Billy Dorgan, Jr. Student-Per Billy Dorgan, Jr. Delta State University student-athletes can now be the best they can be in the classroom and on the field. The Billy Dorgan, Jr., Student Performance Center became a reality thanks to a $1 million donation by Billy and Patty Dorgan, Sr., in the spring of 2002. The Dorgans’ great generosity was due in large part to Billy Dorgan, Jr.’s great academic and athletic experience at Delta State University from 1999–2000. The state-of-the-art complex totals 15,605 square feet. A free- weight area, a general excercise area, and storage make up the first floor of the center. Two academic labs, a conference room, coaches’ and athletic director’s offices are on the second floor. The Dorgan Center was completed on February 18, 2005 and is currently online and in use by all 13 DSU athletic programs. Billy Dorgan, Jr., was a standout place kicker for the Delta State University football program from 1999–2000. He helped the Statesmen to the 2000 Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II National Championships. He owns the DSU and GSC formance Cent record for point-after-touchdowns kicked in a season record with 71 in 2000. He ranks third on the single-season scoring list with 109 points, and his 128 career points scored is 11th on DSU’s all-time list. He kicked 81 career PATs, ranking him second on the career PATs list. Dorgan, Jr., set the DSU record for field goals made in a season with 13, but none were more important than the game winner that beat Southern Arkansas, 30-28, in 2000. The Statesmen trailed 28-27 in the final minutes. DSU’s final drive stalled at the SAU 36-yard line. Dorgan kicked a 43-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining to keep the Statesmen undefeated at 7-0. er “Where Champions Play” 2005 Table of Contents The Coaches The Players History & Records 2004 Review 2005 Opponents This is DSU Follow the Statesmen Page 10 Page 19 Page 40 Page 61 Page 69 Page 76 Page 84 Media Info... 2004 Review... Media and Visitor Information ............... 2 North Dakota....................................... 62 Quick Facts ............................................ 3 West Alabama .................................... 62 Athletic Media Relations ........................ 3 North Alabama .................................... 63 Henderson State................................. 63 Season Preview... Valdosta State ..................................... 64 Arkansas Tech .................................... 64 Season Preview .................................... 5 Central Arkansas ................................ 65 Numerical Roster ................................... 8 Harding ............................................... 65 Pre-Season Depth Chart ........................ 9 Ouachita Baptist ................................. 66 UA-Monticello ...................................... 66 The Coaches... 2004 Final Statistics ........................... 67 2004 Final Statistics ........................... 68 Rick Rhoades, Head Coach ............... 11 Mike Bloomgren, OF Coordinator ...... 13 Ron Roberts, DF Coordinator ............ 14 2005 Opponents... J.D. Davis, Secondary ........................ 15 Pittsburg State .................................... 70 Mike Kershaw, Wide Receivers .......... 15 Texas State.......................................... 70 Randy Grierson, Defensive Line ..........16 West Alabama .................................... 71 Billy Knight, Graduate Assistant ........... 16 North Alabama .................................... 71 Jerry Mack, Running Backs ................. 17 Henderson State................................. 72 Dustin Franks, Graduate Asst. ............. 17 Valdosta State ..................................... 72 Aaron Acree, Graduate Assistant ........17 Arkansas Tech .................................... 73 Bennie McNeill, Dir. FB Operations .....18 Central Arkansas ................................ 73 Eric Wright, Head Manager .................. 18 Harding ............................................... 74 2005 Season Preview Support Staff ........................................ 18 Ouachita Baptist ................................. 74 Page 4 Arkansas-Monticello ........................... 75 Meet the Statesmen... Opponent Sports Info. Directors ......... 75 2005 Credits... Scott Eyster ......................................... 20 This is Delta State... The 2005 edition of the Delta State 2005 Seniors ...................................... 22 University Football Media Guide is Juniors-Freshmen ................................ 26 Dr. John Hilpert, President ................. 77 published by the Athletic Media 2005 Signees ....................................... 39 Dr. Brad Teague, A.D. .......................... 78 Relations Office, a division of the Athletic Administration ........................ 78 Delta State Athletic Department. The Athletic Training/Sports Medicine ....... 79 guide was written and edited by Matt History & Records... DSU Sports Hall of Fame ................... 80 Jones and Rori E. Herbison. Dorgan Student Performance Center 81 Individual Records.............................. 41 Editorial assistance was provided by This is DSU ........................................ 82 Game•Season•Career ....................... 42 Matt Brannan, Chimere Turner, Game•Season•Career ....................... 43 Marks Elder, Chris Reed and Jeffrey Team Records .................................... 44 GSC & Follow DSU... Farris. Cover artwork and design by All-Americans ..................................... 45 Kelly Press, Inc., Columbia, Mo. Charles Conerly Trophy ..................... 46 Gulf South Conference ....................... 84 Photography provided by Bill Moses Honors ................................................ 47 GSC Composite Schedule ................. 85 (DSU Staff), Taylor Wilson (Go Green All-Time Lettermen ............................. 48 Travel with the Green & White ............ 86 Magazine), Andy Collier (Bolivar All-Time Results ................................. 52 Wilson/Russell Athletic Ads ................ 87 Commercial), Jason Patterson Through the Years .............................. 56 Statesmen Sports Network ................. 88 (Bolivar Commercial), Ray Bridges 1954 & 1959 Teams ........................... 58 (DSU Staff), Jeff Montgomery and 2000 NCAA Championship ................ 59 Wally Jarret. The guide was printed by Kelly Press, Inc. of Columbia, Mo. G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 1 2005 STATESMEN FOOTBALL Media Information General Information Covering the Statesmen The 2005 edition of the Delta State University Statesmen Football Media Guide was written, edited and published by the DSU Athletic Media Newspapers Relations Office for use by the news media. Bolivar Commercial • Jason Patterson • 843-4241 Cleveland News Leader • David Johnson • 588-2713 Delta Democrat Times • Ivy Murrell • 378-0722 Football Media Contacts Clarion-Ledger • Mike Christenson • (877) 850-5338 The media coordinator for the Statesmen football team is Director of The Delta Statement • 846-4715 • [Daniel Hawthorne] Athletic Media Relations Matt Jones. He will be assisted by Media Relations Graduate Assistant Chimere Turner. Television WXVT • Steven Robinson • 334-1500 Weekly Media Services WABG • Scott Vlahon • 898-0968 The Athletic Media Relations Office produces a weekly release featuring WJTV • Sports Anchor • 346-1029 game notes, updated statistics, and other pertinent information on the WLBT • Sports Anchor • 960-4484 Statesmen football program. To access this release, please log on to WTVA • Sports Anchor • 800-264-9882 www.gostatesmen.com and click on football. Each week’s release will be WCBI • Sports Anchor • 245-0133 located on the right side of the web page. The PDF formatted document is posted every Monday by noon. Radio WMJW 107.5 FM • 846-4092 Press Credentials Magazines Requests for credentials for working press, photographers, television and Go Green Magazine • 588-2713 radio should be made to Matt Jones, Director of Athletic Media Relations. Credentials will be available at the Media Will Call gate located on the west side of Travis E. Parker Field. Credentials should be requested at All number located with (662) area code, unless noted. least seven days in advance of the game. No credentials will be mailed. If there is a special circumstance regarding one or more of the games, Coaches Interviews please contact the Athletic Media Relations Office. Coach Rick Rhoades hosts a weekly press conference on Monday’s at 12 p.m. in the conference room of the Billy Dorgan Jr. Student Gameday Services Performance Center. Rick Rhoades and his staff are also available for Members of the working media will be providied the following at Travis E. interviews weekday mornings between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. in their Parker Field: game notes package, game program, complete statistics, offices. Members of the staff will also conduct interviews after the and the opportunity to interview both coaches at the conclusion of the conclusion of practice each day. Please contact the Athletic Media game. The final stat pack will be avilable 20 minutes after the game. Relations Office to schedule an interview outside of this time. No interviews will be granted before a game. Radio and Television Radio stations planning to originate a braodcast(s) from Travis E. Parker Practice Field should contact the Director of Athletic Media Relations at least one The Delta State University Statesmen have three facilities in which they week prior to the planned broadcast. Courtsey lines are