CLEVELAND, MISS- The Ouachita Tigers (3-1, 2-0 GAC), ranked #25 at the time, traveled to Cleveland, Mississippi for a match-up with former conference foe #6 Delta State on Saturday, marking the first Top-25 match-up by a GAC team in the short history of the conference. The Tigers went into the contest after a 39-33 nailbiter against Texas A&M-Commerce.

The Statesmen came out in the first half ready to play, as they struck first. Delta's first touchdown of the game came on a 41 yard pass from quarterback Micah Davis into the open arms of receiver Bill Franks, helping the Statesmen to a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers would answer before the end of the first quarter though, as junior quarterback Casey Cooper would hit Chris Rycraw with a pass, resulting in a 24 yard touchdown play and a 7-7 tie with Delta at the end of the first quarter.

As the second quarter began, the Tigers would fall behind again on a 43 yard field goal by Statesmen kicker Matt Dean. That kick would make the score 10-7. The Tigers would again answer though, taking their first lead of the game on a defensive play. Junior safety Dijon Benton picked off a Micah Davis pass and took it to the house, making it a 14-10 game after a converted PAT by junior kicker Jason Fowler.

Delta would take off after that Tiger score though, going on a 35-0 run and downing the Tigers by a final of 45-14.

Cooper would again lead the Tiger offense in total yardage for the fourth consecutive game, collecting a total of 132 yards, including a team-high 69 rushing yards and 63 passing yards. Junior receiver Peyton Tolliver hauled in three passes for a total of 25 yards while sophomore running back Chris Rycraw hauled in the lone touchdown pass of the game for the Tigers on a 24 yard completion.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers were led by junior linebacker Augustine Ume-Ezeoke, who collected 10 tackles in the game, including a tackle for loss and an interception. Benton also had a notable game, collecting eight tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and his interception that he returned for a touchdown.

The Tigers will look to rebound and potentially fight their way back into the Top-25 this weekend when they face off against #13 Valdosta State, who is also coming off of a loss this week. Kickoff for that game will be at 1 p.m. with homecoming festivities occuring throughout the day.

-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director