Cleveland, MS – North Greenville football chalked up the program’s first-ever Gulf South Conference win on Saturday with a road win over Delta State, using a season-high in points and total offense to down the Statesmen.

The Basics

• Location: Delta State University [Cleveland, Mississippi]
• Score: Crusaders – 33 | Statesmen – 20
• Records: North Greenville 2 – 1 [1 – 0] | Delta State 0 – 4 [0 – 2]

Quick Facts

• The win over Delta State on Saturday night was North Greenville’s first win over the Statesmen in three tries. The Crusaders lost to DSU in the quarterfinals in 2011 and in Tigerville last season.
• It was a week late, but the Crusaders are officially in the Gulf South record books with the program’s first official conference win.

How it Happened

• NGU fell behind early after a pair of scoring drives from the Statesmen made it 10 – 0 with 6:32 left on the first quarter clock.
• The Crusaders got on the board on the team’s second offensive possession when Will Hunter found Dimajiay Rooks for a 61 – yard strike which made it 10 – 7.
• The Crusaders got some help on the ensuing kickoff when Kendall Brooks recovered a DSU fumble. Hunter and Lucas Catalfomo turned the extra possession into points as NGU went up 14 – 10.
• A second-quarter field goal for NGU would be the only score of the second frame as the Crusaders carried a 17 – 10 lead to intermission.
• North Greenville’s first drive of the third quarter came up empty but the defense would come through with the unit’s first score of the season when Azende Dixon picked off a Statesmen pass and took it back 24 – yards for a score to extend NGU’s lead to 24 – 10.
• The Statesmen would answer with a field goal but North Greenville’s offense continued to thrive in its best performance of the year thus far. Hunter continued his big night as he threw for his third score of the night finding Matthew Martin from 17 – yards away as NGU went up 30 – 13.
• Matt Gravely would tack on a field goal from 36 – yards out to open up the fourth quarter but NGU’s defense would take over in the final 10:26 left on the clock.
• The Statesmen would answer North Greenville’s final three points with a touchdown to make it 33 – 20 with plenty of time left on the clock.
• The Statesmen took their next drive inside the North Greenville red-zone but the NGU defense held, capping a stand inside the 10 – yard line with a Desmond Williams Sack with 2:51 left.
• Delta State would get one more shot, once again marching inside the NGU five-yard line but the defense would once again force a turnover on downs to earn the team’s first win.

Inside the North Greenville Box Score

• The Crusaders put a season-high in points and yardage, racking up 383 – yards, 304 of which was through the air.
• Will Hunter led the passing game going 15 – 26 for 304 – yards and three touchdowns.
• Lucas Catalfomo led the team in receptions with four and a touchdown while Demajiay Rooks led all players with 99 – yards on three catches. Rooks and Matthew Martin both had a TD. Martin finished with 70 receiving yards.
• Azende’ Dixon and Eddie Martin both had interceptions for the Crusaders on defense while Desmond Williams forced a fumble which Kendall Brooks recovered.
• The Crusaders had four sacks on defense led by Dominique Hunt who had 1.5. Desmond Williams and Zeke Stringer also had a sack while Brandon Burger accounted for a half.

Next Time Out

• North Greenville returns home to host #23 West Alabama on September 29th with a kickoff on ESPN3 slated for 7 PM.