Delta State FB Ben Stallings

[Colonel_Reb]

This stud starred at a Mississippi Delta private school and offered a scholarship by DSU! He is starting at FB despite being white and a true freshman. DSU has had white RB's who played and started in the last 5 years, but not since 2002. This is good news to me, a DSU alum, especially from a Caste perspective. Here's a guy who is white and went to two small private schools in the Delta. I know for a fact that DSU has not recruited white private school players but very little over the last few years. This kid had generated a lot of talk from his Sophomore year playing for Bayou Academy. He transferred to Indianola Academy and played against bigger schools and tougher competition his junior and senior years. Also remarkable from a Caste perspective is the fact that this school (DSU), a traditionally white teacher's college, now has 41% black enrollment. It is predicted that within the next ten years it will become the first traditionally white public university in the US to become majority black, thanks mostly to white flight from the Delta, where most of DSU's students come from. The Statesmen are currently ranked 25th in the country in Division 2, and are in the toughest conference in the nation, the Gulf South Conference. With Senior QB Scott Eyster at the helm, DSU will have the best chance to make the playoffs this year than anytime in the foreseeable future. I'll try to keep you updated on these two players and DSU's progress throughout the season. They play 1-AA powerhouse Stephen F. Austin next week.

Ben had 1 rush for 4 yards and a 4 yard TD catch early in the Statesmen's lopsided 61-0 victory over WVTU. His were actually the first Delta State points of the season.
Edited by: Colonel_Reb

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Ben had 31 yards on 5 carries last night in a huge Delta State win at I-AA Stephen F. Austin.

 

[JonCurtis]

I think this is your guy Colonel. He was at Rivals National Junior Day at LSU in March 2005. 6 carries for 35 yards thats a good 5.84 yds a carry.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Thanks for the pics Jon! I have never seen him before, but knew he must be pretty big.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Ben had 8 runs for 47 yards in a 34-6 rout of Ouachita Baptist University last night in Cleveland. The game was delayed for quite a while because of a severe storm that rolled through Mississippi. The same storm delayed the Ole Miss game and the Texas game for a while.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Ben had 3 runs for 15 yards last night in a 22-0 beating of Southern Arkansas.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Ben had 10 rushes for 30 yards and a score opening TD to tie for the lead in running for DSU in the win over Arkansas Tech.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Delta State won the biggest game of the year Thursday night over Valdosta State. Ben Stallings had 3 runs for 1 yard and 1 catch for 3 yards. There wasn't much running in this game at all.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

The Statesmen and Ben Stallings play North Alabama at home in Cleveland. This is a huge game, even bigger than last week's against Valdosta. If Delta State wins this one, they should have a fairly easy coast into the playoffs. North Alabama is very highly ranked, but I look for them to tumble down after getting whipped this weekend! Go Statesmen!

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Well, North Alabama didn't get whipped, in fact they won, 17-10. Delta State fell to 9 in the South region poll, but should still make the playoffs if they win out. Ben Stallings had one carry for 3 yards.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

DSU beat West Georgia to go to 7-2. Ben Stallings had 4 runs for 24 yards. One was an important 14 yard run that extended a DSU drive that allowed them to extend their lead. They play at home against West Alabama next week.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

DSU, currently ranked 6th in the Southeast Region in Division 2, beat West Alabama 42-14 tonight, almost assuring themselves of a playoff spot barring a letdown next week. Ben Stallings had 4 carries for 6 yards and a TD. QB Scott Eyster went 22 of 34 for 285 yards and 3 TDs.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

The Statesmen beat the Boll Weevils 53-0 today to finish the season 9-2, and 7-1 in the Gulf South Conference. They are currently ranked 5 in the Southeast region poll and will make the playoffs for the first time since winning the D2 National Championship in 2000.

Ben Stallings had 2 TD runs of 1 yard each, and ended up with 5 runs for 8 yards. That gives him 45 carries for 157 yards and 4 TDs in his true freshman season, plus 2 catches for 7 yards and 2 TDs! That makes him the 3rd leading scorer on the team. Way to go Ben, you make MPSA football fans proud!

The NCAA will announce the parings for the D2 playoffs tomorrow at Noon on ESPN News.Edited by: Colonel_Reb

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Delta State beat Elizabeth City State in the first round of the D2 playoffs in North Carolina after being down 10-0 at halftime. Scott Eyster went 22 for 41 with 290 a TD, but 2 Int's. Eyster was named GSC offensive player of the year this week, after setting several GSC records this year and through his career. FB Ben Stallings had 5 runs for 12 yards.

Next week, the Statesmen go back to North Carolina to face the number one seeded and undefeated North Carolina Central.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

5th seed Southeast Region Delta State beat previously undefeated all black-historically black 1st seed Southeast Region North Carolina Central in the second round of the D2 playoffs today by a score of 24-17. FB Ben Stallings had 36 first half yards, equalling the rushing total of the entire Eagles team for the game! Way to show em how to run it Ben!

He ended up with 41 yards on 5 carries. QB Scott Eyster finished 23-34 for 264, 2 TDs and an early pick. The Statesmen will be playing at North Alabama next week for the Southeast Region final.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Delta State dominated from start to finish today and upset the previously undefeated North Alabama Lions 27-10! DSU QB Scott Eyster had a great day running (3 for 41 and a TD) and throwing, and the Statesmen ended up with 496 total yards of offense against the much heralded UNA defense. Ben Stallings had the last TD of the game and a total of 6 runs for 14 yards and 1 catch.

Delta State will play defending champion Grand Valley State in the National Semi-finals next Sunday on either ESPN-U or ESPN 2. The location will be determined tomorrow.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Ben Stallings and the rest of the Statesmen will travel to Allendale, Michigan to play Grand Valley State in the Semifinal game. It will be aired on ESPN2 Sunday at 6PM Central. This will be the first time Delta State has been on TV since their 2000 National Championship win against Bloomsburg. I am curious to see exactly how many whites DSU is starting this year. I think there are 9, but am not sure. Here's a picture of Scott Eyster throwing downfield against all-black North Carolina Central 2 weeks ago.

Edited by: Colonel_Reb

 

[Bronk]

Sunday at 6PM Central, Got it.

I'll be watching, Reb.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Ben had a 3 yard carry and a 7 yard reception in last night's loss to Grand Valley. Ben ends his Freshman year with 62 carries for 227 yards and 5 TDs and 4 catches for 12 yards and 2 TDs. With the graduation of Eyster and 3 of the top receivers, Delta State will be relying on their ground attack more next year, and hopefully Ben will be the beneficiary as far as carries and catches go. I can't wait until next year!

 

[Colonel_Reb]

I hope Coach Rhodes' replacement is white-friendly and will make use of Ben Stallings' talents next year. We'll see.

DSU football coach bids farewell
By David Brandt
david.brandt@clarionledger.com

Rick Rhoades has resigned from his position as Delta State's football coach, following one of the most successful seasons in school history.

"I still love football, but at my age I wanted to spend time with my wife and grandkids," Rhoades said. "I finally made the decision last week and waited until the players got back to campus to make the announcement."

Rhoades, 59, led the Statesmen to a 38-20 record in his five-year tenure, including this season's 12-3 mark and a trip to the NCAA Division II national semifinals before losing 49-30 to Grand Valley State.

It was Delta State's deepest run into the national playoffs since its 2000 national title.

Rhoades said the recent success was one of the main reasons he decided it would be a good time to make an exit.

"You always want to leave somewhere in better shape than you started," Rhoades said. "I think I accomplished that. If we had been 2-9 this year there's no way I'd be leaving."

Delta State offensive lineman Travis Mikal-Allen, who will be a senior next season, said the team wasn't shocked by Friday's announcement that was made during a break in the team's weight training session.

"We knew he wanted to spend some more time with his family," Mikal-Allen said. "He taught us football, but he had always maintained that family was important. I don't think anybody was incredibly surprised."

Delta State athletic director Brad Teague said he plans to move extremely fast in his hiring process considering the program is in the midst of recruiting.

"With signing day just a few weeks away, it's a critical time for us," Teague said. "I'd like to have someone hired by Tuesday, but I realize that's a pretty ambitious goal. I've already got a few names in mind and hope to start interviews this weekend."

Rhoades said he has not ruled out coaching again, but doesn't have any immediate interviews or plans.

"I'll never say never, but it's not like I'm 23 years old anymore," Rhoades said.

Delta State had one of Division II's most prolific offenses during Rhoades' tenure. In 58 games, the Statesmen averaged 436.7 total yards per game. Quarterback Scott Eyster was a four-time Conerly finalist under Rhoades' watch, and threw for 3,926 yards and 36 touchdowns last season.

Teague said he understood Rhoades' decision to leave, but admitted the coach will be hard to replace.

"Obviously, he's been one of the most successful coaches in our history," he said. "We'll miss him a lot, but understand why he's leaving."

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Delta State news for 2007! The Statesmen will travel to Jackson's Memorial Stadium to play Jackson State, a SWAC school, on September 1. This will be the Statesmen's second time to play in that stadium in school history. DSU has never played JSU, but has a good record against the larger SWAC schools. The game will start at 6PM, and to say that it will be a strange atmosphere there will be an understatement. I wish I could be there to see it, but I doubt that will happen.


Ben Stallings will be able to show his stuff that night in front of the largest crowd ever to see him play, and he'll also be on GSC-TV 3 times next year. On Spetember 27, DSU plays the Southern Arkansas Muleriders on the GSC network. Also, the October 11 game against Valdosta State will be broadcast, as will the October 18 matchup against North Alabama. The GSC broadcasts on several cable providers throughout the Southeast, plus you can watch these games by following the links at:


http://www.gulfsouthconference.org/sports.asp?sport=FOOTBALL

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Ben is now the second back in a new single back formation for Delta State. Since he is a sophomore, he should get a lot more carries in 2008 and 2009, but I'm thinking he will still get more carries this year than last. Delta State plays in Mississippi Memorial Stadium against Jackson State tomorrow. A decent I-AA SWAC team against a good D2 GSC team. It look like Delta State will have the following white starters to begin the season. A drop from last year, but with the school becoming majority black in a few years, I wouldn't expect anything else.

Offense
WR Chad Schroeder
C John Simmons
RG Chris Goff
RT Dustin Barrick

Defense
SS Scott Felando

 

[Colonel_Reb]

RB/WR Chad Schoeder ran 7 times for 29 yards and a TD in the 27-15 victory over JSU in Jackson! Ben Stallings had 7 runs for 17 yards.Edited by: Colonel_Reb

 

[Colonel_Reb]

On September 15, Ben had a team high 7 runs for 27 in a win against Henderson State. On the 22nd he had 4 for 23, and last week he had 8 for 41 and a TD.

Chad Schroeder, in the same games, had 5 runs for 11 plus 4 catches for 18, the next week 6 runs for 28 and a TD plus 3 catches for 78 and a TD, and last week had a game high 6 catches for 77.

Delta State's record setting QB from 2003-2006, Scott Eyster, signed a 2 year contract Sunday with the Edmonton Eskimos to back up Stefan LeFors as QB there.