SETTING THE SCENE
The top-ranked Blazers for win number 21-straight as they head West to Cleveland, Miss., for a matchup with the Statesmen of Delta State.  Game time is set for 7 p.m. ET Saturday evening at Parker Field at McCool Stadium.  Valdosta State (5-0, 3-0 GSC) enters with the nation's longest winning streak at 20-straight games dating back to 2017, while Delta State is 3-2 and 2-1 in conference play after a road loss at West Florida last weekend.  The Blazers are going for win number 300 in program history this weekend as the team is 299-126-4 (.702). 
 
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BLAZERS
VSU jumped out on Mississippi College just 47 seconds into the game on a 54-yard run from sophomore Jamar Thompkins and then scored on a 50-yard double reverse to sophomore Kyler Crosby later in the quarter for a 14-0 lead as the Blazers had just three offensive plays and scored two touchdowns.   VSU held a 21-10 lead at halftime as Thompkins had two rushing scores in the first half.  The Blazer "D" was strong throughout against the talented MC triple option offense, holding the Choctaws to just 253 yards for the game (229 rushing) and 3 of 13 on third down.  Conversely, VSU put up 405 yards with 214 on the ground and 191 through the air as junior quarterback Rogan Wells tossed three touchdown passes in the game on 19 of 24 passing.  Junior Stephon Williams blocked one of MC's seven punts in the game setting up the Blazers' third score from the MC three-yard line.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES WITH DELTA STATE
The Statesmen lead the all-time series 20-17-1, but VSU has won four of the last five, including a 59-28 win in Valdosta last season.  The teams were tied 28-28 at halftime, but the Blazers outscored DSU 31-0 in the second half for the win.  DSU leads the series 10-9-1 in Cleveland, Miss., but the Blazers have won the last two on the road, including 34-13 win in 2017 and a double overtime victory in 2015.    
 
ON THIS DATE
The Blazers are 3-2 all-time on October 12, and also played their last game on this date at Delta State in a 35-28 loss on Oct. 12, 2006.  VSU is 2-1 on the road on this date and 1-1 at home.  The Blazers have outscored the opposition 148-93 on Oct. 12.  
 
STREAKS
The Valdosta State 20-game winning streak is the second longest in GSC history behind North Alabama's streak of 23-straight wins in 1994-95.  The Blazers' 16-straight wins during the regular season in the fourth-longest in conference history as VSU has the longest at 35 wins during regular season play from 2000-2003.  Nationally speaking, VSU's current 20-game winning streak is the longest in Division II and tied for the second-longest winning streak in all of NCAA football with Clemson.  North Dakota State leads the NCAA with a 26-game winning streak.  
 
HOW TO CATCH THE GAME
The game will be broadcast on 92.1 WDDQ in Valdosta with Spencer Van Horn and Wade Beale having the call.  Fans can access links to live stats and audio/video streaming of the game game at vstateblazers.com on the football schedule page.  Keep in mind the cost to stream the game via Delta State is $8.  
 
THOMPKINS TABBED STEEL'S JEWELRY BLAZER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Following his 149-yard rushing and a career-high three rushing touchdown performance on Saturday, VSU sophomore running back Jamar Thompkins was named the Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athlete of the of the Week.  This is the first time he's been honored this seaosn for it and is the fourth Blazer football player to be named Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athlete of the Week.
 
LAST TIME THEY MET
The Blazers won the previous meeting with Delta State last season, 59-28 on Oct. 6, in Valdosta.  The teams matched score-for-score in the first half for a 28-28 tie marking the only tie at halftime all season in 2018.  In the second half, the Blazers outscored DSU 31-0 en route to the victory for a 6-0 start.  VSU held a 547-434 advantage in total yardage and went 20 of 35 passing, while rushing for 148 yards.  DSU had 208 yards on the ground and 226 passing.  VSU quarterback Rogan Wells passed for 364 yards on 18 of 32 and had four touchdowns passing, while rushing for two scores.  Lio'undre Gallimore had 194 yards receiving on five carries as five different Blazers (four of whom are returning this season) had touchdown receptions in the game.  
 
DEFENSE STANDS TALL 
The VSU defense held Mississippi College to a season-low 24 yards passing last week and only 253 yards for the game as it mared the fourth time this season the Blazers have held the opposition to under 300 total yards and the third time holding the opponents to under 100 yards passing.  VSU also held MC to just 3 of 13 on third down for the game
 
WITH THE BLOCK
Not only did the defense shine against Mississippi College, but also the special teams as junior Stephon Williams had a punt block setting the Blazers up at the MC three-yard line in the second quarter.  It was the first punt block of the season for the Blazers and the first of Williams' career.
 
QUICK BLAZERS
This season, the Blazers have been able to have long sustained drives and also play very fast offensively.  Against Mississippi College, the Blazers took a 21-7 lead with four minutes left in the second quarter as on the three touchdown drives to that point, VSU used just four plays, scoring the three touchdowns.  
 
CROSBY ON THE DOUBLE REVERSE 
Redshirt freshman Kyler Crosby caught his first career touchdown pass for 50 yards on a nifty double reverse play by the Blazers last Saturday.  Crosby was wide-open down field as Wells snapped the ball and handed it to sophomore Seth McGill when flipped to junior Brian Saunds who then pitched it back to Wells for the strike.  
 
TWO OVER 100 
Coupled with the outstanding ground game at Shorter, VSU sophomores Jamar Thompkins and Ivory Durham each rushed over 100 yards in the game.  Thompkins had a season-high 150 yards on 12 carries for a 12.5 average per carry and one touchdown.  He scored a 65-yarder in the game for his season-best rush.  Durham had a career-best 114 yards on the ground on 10 carries.  Durham had a previous career-best of 113 yards on the ground against Shorter last season.  Saturday marked the first time since Austin Scott and Jake Medlock each had over 100 yards on the ground in 2014 against North Alabama.
 
STRONG IN THE SECOND HALF
This season, the Blazers have outscored the opposition 92-34 in the second half and have held the opponents scoreless in the final half twice, including Sept. 28 at Shorter and Albany State in the season-opener Sept. 7.    The Blazers have scored 216 points for the season and average 43.2 points per game for 12th nationally and first in the league.  Conversely, VSU is 17th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 15.0 points per game for second in the GSC behind West Florida at 11.3 points allowed per game.
 
PLAYING WITH THE LEAD
The Blazers have not trailed a single second in all five games thus far this season.  VSU has led for 275:31 minutes of the possible 300 and played with a tied score for 24 minutes and 29 seconds.  VSU and Truman State are the only teams in Division II who haven't trailed at all this season.  
 
NO INTERCEPTIONS 
VSU is one three teams in NCAA Division II not having an interception thus far this season, along with Gulf South Conference member Mississippi College.  VSU has attempted 146 passes this season and has not thrown an interception since Nov. 3, 2018, at West Florida, as the Blazers have gone 292 passes attempts without an interception dating back to last season.  VSU is second nationally in completion percentage this season at .753 on 110 of 146, while junior quarterback Rogan Wells also is second nationally at a .783 clip on 94 of 120.  
 
EFFICIENT BLAZERS 
The Blazers are ninth nationally in passing efficiency at 172.77 for first in the GSC, while holding teams to a 99.42 clip for 24th nationally and first in the league.  Wells leads the GSC and is eighth nationally in passing efficiency at 173.5.  
 
GOOD ON THIRD
The Blazers have been better than 45 percent in each game this season on the pivotal down and are 30 of 54 for the season for a 56.0 clip, ranking seventh nationally and first in the GSC.  VSU is holding teams to 21 of 62 on third down for a 34.0 average.
 
GETTING THE FIRST
The Blazers are seventh nationally in first downs with 126 for first in the GSC, while the Blazers are holding teams to 73 first downs for 20th nationally and second in the GSC.  
 
FROM AIR AND GROUND 
Along with the strong start to the season on the ground, the Blazers also have been solid through the air this season as they are fourth in the GSC in passing offense at 244.4 yards per game.  Wells is 51st nationally and fourth in the league in passing yards (1,006), while ranking fourth in the conference in passing yards per game at 201.2.    
 
CARRYING THE LOAD
Sophomore running back Jamar Thompkins leads the nation in rush yards per carry at 9.3, while ranking 20th nationally in rushing touchdowns (6), 15th in rushing yards (521) for first in the GSC and 17th in rushing yards per game, averaging 104.2 for first in the GSC.  Thompkins also is 28th nationally in all-purpose yards at 138.2 for first in the conference.  He is 36th nationally in scoring at 8.4 points per game for third in the GSC.  
 
STRONG TOTALS
The Blazers are fifth nationally in total offense at 516.2 yards per game, while ranking seventh in total defense, holding teams to just 239.6 yards per game.   Wells is 33rd nationally and second in the league in total offense at 248.2 yards per game.        
 
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
The Blazers recorded three interceptions and five total turnovers of West Alabama on Sept. 21, leading to a 17-7 lead in points off turnovers.  Sophomore Aaron Dawson had the first defensive touchdown for the Blazers this season with an 80-yard pick-six, while junior Cory Roberts and senior Stanley Dye also had interceptions.  This season, the Blazers have five interceptions through four games for 40th nationally and second in the GSC.  VSU has a 31-7 lead in points off turnovers for the season.
 
HOLDING ONTO THE BALL
Along with not throwing an interception all season, VSU has turned the ball over just five times this season on five fumbles for 13th nationally and first in the league.  VSU has gained eight turnovers for second in the league and has a turnover margin of 0.60 for 38th nationally and second in the conference.
 
RANKED GAMES AGAINST DELTA STATE
VSU has had its struggles in ranked matchups with Delta State as the Blazers are 3-7 all-time when the Blazers have been ranked.  VSU is 2-4 when it has been ranked in games played in Cleveland, Miss.  The Blazers also are 0-2 when ranked No. 1 nationally and playing DSU, as the Statesmen last upset the top-ranked Blazers 27-24 in overtime on Oct. 2, 2008, in Valdosta.  DSU also won on Nov. 2, 1996, in Cleveland, Miss., 34-28 when the Blazers were ranked first.  That was the only previous time VSU has been ranked and DSU hasn't been in the history of the series.  
 
NO SHUTOUT
VSU leads all of NCAA Division II in the most games without being shutout at 333 games.  The Blazers last were blanked on Sept. 14 1991, in a 12-0 loss at Central Florida.  VSU has been shutout just five times in the history of the program in 427 games.   
 
FIVE THINGS A VICTORY OVER DELTA STATE WOULD  . . .

• Give VSU a 6-0 record to start the season for the seventh time in program history
• Continue the longest winning streak in school history and currently in NCAA Division II (21 games)
• Give VSU a 4-2 record all-time on Oct. 12
• Give VSU a 25-6 record as the top-ranked team in the country
• Be the 300th win all-time in program history and the 196th in GSC history