Tigerville – Saturday is the first of consecutive home games for the Crusaders who return home to host Delta State at 1 PM on Saturday.
North Greenville looks to rebound this week after falling to West Florida by a field goal. The Crusaders led midway through the fourth quarter but were outscored 24 – 8 in the final frame. The Argos melted the clock and kicked a 36 – yard field goal, narrowly escaping the upset minded NGU.
Delta State might be the hottest team in the Gulf South as the only undefeated team in the league. The Statesman have beaten a pair of nationally ranked teams including West Florida in an overtime thriller two weeks ago. Last weekend the 13
th ranked Blazers of Valdosta State were run out of Mississippi when DSU improved to 2 – 0 in league play with a 70 – 31 win.
- Series Record – Delta State leads the series with three wins compared to two for North Greenville.
- North Greenville has won two of the last three meetings.
- The first meeting between NGU and Delta State was in 2011 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Statesman edged NGU 28 – 23 in Cleveland, Mississippi.
- Last Meeting – North Greenville overtook the Statesman in double-overtime as Semaj Laken took it in from a yard out to make it 42 – 34.
- North Greenville's defense will face yet another high-powered offense this week that is averaging 46.8 – points per game.
- The Statesman have eclipsed 40 – points or more three times this season including a 58 – 34 win in week two.
- During these games DSU has averaged 196 – yards rushing and another 287 – yards through the air.
- Defensively the Crusaders have been able to force turnovers in the last three games. NGU defenders have picked off five passes since week three and recovered a pair of fumbles.
- North Greenville's offense could have a big day though as Delta States defense has allowing more than 28.6 per contest.
- Opponents have been able to put up big numbers against the Statesman who are giving up 210 yards rushing per game and 237 – yards passing.
- Two of those five interceptions mentioned above belong to Dantevian Byrd, one in each of the last two games including one returned for a score against Findlay in week four.
- Offensively Dylan Ramirez continues his standout freshman campaign. The first year signal caller is averaging 206 – yards throwing per game with eight touchdowns.
- The leading receiver in the Gulf South happens to be NGU's Doug Washington who has 485 yards this season and four touchdowns. He also has the longest touchdown reception of the season in the GSC at 97 – yards.
- De'Iveon Donald is currently the leading tackler in the GSC with 40 – stops this season. 21 of those tackles are solo including a sack.
- Patrick Shegog continues to light-up opposing defense through the air. The Delta State quarterback has been voted Offensive Player of the Week for the past two weeks. Shegog threw for 346 – yards and four scores last week. He also rushed for three scores on 65 – yards.
- Dohnte Meyers leads the Fighting Okra in receiving, catching 19 – balls for 437 – yards and five touchdowns.
