Lance Parker set a school record for passing attempts in a game, but it wasn’t enough as No. 9 Delta State powered its way past Ouachita 42-10 Saturday night at A.U. Williams Field in a Gulf South Conference game.
Parker was 19-of-42 in the air with a touchdown and two interceptions at the half and finished 27 of 57 for 315 yards.
But the key to Saturday night’s game was mistakes as the Tigers had five turnovers.
“There were way too many mistakes,” Tigers coach Todd Knight said. “When you are playing a great team like Delta State, and you do that (too many mistakes), you’re not giving yourself a good chance to win the ballgame.”
Delta State opened the scoring as Eric Marshall caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Dedrick Wilson with 3:30 remaining in the opening quarter. But Ouachita (3-1 overall, 1-1 GSC) answered with a 5-play, 74-yard drive as Parker connected with Julius Pruitt for 35 yards, tying the game at 7.
The Statesmen (3-0, 2-0) took the lead for good as Wilson sprinted down the left sideline for a 64-yard run with 9:59 left in the first half.
Zach Wright booted a 23-yard field with 6:40 remaining in the second quarter, cutting the Statesmen’s lead to 14-10. But on Delta State’s next drive, Chad Schroeder caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Wilson, giving the Statesmen a 21-10 lead with 5:52 left in the first half.
Ouachita had several chances to cut the deficit before halftime, but Monterio James recovered a Willie Hopson fumble at the Delta State 10, ending the scoring threat.
The Statesmen added to their lead with four seconds remaining in the third quarter as Brett Hyatt connected with Jeremy Ricks for 50 yards, giving Delta State a 28-10 lead.
Schroeder scored on a 9-yard run with 10:20 left and Brushon Barnes recovered a fumble in the end zone to account for the Delta State scoring.
Hopson, who tied a Gulf South Conference record last week with 42 carries, had 12 rushes for 73 yards. Tony Taylor led Ouachita Baptist in receiving with eight catches for 100 yards. Pruitt had 109 yards on four catches.
Defensively, Michael Blackwell had 11 tackles (seven solo) and a pass breakup. Cliff Gardner added 10 tackles, one forced fumble and two quarterback hurries.
The Tigers were in search of their best start since 1979 and will look to get back into the win column 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29 at Valdosta State University.
