Statesmen (9-1, 3-0 GSC) of Delta State University, who are currently No. 1 in the Super Region II Poll, will close out the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the University of West Georgia (5-4, 1-2 GSC) at University Stadium in Carrollton, Ga.  Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. EST.  The game marks the 25th meeting all-time versus the Wolves with the Statesmen holding a 17-7 edge in the series standings.
 
The Statesmen claimed their fourth Gulf South Conference Championship in five seasons under head coach Ron Roberts last Saturday with a 36-34 victory over then-No. 18/No. 20 University of West Alabama (7-3, 2-2 GSC) at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  The title was the sixth all-time for the program and the fifth since 2000.

Coach Ron Roberts joined elite company last week, becoming just the second coach, joining Jacksonville State's Jim Fuller, in Gulf South Conference history to lead a program to four championships.   The Visalia, Calif., native is 45-14 in his five seasons as head coach, including four GSC crowns, four NCAA playoff appearances, one NCAA Super Region II title and a national runner-up finish in 2010. 

The Statesmen enter the week ranked No. 1 in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 and D2Football.com Top 25 polls for a fourth consecutive week.  It's the first time since the 2001 season that DSU has held the top spot. 

Senior junior punter Andrew Jones was named GSC Special Teams Players of the Week, his second honor of the season, after helping to hold UWA to minus-six punt return yards, booming five balls for 222 yards and a 44.4 average.  The Corinth, Miss., native placed three punts inside the Tigers' 20-yard line and his longest kick went for 56 yards.  He currently leads the GSC, averaging 42.2 yards per punt for the Statesmen.  

Harlon Hill Trophy candidate Micah Davis continues to direct one of the nation's most prolific passing attacks.  The senior from Wesson, Miss., has completed 237-of-376 passes for 2,847 yards with 19 TDs and 13 INTs.  He has also rushed for nine TDs on the season.

Dominique Davenport, a senior corner, inched closer to the DSU record for career interceptions after picking off a Kyle Caldwell pass in last week's 36-34 win over UWA.  Davenport enters Saturday's game at UWG with 12 career INTs, one away from tying the school record. 

On the Big Stage: The Statesmen have played 21 games all-time on TV with a 16-5 record in program history on TV.

Versus Top 25: DSU is 4-0 this season against teams ranked nationally and 14-6 against Division II ranked opponents in the Roberts era. 

4th Quarter Comebacks: The Statesmen are 4-1 this season when trailing an opponent at the end of the 3rd quarter.  DSU has completed comebacks versus Elizabeth City State, Henderson State, North Alabama and Valdosta State.  The lone loss came at Northwestern State (FCS) on a controversial play during a two-point attempt. 

TD or Less:  Since Ron Roberts took over as head coach, DSU is 19-4 in games decided by a TD or less, including a 5-1 mark this season. 

Robert Hogan, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound outside linebacker, is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading Delta State (9-1, 3-0 GSC) to a 36-34 victory over then No. 18 West Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 5, as the Statesmen claimed their 50th Homecoming win at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

The Lexington, Miss., native recorded seven total tackles, including four solo stops and three assisted tackles, in the win over the Tigers.  He also tallied a half tackle-for-loss on UWA quarterback Kyle Caldwell.  

The four-year letterwinner has amassed 164 career tackles with 21.0 tackles-for-loss, and nine sacks.  The powerful outside linebacker has also recorded seven pass break-ups, an interception, four forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and one blocked kick.  Hogan has played inside and outside linebacker during his four year career.    

STATESMEN CLAIM FOURTH TITLE UNDER COACH RON ROBERTS
The top-ranked Delta State University Statesmen (9-1, 3-0 GSC) claimed their fourth Gulf South Conference title in five years under head coach Ron Roberts after Saturday's 36-33 victory over then-No. 18 West Alabama at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

Roberts became the second head coach in Gulf South Conference football history to guide a team to four league titles, joining former Jacksonville State head coach Jim Fuller, who led the Gamecocks to four titles from 1977 to 1982.    

Several head coaches have led teams to three titles, including North Alabama's Wayne Grubb (1980, 1983, 1985) and Bobby Wallace (1993, 1994, 1995); JSU's Bill Burgess (1989, 1991, 1992); and Valdosta State's Chris Hatcher (2001, 2002, 2004).    

The Statesmen claimed their first ever league crown in 1998 under then-head coach Todd Knight.  Former head coach Steve Campbell led the green-and-white to the 2000 GSC title and the NCAA Division II National Championship.  

In Roberts' five seasons, the Visalia, Calif., native has guided the Statesmen to a 45-14 record (76.2%) with four GSC crowns, four NCAA Division II playoff appearances, one NCAA Super Region II title, and a national runner-up finish in 2010.  

INSIDE THE SERIES: WOLVES & STATESMEN
In a series that dates back to a 35-3 victory for Delta State in 1983, the Statesmen and University of West Georgia Wolves will renew their rivalry on Saturday at University Stadium in Carrollton, Ga.  

DSU owns a 17-7 lead in the series standings, including seven straight victories over UWG.  The Statesmen claimed a 54-34 victory at University Stadium last season in Carrollton, Ga., and have outscored the Wolves 45.7-13.6 during the current seven game win streak.  

A complete breakdown of the series is listed below.      

YEAR    WINNER    RESULT    LOCATION
2010    Delta State    54-34    Carrollton, Ga.
2009    Delta State    48-7    Cleveland
2008    Delta State    68-10    Carrollton, Ga.
2007    Delta State    41-9    Cleveland
2006    Delta State    21-7    Carrollton, Ga.
2003    Delta State    61-7    Carrollton, Ga.
2002    Delta State    27-21    Cleveland
1999    UWG             31-42    Carrollton, Ga.
1998    Delta State    34-10    Cleveland
1997    UWG             9-28    Cleveland
1996    Delta State    51-34    Cleveland
1995    UWG             14-20    Carrollton, Ga.
1994    UWG             20-32    Cleveland
1993    UWG             7-27    Carrollton, Ga.
1992    Delta State    36-35    Carrollton, Ga.
1991    UWG             15-20    Cleveland
1990    Delta State    28-9    Cleveland
1989    Delta State    27-21    Cleveland
1988    UWG             28-33    Carrollton, Ga.
1987    Delta State    40-9    Cleveland
1986    Delta State    42-27    Carrollton, Ga.
1985    Delta State    25-20    Cleveland
1984    Delta State    52-0    Carrollton, Ga.
1983    Delta State    35-3    Cleveland

AGAINST THE STATES
The Statesmen are facing their third opponent from the state of Georgia on Saturday.  Delta State is 2-0 this season against teams from the “Peach State,” including victories over Fort Valley State (27-7) and Valdosta State (36-33).  

Delta State is 35-19-1 all-time versus the state of Georgia, including a 17-7 edge over Saturday's opponent West Georgia.  

LAST TIME OUT: DSU 36 - UWA 34
The No. 1 ranked Delta State Statesmen football team raced out to a 30-0 lead over then-No. 18 West Alabama and had to hold on for a 36-34 victory Saturday, Nov. 5 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

Despite holding the Tigers in check during the first half, UWA head coach Will Hall made several second half adjustments that put his squad back in the game.  

The Statesmen were held to just 311 yards of total offense, their lowest output of the season.  Micah Davis completed 27-of-39 passes for 272 yards and two TDs, but had three passes intercepted, including one off tips at the line.  

IN THE POLLS: STATESMEN UNANIMOUS NO. 1
Delta State enters this week's contest against West Georgia ranked in the nation's top 10 for an 11th consecutive week.  DSU currently sits No. 1 in the D2Football.com Top 25 Media Poll and the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.

The Statesmen have not occupied the nation's top ranking this long since the 2001 season.  DSU held the spot for six consecutive weeks before falling to then No. 4 Valdosta State 70-12 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium, while coach Roberts and the Statesmen have held the spot for four consecutive weeks.    

STATESMEN CLAIM 125th WIN AT PARKER FIELD-McCOOL STADIUM
Over the years, Parker Field-McCool Stadium has been a very successful place for the Statesmen and last Saturday, DSU claimed its 125th victory on the hallowed grounds with a 36-34 win over West Alabama .  

In its 41 year history, the Statesmen are 125-71-7, while DSU boasts an all-time record of 242-121-15 at home.  Coach Ron Roberts is 29-4 in his five seasons as DSU's head coach at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  

ALL OF THE LIGHTS
Delta State has enjoyed great success over the years in games televised regionally and nationally.  In the 21 games televised, the Statesmen are 16-5 all-time.    

The Statesmen are 3-0 on TV this season with DSU claiming back-to-back wins on GSC-TV Live with a 34-20 victory over Arkansas-Monticello at Parker Field-McCool Stadium and a 30-24 OT win at North Alabama.  The Statesmen also defeated Valdosta State 36-33 on ESPN3/ESPN GamePLAN.  
   
STATESMEN AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
Last Saturday's 36-34 win over then-No. 18 West Alabama pushed the Statesmen to 4-0 against ranked opponents this season.  DSU's 45-14 victory over then-No. 25 Ouachita Baptist marked the first contest against a ranked opponent this season on Saturday, Oct. 1.  

The Statesmen followed that up with a 30-24 OT victory at then-No. 1 North Alabama on Thursday, Oct. 13 inside Braly Municipal Stadium in front of 11,101 fans.  DSU downed then-No. 10 Valdosta State 36-33 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium back on Saturday, Oct. 22.  

Delta State is 14-6 against ranked opponents since coach Ron Roberts took over the program in 2007 and 4-0 this season.
    
LET'S KEEP STREAKING INTO NOVEMBER
The Statesmen bring their eight game winning streak into this week's game against West Georgia.  DSU was 4-0 in October after the 36-33 win over Valdosta State on Oct. 22 and started November off with a thrilling 36-34 GSC championship clinching victory over West Alabama on Nov. 5.      

The Statesmen close out the regular season this Saturday at University Stadium in Carrollton, Ga., versus the Wolves of UWG.  Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. EST.  

DSU is 125-117-5 in the month that brings us cornbread stuffing, turkey and Thanksgiving Day.

AROUND THE GSC
In final week of the Gulf South Conference schedule, the storylines and sidebars are too numerous to mention.  Postseason play is on the line and NCAA Region seeding could hinge on the outcome of this weekend's matchups.  

With the GSC title firmly in their grasp, the Statesmen will look to lock down Super Region II's No. 1 seed with the GSC regular season finale at West Georgia on Saturday.  The Statesmen are 17-7 all-time against the Wolves, including seven straight.  

The playoffs start a week early for the Lions of North Alabama (7-2, 1-2 GSC) and Blazers (6-3, 1-2 GSC) of Valdosta State, as two of the league's top teams battle for their postseason lives at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.    

The Lions and Blazers were both ranked in the top six in last week's NCAA Super Region II Poll.  Lose and you're likely out of the playoff picture.

Coming off a hard-fought loss at Delta State, West Alabama will step out of conference and up to NCAA Division I, as the Tigers host Georgia State.  

The complete GSC postseason picture will be clearer after Saturday's contests.  The NCAA officially announces the Division II Football Championship Field at 3 p.m. on ESPN News this Sunday.  

AROUND THE NATION
As we march into the final week of the regular season, only two games featuring ranked opponents dot the slate on Saturday.  No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney faces No. 20 Colorado School of Mines in a major in-region matchup for both schools.

No. 8 Kutztown looks to lock up the region's top spot with a contest against No. 24 Slippery Rock.  

NCAA TO ANNOUNCE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD SUNDAY
The NCAA will officially announce the 24-team field for the 2011 Division II Football Championship on Sunday, Nov. 13.  ESPN News will carry the announcement starting at 5 p.m. EST/4 p.m. CST.  

The Statesmen are seeking their fourth NCAA postseason appearance under head coach Ron Roberts and their second No. 1 ranking in Super Region II.  

Should DSU claim a victory on the road at West Georgia, the Statesmen would most likely receive a first round by on Saturday, Nov. 19.   

The NCAA Division II Football Championship will be played on campus sites until the National Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 17 in Florence, Ala., at Braly Municipal Stadium.  The game will be televised by ESPN2.  

JONES GRABS SECOND GSC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR
Delta State University junior punter Andrew Jones was named Gulf South Conference Special Teams Players of the Week for the second time in as many games after leading the Statesmen to a 36-34 victory over then-No. 18 West Alabama last Saturday.  

Jones, a 6-foot, 180-pound junior, helped to hold UWA to minus-six punt return yards, booming five balls for 222 yards and a 44.4 average.  The Corinth, Miss., native placed three punts inside the Tigers' 20-yard line and his longest kick went for 56 yards.  

With the game on the line, Jones drilled a punt inside the UWA 3-yard line to help seal the win.  He also connected on six kickoffs for 332 yards (55.3 average).

DAVIS NEARING 7,000 YARDS PASSING; TOPS 7K IN TOTAL OFFENSE
Senior Micah Davis is close to becoming just the second Statesman quarterback to top 7,000 career passing yards, needing just 56 yards this week at West Georgia to accomplish the feat. The Wesson, Miss., native has completed 573-of-893 passes for 6,944 yards with 52 TDs and 32 interceptions.  

Davis eclipsed the 7,000 total offense yardage mark with his 260-yard, three touchdown performance versus West Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.  He has amassed 7,252 total offense yards, which ranks second all-time, on 1,060 plays with 66 career TDs.  He averages 290.1 total offense and 277.8 passing yards per game in his Delta State career.  

Scott Eyster (2003-2006) holds the school's all-time record with 13,889 yards passing.  Davis ranks fourth all-time in total offense as well, posting 6,417 career total offense yards in just 22 career games.  

DELTA STATE LEADING THE CHARGE ON DEFENSE
The Statesmen enter Saturday's game with West Georgia ranked No. 1 in the Gulf South Conference in total defense (323.1) and pass defense (192.7).  DSU is second in rushing defense (130.4) and fourth in scoring defense (24.0).    In fact, the Statesmen are the only team in the GSC with a total defense below 350-yards per game.  Delta State has also sacked opposing quarterbacks a league-high 30 times for 197 yards, while picking off a GSC-high 16 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns.    

IN THE GREEN ZONE
Red means stop and Green means go, so naturally one would want to put the pedal to the metal when inside the opposition's 20-yard line.  The Statesmen have been outstanding this season inside the “Green Zone.”  DSU is 37-of-50 (74%) inside the Green Zone with 29 TDs and eight FGs.  The Statesmen have converted an amazing 35-of-44 trips inside the Green Zone since week one, including 18 of their last 23 trips.  

SET IT AT 500 & LET'S ROLL
Delta State enters week 11 leading the GSC in total offense at 464.4 yards per game.  In fact, the Statesmen rank in the top five in each of the major offensive statistical categories.  DSU is first in the league in scoring offense (34.0), second in pass offense (297.5) and fourth in rush offense (167.0) to West Alabama's league leading 227.2 yards per game.  A complete list of DSU's 500-yard plus performances is below.

OPPONENT    YARDS
North Alabama    512
Arkansas-Monticello    526
Ouachita Baptist    566
at Arkansas Tech    532
at Fort Valley State    567

DAVIS MAKING CASE FOR HARLON HILL TROPHY
Senior quarterback Micah Davis is making a case for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top NCAA Division II player.  The Wesson, Miss., native has completed 237-of-376 passes for 2,847 yards with 19 TDs and 13 INTs.  His 284.7 yards per game are second in the GSC, while his 296.3 yards per game in total offense lead the league.  

The former Copiah-Lincoln CC transfer tops the GSC charts in passing yardage (2,847), completions (237), attempts (376), TDs (19) and TDs responsible for (28).

Davis' numbers also have him in some elite company nationally.  He currently ranks 10th in total offense in NCAA DII and 36th in QB Efficiency (137.2).  His 286.1 yards passing per game stands 11th, while his 2,575 yards passing are 8th.  

Potentially the biggest stat on Davis' ledger would be fourth quarter comebacks.  The senior All-American has engineered four this season to put the Statesmen in contention for the GSC and NCAA titles.

DENNIS CLIMBS TO NINTH ON CAREER CHARTS
Chance Dennis, a Houston, Texas native and an All-American candidate, is making the most of his senior season, leading the Statesmen with a 58 receptions for 740 yards and six TDs.  

In 24 career games, Dennis has grabbed 110 passes for 1,547 yards and 10 touchdowns.  His five receptions versus West Alabama moved him into ninth place on the career top 10 on the DSU career receptions chart.

DOWNS PICKING UP PLAY AT RIGHT TIME
Lavon Downs, a 6-foot-2 junior wide receiver, finds a way each week to contribute to the success of the offense.  The Avon Park, Fla., native has really turned it on of late, scoring TDs in wins over Arkansas-Monticello and Valdosta State, a 62-yard scoring strike on the second play of the game.  

In the victory at then-No. 1 North Alabama, Downs had a team-high seven receptions for 66 yards, including five grabs on the 89-yard game-tying drive late in the fourth quater.  

He has grabbed 23 receptions for 372 yards and three TDs this season for the Statesmen.

Downs recorded a career best seven catch 77 yard performance in the 36-34 win over West Alabama.

A NIGHTMARE FOR ANY OFFENSE
Sophomore linebacker Ixavier Triplett continues to be a nightmare for opposing offenses this season, as the All-American candidate leads the Statesmen with 59 tackles and 10 tackles-for-loss.

The 2010 GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year has totaled 159 tackles in just 25 career games played.  

The former Scott Central HS star has also amassed 22 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and 10 pass break-ups.  

BALL HAWKS
The Statesmen secondary has been outstanding at times this season, ranking first in the GSC in interceptions (16) and pass defense (192.7 ypg).  Senior corners Dominqiue Davenport and Dwight Tillman, lead DSU with three INTs. Jerry Barnes and defensive lineman Anthony Daniels each have two interceptions. Fellow defensive backs Brett Butler, C.J. Lester and Montavious Hill have one each.  DSU linebackers and defensive tackles account for three additional INTs.  

TARGETS A PLENTY
Senior quarterback Micah Davis has to be one of the luckiest signal-callers in the country, as the Wesson native has connected with 19 different receivers this season.  Led by Chance Dennis (58) and Tim Smith (29), the Statesmen have two receivers ranked in the GSC top 10 in receptions per game. Even linemen have gotten into the fray with a TD grab by Mark Vukadinovic off a pass deflection.    

THEY CALL HIM THE HEARTBREAK KID
Junior running back Brant Botill, Jr. has made the most of his opportunities for the Statesmen this season.  The Corcoran, Calif., native has driven the stake in opposing teams' hearts this season, scoring game-winning touchdowns versus North Alabama in overtime and versus Valdosta State to cap an 18-play, 92-yard drive.  

Botill ranks third on the team with 302 yards rushing on 65 carries with four touchdowns.  He is also tied for fifth on the squad with 20 receptions for 118 yards.  

BIG BOYS LOVE THE ENDZONE
Senior transfer offensive lineman Mark Vukadinovic might have made the play of the season in DSU's 36-33 come-from-behind win over then-No. 10 Valdosta State last Saturday, hauling in a deflected Micah Davis pass and rumbling nine yards for a touchdown.  The score put the Statesmen up 29-27 with 9:54 to play in the contest.  

SMELLS LIKE TOUCHDOWNS TO ME
Micah Davis has an uncanny ability to smell the end zone.  The senior from Wesson, Miss., ranks second in the GSC with nine rushing touchdowns this season.  Davis is tops in the GSC in TDs responsible for with 28 (19 passing/9 rushing).

100 TACKLES CLUB
The vaunted Statesmen “Green Shirts” defense features five players in the 100 career tackles club.  Senior corner Dominique Davenport leads the trifecta with 161 career stops in 44 games, while senior linebacker Robert Hogan has tallied 164 in 45 starts. Oakland, Calif., native Jerry Barnes has racked up 112 tackles in only 25 career games in the green and white.  

Sophomore standout Ixavier Triplett has 159 in just 25 games and is on pace to challenge for the Delta State career record.  

Melvin Griffin recently joined the club with a six tackle effort versus West Alabama, giving him exactly 100 career stops. Mark Hoskins (91) should join the list soon.  

PICK-SIX, YES PLEASE
The Statesmen secondary has returned four interceptions for touchdowns this season, including Dominique Davenport's 39-yard INT return in DSU's 34-20 victory over UAM.   C.J. Lester returned an INT for a score a week earlier in DSU's 45-14 Pig Pickin' victory over Ouachita Baptist.  

Brett Butler made it three in a key 65-yard return for a score versus Valdosta State that spurred the Statesmen on to victory.

Dwight Tillman made it two straight games the Statesmen have scored on an interception return, as he raced 40 yards for a touchdown after intercepting a Kyle Caldwell pass versus UWA.  

DEAN SECOND ON CAREER PAT CHART
Matt Dean, a senior from Cleveland, connected on four point-after-attempts in DSU's 36-34 victory over West Alabama last week.  

The four PATs give the senior 95 for his career and rank him second place on the career charts.  Trey Crum (2003-2004) holds the school record with 110.  

GAMES PLAYED MOUNTING UP
The Statesmen feature a veteran-laden ball club with 20 players seeing action in at-least 19 games.  Senior linebacker Robert Hogan (45), running back Rafael Mitchell (44) and corner Dominique Davenport (44) lead the way with the most games played.  The 30+ Club is below.

PLAYER        GAMES
Robert Hogan        45
Dominique Davenport        44
Rafael Mitchell        44
Jacob Sesma        40
Kendall Hunter        37
Matt Dean        36

WALKS TALL AND CARRIES A BIG LEG
Junior punter Andrew Jones has been a major weapon for the Statesmen this season.  The Kossuth, Miss., native leads the GSC in punting, averaging 42.2 yards per punt.  Jones has boomed a league-high 10 punts over 50-yards.  He has punted 33 times this season for 1,394 yards with a long of 60 yards.

For his efforts, he has been named GSC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season, including this week's honor as he averaged 44.4 yards per punt versus West Alabama. His final punt of the evening was downed at the two yard line, which forced UWA to drive at least 70 yards to enter field goal territory.

DEAN'S A MOVING ON UP... CAREER SCORING CHARTS
Senior kicker Matt Dean has connected on 21 field goals and 95 extra points in his career, good enough for 158 points scored.  The Cleveland native has cracked the career scoring chart, ranking sixth in school history.