UNA took on Delta State University(DSU) on Saturday, Sept. 21. It was the first Gulf South Conference (GSC) game of the year for both teams.

 DSU took the lead with a field goal on their first possession after UNA punted on their opening series. The Statesmen added 7 more in the first quarter when DSU quarterback Travis Champion connected with Casey Osbourne on an 84-yard touchdown pass.

 DSU led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.

 Poor tackling and a stalling offense hurt the Lions in the first quarter.

 “We didn’t move the football at all in the first quarter,” UNA Head Coach Bobby Wallace said. “We have to be ready to play better than that.”

 UNA’s Levi Fell blocked a punt which UNA recovered at DSU’s 4-yard line early in the second quarter. Two plays later, Chris Coffey ran into the end zone from one yard out for his second rushing touchdown of the season.

 On DSU’s next possession, Champion hooked up with Ricky Hunt for a 72-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-7. DSU capitalized again with a field goal a few possessions later after a fumble by running back Diamond Simmons.

 At halftime, DSU led UNA 20-7. The Statesmen totaled 341 yards of offense on 51 plays compared to UNA’s 47 yards on 30 plays. Champion threw for 304 yards with 2 touchdowns for DSU.

 Two huge defensive plays sparked a Lions comeback in the second half.

 UNA freshman cornerback Philbert Martial picked off a pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown on DSU’s first possession of the second half. Just over five minutes later, Brion James intercepted another DSU pass and returned it for a touchdown.

 A missed extra point by Michael Schuster tied it 20-20.

 Schuster’s inconsistency led to his replacement by sophomore kicker Will Craig. UNA’s kicking woes did not stop with the substitution though. Craig missed a 40-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter.

 “Missing field goals is disappointing but that’s been a problem we’ve had all year.” Wallace said. “We just have to work on [mechanics] and figure it out.”

 Both offenses exploded in the fourth quarter.

 On DSU’s first possession of the fourth quarter, the Statesmen drove 77 yards with Champion throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Osbourne to give DSU the 27-20 lead.

 The next two UNA possessions ended with two touchdown passes from Luke Wingo to Jason Smith. The two touchdown grabs gave UNA a 34-27 lead with 6:43 left in the game. Smith finished with five catches for 113 yards including those two touchdown receptions.

 DSU converted a fourth down conversion on the next possession, which ended with a game-tying touchdown catch by Osbourne – his third of the game.

 The DSU defense forced a punt on the ensuing UNA series and got the ball back on their own 43-yard line with 1:28 left. DSU drove into Lion territory and kicked the game-winning field goal with 9.9 seconds left, defeating UNA 37-34.

 “We got some turnovers and we produced some things on defense, but we couldn’t stop them when we had to,” Wallace said. “Those things we have to do a better job coaching.”

 DSU totaled 602 yards of offense on 101 plays to UNA’s 204 yards on 57 plays. The Statesmen defense also sacked Wingo five times, all in the second half. Gabe Poe led the Lions on defense with 21 tackles.

The Lions have a bye week this week and will travel to Shorter University on Oct. 5.