Statesmen to the 2000 Gulf South Conference and

2005 STATESMEN FOOTBALL
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Game 1 - Delta State at North Dakota
Alerus Center • Grand Forks, ND
August 28, 2004
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19 28
LATE RALLY FALLS SHORT AS STATESMEN FALL TO FIGHTING
SIOUX, 28-19
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The Delta State University Statesmen rallied
from a 21-3 deficit late in the second quarter to cut their deficit to 21-
19; but a pair of late interceptions dashed the Statesmen’s hopes of
rallying as they fell to the No. 2 North Dakota 28-19 in the season
opener at the Alerus Center.
The Statesmen started play with good field position, as Jeff Glas’
opening kickoff trickled out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Starting at
their own 35-yard line, the Statesmen marched downfield to the UND
8-yard line; setting up a 25-yard Trey Crum field goal. The good
fortune would seem to continue for the Statesmen; who recovered a
subsequent fumble by Adam Roland, but the Fighting Sioux would
take the ball back as Jason Snell fumbled on the next play to put the
ball back in Sioux hands on the DSU 27-yard line. Four plays and 1:25
later, the Sioux took a 7-3 lead on a 9-yard touchdown run by
Brandon Strouth.
North Dakota would continue their first-half offensive explosion,
marching downfield and scoring on their next two drives to take a
21-3 lead with 9:15 remaining in the first half.
Near the end of the first half, the Statesmen appeared to be in
trouble yet again, facing a third-and-13 situation. Scott Eyster picked
up 12 yards on third down and Steven Davis picked up the first down
on the next play. Eyster would complete three consecutive passes to
Radale Pearson, Robert Davis, and Ellis Debrow to lead the
Statesmen to a pair of first downs and Fighting Sioux territory. Facing
second down, Eyster broke off a 25-yard rush putting the Statesmen
at the UND 18. After the Sioux were called for holding, Eyster tossed
a 9-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Johnson to bring the Statesmen
to within 21-9.
The Statesmen forced two punts early in the third quarter, and
used a seven-play drive to set up a 47-yard field goal by Trey Crum,
setting the score at 21-12 with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter.
The Statesmen then stopped the Sioux on their next four drives, and
pulled to within two when Scott Eyster connected with Ellis Debrow
for a 56-yard touchdown pass with 5:18 remaining in the fourth
quarter.
The Sioux marched back into Statesmen territory on the next
drive, but John Bowenkamp’s third-down pass was intercepted by
Marcellus Speaks to give the Statesmen just under three minutes to
try and score. The Statesmen were helped by a key pass
interference penalty against the Fighting Sioux on the first play of the
drive to set up first-and-ten at midfield; and the Statesmen would
continue their forward march to the UND 33-yard line; where Eyster’s
second-down pass was intercepted by Josh Brandsted.
With 1:19 remaining, the Sioux hoped to run the clock down; but
the Statesmen defense forced the Sioux to punt and the Statesmen
had new life with under a minute to play. However, on the first play
of the next drive, Chad Blalack’s pass was intercepted by Digger
Anderson and returned 33 yards for a touchdown. Jeff Glas’ pointafter
attempt was good, and the Sioux would hold on for the 28-19
win.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 F
Delta State 3 6 3 7 19
North Dakota 14 0 7 7 28
2004 Season Review
Game 2 - Delta State at W. Alabama
Tiger Stadium • Livingston, Ala.
September 11, 2004
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STATESMEN SHOCK TIGERS, 59-7
LIVINGSTON, Ala. -The No. 16 ranked Delta State University
Statesmen won the Golden Anniversary meeting against the Tigers of
West Alabama 59-7 in the Gulf South Conference season opener for
both schools.
With the win the Statesmen improve to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the
GSC, while West Alabama falls to 0-3 overall, and 0-1 in the GSC.
On the day, the Statesmen racked up 421 yards of total offense. The
DSU ground attack gained 215 yards that was led by Jason Snell and
Radale Pearson. Snell rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns,
while Pearson scampered for 71 yards and three touchdowns.
The DSU offense compiled 206 yards through the air. Scott Eyster
was 16-of-21 for 193 yards on the day. Wide Receiver Ellis Debrow
lead all receivers with four catches for 91 yards.
The Statesmen sacked UWA’s quarterback four times for 35
yards, and caused three fumbles. Marcellus Speaks led the
Statesmen defense in tackles with nine.
The Statesmen struck the board first when Chad Ridley returned
the opening kickoff 95-yards for a touchdown. The next score was
be set up by UWA’s B.J. King. King fumbled the punt snap and DSU
recovered on the Tigers’ six yard line. The Statesmen ran two plays
before Pearson scored on a 2-yard scamper making the score 14-0.
Pearson scored again on another four-yard scamper with 4:58
left in the first quarter, increasing the Statesmen lead to 21-0. The
Tigers answered back on a 55-yard run by Marcus Ross making the
score 21-7. That was the only score UWA would have on the day.
The Statesmen put up three points off the foot of Trey Crum, who
booted a 47-yard field goal with 12:57 left in the half. UWA went
three and out on the next drive. The Statesmen capitalized again,
scoring four minutes later on a 9-yard touchdown run by Snell. The
Statesmen took a 31-7 lead heading into halftime.
UWA started the second half going three and out. The Statesmen
wasted no time scoring. Eight plays, 59-yards, and two minutes later,
Pearson scored on a one yard run that was set up by two pass
plays from Eyster to Spencer Johnson and Debrow. 38-7 score.
Ridley scored his second touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run
at the 3:36 mark in the third quarter capping off a 77-yard drive. With
Ridley’s score the Statesmen took a 45-7 lead.
DSU’s scored again on a 51-yard drive capped off by a five yard
run by Snell to make the score 52-7. The Statesmen final score came
off a 9-yard scamper by Seth Adams.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 F
Delta State 21 10 14 14 59
West Alabama 7 0 0 0 7
5 0 4 0
3 0
2 0 1 0 G