Box Score
CLEVELAND, MISS. – Delta State scored two first quarter touchdowns off Harding turnovers and defeated the Bisons 27-7 in Gulf South Conference action at Travis E. Parker Field, Saturday.
Delta State improved to 5-4 overall and 4-3 in the GSC and moved to 8-0-1 all-time against Harding. The Bisons fell to 4-5 overall and 2-5 in conference play. Harding needs to win each of its final two games to achieve consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1993-94.
DSU quarterback Scott Eyster threw the first of two 45-yard touchdown passes to Robert Davis two plays after the Statesmen recovered a Blake Smith fumble. On their next possession, Eyster again hit Davis for his second score. On Harding’s next play from scrimmage, Nile Legania picked off a pass from David Knighton and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown and a quick 21-0 Delta State lead.
The Statesmen added a 44-yard field goal from Bryan Walker in the second quarter to build a 24-0 halftime lead.
Harding’s only score came with 2:20 left in the third quarter. Adam Lybrand ran it in from three yards out to culminate a 7-play, 40-yard drive that came following a Travis DeSisso fumble recovery. It was Lybrand’s fourth rushing touchdown of the season.
Walker added his second field goal of the game, a 47-yarder with 9:11 left in the game.
Sophomore David Knighton earned his first start at quarterback for the Bisons and completed 20-of-35 passes for 158 yards with two interceptions. Senior tight end David Feliciano tied his career high with eight receptions and had 99 yards.
Eyster finished 16-of-28 for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Davis caught both touchdowns and had four receptions for 154 yards.
Delta State entered the game averaging a GSC-best 406 yards of total offense per game. The Statesmen rolled up 230 yards in the first half, but the Bison defense limited them to 77 yards in the second half.
Senior defensive back Travis DeSisso led the Harding defense with seven tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Harding managed only 207 yards of total offense, including a season-low 50 yards on the ground.
The Bisons return home next Saturday for Homecoming at First Security Field. Harding takes on Arkansas Tech with a 2 p.m. kickoff.
