Panthers Host Delta State Tonight At Pirate Stadium
By Matt Jones, Delta State Athletics // October 2, 2014
Kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Pirates Stadium
ABOVE VIDEO: Florida Tech head coach Steve Englehart talks about the Panthers’ game against Bethune-Cookman last Saturday In Daytona.
SpaceCoastDaily.com Will Provide On-the-Scene Video Updates and Social Media Coverage During the Game
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The No. 11 ranked Statesmen (3-0, 1-0 GSC) of Delta State University will travel 1,726 miles this Thursday, Oct. 2 to face the Panthers (3-1, 0-0 GSC) of the Florida Institute of Technology in the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week, presented by Florida’s Space Coast.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Pirates Stadium. Delta State and Florida Tech will be meeting for the second time in series history, as the Statesmen travel to Melbourne, Florida.
In the first matchup between the South Region foes, the Statesmen defeated the Panthers 52-31 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28 in last year’s Pig Pickin’ Classic.
The league’s top two passing quarterbacks statistically face off this week. DSU’s Tyler Sullivan enters the game leading the GSC with 320.0 yards passing per game, while FIT’s Mark Cato averages 244.0 per start.
Sullivan has completed 79-of-114 passes for 960 yards and eight touchdowns, while Cato, who has played in one more game this season than Sullivan, is 62-of-111 for 976 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Thursday’s game will be just the 10th against a team from Florida. The Statesmen are 4-5 all-time against the Sunshine state. DSU has faced Florida Tech (1-0), Florida State (0-1), and Tampa (3-4).
Delta State and Florida Tech will be meeting for the second time in series history, as the Statesmen travel to Melbourne, Florida, Thursday, Oct. 2 for the Gulf South Conference-TV Live Game of the Week.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EST at Palm Bay High School’s Pirate Stadium. In the first meeting between the South Region foes, the Statesmen defeated the Panthers 52-31 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28 in last year’s Pig Pickin’ Classic.
Both teams enter this year’s clash with high expectations and improved squads. FIT (3-1, 0-0 GSC) will be playing its first contest against a GSC opponent.
The Panthers defeated Stetson (FCS) 54-12 in the season-opener and followed that victory up with back-to-back wins over Ave Maria 42-6 and then-No. 14 Tarleton State 37-31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
FIT suffered its first loss of the season last Saturday, as Bethune-Cookman (FCS) edged the Panthers 34-33 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
FIT’s next three games are all against ranked GSC opponents. Following Thursday’s matchup with the Statesmen, the Panthers visit No. 17 West Alabama before hosting No. 6 North Alabama.
The league’s top two passing quarterbacks statistically face off in the second meeting between the schools. DSU’s Tyler Sullivan enters the game leading the GSC with 320.0 yards passing per game, while FIT’s Mark Cato averages 244.
Sullivan has completed 79-of-114 passes for 960 yards and eight touchdowns, while Cato, who has played in one more game this season than Sullivan, is 62-of-111 for 976 yards and 13 touchdowns.
A live radio broadcast of Thursday’s game will be available on the new Official Radio Partner of the Panthers, WFIT 89.5 FM, with Jerry Durney and Paul Van Scott calling the game. Season and individual game tickets remain for FIT’s four remaining home games. Tickets are available by calling 321-674-6228 or stopping by the Clemente Center Ticket Office Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
