Delta State Edges Florida Tech 30-28 in Shootout that Featured 872 Yards of Offense

There were eight lead changes in the contest

CLEVELAND, MISSISSIPPI – The Florida Tech Panthers had a 309-207 margin in passing yards, led by freshman quarterback Mike Dielello’s 17-for-29 performance with three touchdowns, but Delta State University senior kicker Taylor Crabtree accounted for 16 points and tied a school and Gulf South Conference record for field goals in a game to lead the Statesmen to a 30-28 win over Florida Tech at home on Saturday in the Gulf South Conference TV Game of the Week.

Crabtree went 5-for-5 on field goals (28, 24, 33, 31, 38) and added one extra point kick to his final totals. His five field goals also tied a GSC record.

There were eight lead changes in the contest and a combined total of 872 yards of offense.

The Statesmen (2-1, 1-0 GSC) outgained the Panthers (2-1, 0-1 GSC) 491-381 in total yards, highlighted by a 284-72 margin in rushing yards.

THE BASICS
Score: Delta State 30, Florida Tech 28
Records:  Statesmen (2-1, 1-0 GSC), Panthers (2-1, 0-1 GSC)
Location: Parker Field-McCool Stadium (Cleveland, MS) | Attendance: 6,665
Series: Statesmen lead 4-3

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Junior running back Deion Dampier recorded his first Statesmen touchdown on the first drive of the game, a 27-yard score to cap a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took just under four minutes. He started the game with a 13-yard rush on the first play from scrimmage.
• Panther quarterback Mike Diliello tied the game on the ensuing drive on a zone-read keeper for an 11-yard touchdown run, capping a six-play, 70-yard drive that used 2:38.
• Statesmen kicker Taylor Crabtree put DSU up 10-7 on the next drive on a 28-yard field goal to cap a six-play 64-yard drive that was aided by 46-yard rush by Kelon Wilson.
• Crabtree added another three points for the Statesmen with 12:03 left in the second quarter with a 24-yard field goal to cap a short scoring drive following a Panther fumble.
• The Panthers took their first lead of the game with 9:24 remaining in the second quarter on a nine-yard touchdown run by Daniel Richardson to cap a five-play, 67-yard drive.
• Crabtree nailed his third field goal of the first half, this time a 33-yarder, to put the Statesmen back on top 16-14 with 3:56 remaining before halftime. It was his fifth field goal of the season.
• FIT took a 21-16 lead early in the third quarter on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Mike Diliello to Miles Kelly.
• Crabtree nailed his fourth field goal of the game with 5:08 remaining in the third quarter, this time from 31 yards, to pull the Statesmen to within two points at 21-19.
• The Statesmen regained the lead with 2:12 remaining in the third on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Breck Ruddick to Leon Green. Deion Damper’s two-point conversion rush was successful to put DSU up 27-21.
• The lead changed for the seventh time with 11:40 left in the game when Panther quarterback Mike Diliello linked up with Damien McGhee for a 17-yard touchdown pass to cap a five-play, 75-yard drive.
• Crabtree tied the DSU and Gulf South Conference record with his fifth made field goal of the game with 8:15 remaining, this time from 38 yards out to put the Statesmen up 30-28.

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