Statesmen to the 2000 Gulf South Conference and

2004 Season Review
Game 3 - N. Alabama at Delta State
Parker Field • Cleveland
September 18, 2004
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21 28
STATESMEN TAME THE LIONS OF UNA,
WIN 28-21 IN HOME OPENER
CLEVELAND - The No.16 Delta State University Statesmen defeated
the No.4 Lions of North Alabama 28-21 in the Statesmen home
opener. This is the third straight victory for the Statesmen over the
Lions. With the win DSU improves to (2-1; 2-0 GSC), while UNA falls
to (2-1; 1-1 GSC).
DSU totaled 361 yards of offense. DSU’s quarterback Scott Eyster
was 20-of-35 for 235 yards and two touchdown passes.
The dynamic duo of Jason Snell and Radale Pearson led the
Statesmen ground attack. Snell gained 70 yards with two
touchdowns, while Pearson added 36.
The wide receiver corps for DSU was lead by Chad Ridley who
had five catches for 91 yards. Ellis Debrow grabbed eight for 81
yards with a touchdown.
The Statesmen defense was highlighted by three key
interceptions by Pete Golding, Will Taylor, and Rodney Curry. DSU’s
defense also forced three fumbles on the night.
DSU punter Bryan Walker had an impressive night punting six times
for a 30 yard average, but all six punts were inside the 20.
At halftime the Statesmen defense had held UNA’s potent offense
to only 20 yards. For the game, DSU held UNA over 100 yards less
than their seasonal average.
The Statesmen will face Henderson State University this Saturday
with a 6 p.m. kickoff. It will be “Patriotism Day” at Parker Field.
Veterans from all wars and troops currently abroad will be honored
at half time.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 F
North Alabama 0 0 7 14 21
Delta State 7 14 0 7 28
“Where Champions Play”
Game 4 - Henderson St. at DSU
Parker Field • Cleveland
September 25, 2004
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STATESMEN DOWN HSU 56-34
CLEVELAND - The No. 11 Delta State University Statesmen (3-1; 3-0)
scored 14 points in every quarter to defeat the option heavy offense
of Henderson State University (0-4; 0-3) 56-34.
The Statesmen picked up 27 first downs to HSU’s 23.
The Statesmen totaled 529 yards of total offense, with 299 on the
ground and 230 through the air.
DSU’s Radale Pearson led the Statesmen in rushing with 150
yards on 18 attempts with two touchdowns. Jason Snell rushed for
85 yards on 19 attempts also with a pair of touchdown scores.
Statesmen quarterback Scott Eyster went 14-of-24 while throwing
for 230 yards and one interception.
Leading the Statesmen in receiving was Ellis Debrow. Debrow
racked up 69 yards on six receptions with one touchdown.
DSU’s defense had a tough task defending the HSU option attack
who gained 392 yards on the ground. Reddies’ quarterback Blake
Christianson rushed for 151 yards on 23 attempts and reached the
end zone four times.
DSU’s Jeremy Weaver led the Statesmen with 11.5 tackles and
one fumble recovery. Pete Golding had an impressive night. Golding
had six tackles, two blocked kicks, a pass break up, and picked up
his second interception of the season.
Henderson State got on the board first in their opening drive going
66 yards on 11 plays. The scoring drive was capped off by 31-yard
scamper by Arthur Bennett. DSU answered back on defense by
Gary Bell, who recovered a fumble in the end zone to knot the score
at 7-7. The Statesmen offense scored at the 2:59 mark on a 23-yard
hook up from Eyster to Debrow to give the Statesmen a 14-7 lead.
In the second quarter, HSU tied the score at 14 on 68-yard drive
that was capped off by one of the four Christianson touchdowns on
the night. DSU put together two consecutive successful drives that
ended in touchdowns by Eyster and Snell increasing the Statesmen
lead to 28-14.
The Reddies answered back with two scores of their own off a
9-yard and 2-yard run by Christianson who tied the score at 28.
Delta State answered right back with a 31-yard run by Pearson to
give the Statesmen a 35-28 lead. DSU’s Chad Ridley scored next on a
18-yard reverse to give the Statesmen a 42-28 advantage in the third
quarter.
HSU’s Christenson scored his last touch down of the night on a 55yard
run to make the score 42-34 heading into the fourth quarter.
That would be all the scoring the Reddies would do as the Statesmen
defense closed the deal on a fourth quarter shut out.
Snell and Pearson added two more touch downs making the final
56-34. The Statesmen defense held off the Reddie offense unit on a
goal line stand to end the ball game.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 F
Henderson State 7 13 14 0 34
Delta State 14 14 14 14 56
G 1 0
2 0
3 0 4 0 5 0
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