Div II Playoffs
Delta State 45, Shaw 7

November 17, 2007

CLEVELAND, MS —There are certain, undeniable signs during the course of a football game that can give you a definitive feeling things are going your way. Such examples might be your team is up 35-0 at the halftime break or the fact your defense has held your opponent to three yards rushing in the first quarter. Others might include the fact your offense accepted no less than a touchdown in its first four possessions.

The list could go on and on as Delta State (10-1) easily took a 45-7 lopsided victory over Shaw University (8-4) in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs Saturday.

With Saturday afternoon’s victory, the Statsmen advance to a second round match-up with a still perfect North Alabama (11-0). DSU will travel to Florence, Ala. for the noon or 1 p.m. (to be determined) kick-off at Braly Municipal Stadium. The Gulf South Conference rivals last meet Oct. 18 in a non-conference tilt that saw the Tigers hand the Statesmen their only loss of the 2007 campaign, 28-17.

In his first post season action as a collegiate head coach, Ron Roberts urged his charges to a quick start. The Statesmen offense answered the call, posting seven to the Travis E. Parker Field-Horace McCool Stadium scoreboard in just 24 seconds.

The two-play drive opened with starting quarterback Garrett Dewitt completing a 39-yard pass to Statesmen wide-out Jeremy Ricks. Junior wide-out Chad Schroeder hustled 35 yards to pay dirt for his third rushing score of the year.

After a solid, three-and-out hold from the Delta State defense, the Statesmen offense followed Ben Stallings to the endzone, as the sophomore running back muscled in from six-yards out for the score for his second TD of the year.

Stallings’ third score of the season would not be far behind, as on the Statemen’s ensuing possession, Delta State marched systematically and methodically 62 yards to take a decisive 21-0 lead with 7:51 left to play in the first quarter. Stallings capped the seven-play scoring drive with a three-yard touchdown poke.

The Bears offense failed to convert a first down on their next possession, setting up Delta State’s fourth consecutive touchdown of the quarter. This time, Dewitt peppered the football to alternating wide outs, Eric Marshall and Schroeder. The nine-play, 45-yard scoring drive was capped by Schroeder’s one-yard rush – his fourth of the year.

The Statesmen added one more score to its first half drudging of the Bears, taking the convincing 35-0 lead to the locker room at the halftime break. Dewitt connected for his first passing touchdown of the contest, finding a streaking Jermaine McRoy on a 14-yard strike.

Shaw shattered any hopes of a Statesmen shut-out, as Bears’ freshman tailback Raymond Williams sprinted 90-yards for Shaw’s sole score of the contest.

The Statesmen answered on a Steven Davis four-yard touchdown scamper. Adams booted a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to cap the afternoon’s scoring, 45-7.

Dewitt finished his day with 349 yards behind a 25-of-35 passing performance. Marshall hauled in 145 yards receiving, followed by Schroeder’s 94 yard effort. Schroeder would also add a team-leading 49 yards rushing for 143 all-purpose yards. Stallings concluded his rushing day with 44 earned yards.

The list of defensive stand-outs most absolutely begins with Statesmen All-American performer, Michael Eubanks. Eubanks finally caught the record he has been chasing the entire 2007 campaign, as with just four minutes left in the contest, the Cleveland native wrapped up the Bears quarterback for the fifth time today – earning sole possession of the NCAA Division II career sack record with 39.

Eubanks and teammate Lardester Hicks both finished the day with eights tackles, while Monterio James added six tackles.

Delta State held the Bears to just 85 yards rushing on the day.

Shaw University ends its season 8-4.