ARKADELPHIA, AR- As the #25 Ouachita Tigers (3-0, 2-0 GAC)  look forward to what is sure to be a thrilling match-up with former conference rival #6 Delta State Statesmen (4-1) in Cleveland, Mississippi on Saturday, they are also gearing up for history. This battle of epic proportions will mark the first Top 25 match-up between a Great American Conference team and their opponent. The Tigers have moved into the top 25 for the first time since October of 2009, when they were ranked #20. 

Delta State currently leads the all-time series against the Tigers by a 17-4 margin, which dates back to 1937. The Tigers are looking for revenge after suffering a loss to Delta State last season by a final score of 33-27, which included a controversial call that negated a Tiger touchdown and dashed their playoff hopes.

Going into the game, the Tigers are led by junior quarterback Casey Cooper, who is entering the match-up after being named Great American Conference Offensive Player of the Week and has proven his capability to beat other teams through the air and on the ground so far this season. Cooper currently leads the Tigers in rushing with 337 yards on the season for a 112.3 yard per game average. He is also averaging 231 yards per game through the air, throwing for a total of 693 yards and four touchdowns so far this season, while only throwing one interception. Also helping the Tigers on offense this season have been junior running back Daniel McGee and sophomore running back Chris Rycraw. Both backs are averaging about 62 yards per game so far this year, with McGee reaching the endzone three times and Rycraw reaching the "promised land" as deemed by play-by-play commentator Rex Nelson a total of four times so far this season. Cooper's favorite target through the air has been junior receiver Brett Reece, who is currently averaging 105 yards per game this season. He has collected a total of 317 receiving yards as well as two touchdowns in just three contests.

The Tigers defensive unit has been pretty spectacular so far this season, forcing six turnovers so far this season and helping Ouachita to lead the turnover margin 6-1. The defense is led by senior linebacker Terrence Garrett, who currently has 19 tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss on the season. Not far behind him in total tackles is junior Dennis Stratton, who has collected 16 tackles so far this season and is tied with sophomore  Antwion Patterson for the team lead in sacks with three. Stratton also has a forced fumble. Junior safety Dijon Benton also follows closely to Garrett with 16 tackles of his own. Benton has also been credited with a pass break up and a forced fumble. The Tiger defense has been a burden to opposing running backs, only allowing 92 yards per game on the ground so far this season.

As the Tigers prepare for their match-up with the Statesmen, they are going to be paying close attention to the pass game, as Delta quarterback Micah Davis has thrown for almost 1500 yards this season and 11 touchdowns while throwing only five interceptions on 200 pass attempts. He is averaging 287.6 yards per game through the air in their five games so far this season and has been literally eating opposing defenses alive. Delta receiver Chance Dennis has put up some pretty gaudy numbers of his own so far this season, collecting 29 catches for a total of 392 yards and five touchdowns en route to averaging 78.4 yards per game. Davis does not focus only on Dennis though, as 16 players have caught passes for the Statesmen so far this season.

The Delta defense is full of ball hawking defensive backs, as they currently have six players who have helped the Statesmen by collecting seven interceptions. Delta is also a very good running defense team, as they have held opponents to 90.6 yards per game on the ground so far this season, meaning that Cooper may have to show off his arm a little bit more than he has had to so far this season. The Statesmen are currently led on defense by defensive back Dominique Davenport, who has collected 28 tackles this season to go along with two tackles for loss and four pass break ups. Ixavier Triplett has also been a playmaker for Delta, currently holding a total of 28 tackles as well to complement his 6.5 tackles for loss as well as a sack and an interception.

Kickoff for the game will occur at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Cleveland, Mississippi. The Tigers are looking to move to 4-0 and advance themselves further into the Top 25 rankings.

-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director