Delta State Hosts Shorter in Non-Conference Football Game Saturday
Delta State University hosts Shorter University in a non-conference football game Saturday at Travis E. Parker Field at Horace McCool Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central Time, marking the 12th meeting between the programs, according to the university.
The Statesmen are coming off a bye week after defeating Mississippi Valley State University 21-6 on Sept. 19 in Itta Bena. Shorter earned its first conference win last weekend with a 31-24 victory over Erskine in Due West, South Carolina.
Michael Gross will call the game on 107.5 FM WMJW, the Statesmen Sports Network, and Flo College Digital Network. Delta State’s head coach, David Dean, is in his first season leading the team. Hired on Feb. 6, 2026, Dean has more than 35 years of coaching experience, including over two decades as a head coach. His career record stands at 128-50, with three NCAA Division II national championships and seven Gulf South Conference titles.
Dean previously coached at West Georgia from 2017 to 2023, where he led the Wolves to a 48-20 record. His teams reached the NCAA Division II playoffs three times during that period. He also served as head coach at Valdosta State University from 2007 to 2015, winning national titles in 2007 and 2012 and earning AFCA National Coach of the Year honors twice.
Shorter’s head coach, Zach Morrison, is in his eighth season. Morrison, a Georgia native, played at Shorter from 2005 to 2008 and has emphasized building a Christ-centered program. He previously coached at the high school level in Georgia and earned numerous accolades as a player, including All-American honors and a conference championship.
This Saturday’s game marks the sixth time Delta State will face a Conference Carolinas team, which started sponsoring football in 2025. The Statesmen have a 4-1 record against these teams in the 2025 season and are 1-1 in matchups with teams from Georgia, including their recent 56-20 win over Shorter in 2023.
Delta State holds a 55-37-1 record against Georgia schools in its history. The program’s overall record is 514-420-23 in its 95th season, with a home record of 174-98-8 at Travis E. Parker Field. The Hawks have struggled on the road recently, with a 6-44 record over the last 50 away games, but they snapped a losing streak with a win over Erskine last weekend.
In last year’s game, Delta State defeated Shorter 56-20. The Statesmen are currently 1-3 this season after their win over Mississippi Valley State. They used a strong second-half performance to pull away in that game, with key plays including a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and a passing touchdown from Emile Picarella to Lawrence Armstrong.
Source: Original Article
