BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Gulf South Conference began the season by collecting four non-conference wins last week, highlighted by a pair of results against top-20 opponents and three versus NCAA Super Region 2 foes. Week 1 of the 2025 regular season will see four GSC games on tap for Saturday, Sept. 6 as Valdosta State and West Alabama head to North Carolina to take on Johnson C. Smith and Chowan, respectively. West Florida heads to the Bluegrass State to face Kentucky Wesleyan, while Delta State stays home to host North Greenville.
Saturday, Sept. 6 • 6 pm CT
Delta State (1-0, 0-0 GSC) vs. North Greenville (0-0, 0-0 CC)
Location: Clevland, Miss. (Parker Field at McCool Stadium)
Watch: FloCollege
- Delta State leads the series 5-3, with the Statesmen falling, 45-47, in a four overtime thriller last season in South Carolina.
- This will be North Greenville’s first time facing non-conference meeting against a GSC member since 2017. The Trailblazers were an affiliate member from 2018-24, during which they went 23-39 overall and posted a 17-27 record in GSC play. NGU has three more games against GSC teams this season.
- Delta State knocked off No. 22 Central Missouri last week at home (31-23) as the offense finished with 420 yards. QB Cole Kirk accounted for 376 yards –throwing for 281 and rushing for 95 more. Kirk was also 14-of-22 through the air with two TDs, while connecting with WR Curtis Rearden three times for 123 yards. William Carter and Tye Holsey led the DSU defense with nine tackles apiece, while Jacquez Tucker had two tackles for loss.
- First-year head coach is in Nate Garner is in his first season with North Greenville. The Trailblazer offense is led by three-year starting QB Dylan Ramirez who was a All-GSC Second Team selection last season, which saw him throw for a career-high 2,424 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Saturday, Sept. 6 • 12 pm ET
Valdosta State (1-0, 0-0 GSC) at Johnson C. Smith (1-0, 0-0 CIAA)
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (Irwin Belk Complex)
Watch: CIAA Digital Network
- This is Valdosta State’s first-ever meeting against Johnson C. Smith.
- Valdosta State began the Graham Craig era with a 31-27 win over Clark Atlanta last week. The Blazer offense tallied 423 yards as QB Boyd Harris made his debut with a 14-for-24 performance that included one TD and 235 yards through the air and 120 receiving yards on two catches from Armani Hayes. The VSU defense forced five punts and one fumble. Tyler Morehead had a game-high 12 tackles.
- Head coach Maurice Flowers is in his fourth season with the Golden Bulls. Johnson C. Smith are 15-6 over the last two seasons, including an 8-2 record in 2024. The Golden Bulls won their season opener last week, 45-9, as they recorded 512 yards of offense while allowing 327 yards from Morehouse. Johnson C. Smith QB Kelvin Durham completed 15-of-19 passes for three touchdowns and 270 yards, while WR Brian Lane made six catches for 163 yards
Saturday, Sept. 6 • 12 pm CT
West Florida (1-0, 0-0 GSC) at Kentucky Wesleyan (0-0, 0-0 G-MAC)
Location: Owensboro, Ky. (Steele Stadium)
Watch: FloCollege
- West Florida is 1-0 all-time when facing Kentucky Wesleyan. Its last meeting was a 35-3 victory on Sept. 1, 2023 at home, which saw UWF finish with a 403 to 168 advantage in total offensive yards while the defense allowed just 10 first downs.
- The Argonaut offense tallied 537 yards in last week’s season opener against top-20 foe Lenoir-Rhyne. Marcus Stokes led the way as he was 20-for-29 passing with four touchdowns and 353 yards. TJ Lane rushed for 90 yards. WR duo Corey Scott and Tyree Holloway combined for three touchdowns, as Scott hauled in nine catches for 172 yards while Holloway went for 104 yards with two receptions. Walker Robinson led the UWF defense with nine tackles including two for loss, while Ja’Kobe Clinton had eight stops. The Argonaut defense also combined for six sacks against Lenoir-Rhyne.
- Kentucky Wesleyan head coach Tyrone Young begins his fourth season at helm. The Panthers were 2-9 last season, garnering wins over Northern Michigan and G-MAC foe Northwood.
Saturday, Sept. 6 • 12 pm CT
West Alabama (1-0, 0-0 GSC) at Chowan (1-0, 0-0 SIAC)
Location: Murfreesboro, N.C. (Garrison Stadium)
Watch: Conference Carolinas Digital Network
- West Alabama is 2-0 all-time against Chowan. Its last meeting was a 38-0 win in at home in Livingston on Oct. 28 of last season. Chowan spent the 2023 and 2024 season as an affiliate of the GSC. During that time, the Hawks were 3-17 overall and 2-13 in conference action.
- West Alabama defeated Fort Valley State, 27-17, to give first-year head coach Scott Cochran his first-career win. The Tiger offense finished with 333 yards, including 201 rushing yards from five different rushers. QB Spencer Arceneaux accounted for 184 total yards (132 passing, 52 rushing). The UWA defense conceded just 77 passing yards and 217 overall. Marquis Robinson and Travon Nunn led the way with six each, while Devontae Harris had two tackles and one INT.
- Head coach Paul Johnson is in his third season with the Hawks. Chowan was 3-7 last season including a 2-5 record in the GSC. Chowan won its season opener, 28-14, last week against Elizabeth City State at home. The Hawks offense produced 426 yards and were 8-of-14 in third downs, while the defense allowed 264 to the Vikings. QB Maurice Smith was 22-of-33 passing with one TD and 287 yards, while adding 29 yards on the ground.
GSC-CONFERENCE CAROLINA SHOWDOWN
The 2025 season marks the beginning of a two-year scheduling partnership with Conference Carolina. The agreement coordinates a total of 18 non-conference games, including eight during the 2025 season.
STOKES-ING THE OFFENSE
West Florida QB Marcus Stokes is fifth among NCAA Division II leaders in passing yards (353), third in passing TDs (4), eighth is total offensive yards (376), and seventh overall in passing yards per completion (17.65) and passing efficiency (209.8).
COLE OFFENSE
Delta State dual-threat QB Cole Kirk is fifth among D2 leaders in total offense with 376 yards. He is 19th overall in passing yards (281) and 33rd in rushing (95).
CATCHING 100
Three GSC wide receivers have recorded 100 or more yard performances this season. West Florida sophomore Corey Scott leagues the conference and is third in the D2 with 172 receiving yards.
GSC ON FLOCOLLEGE
FloCollege will be the exclusive home for all GSC games for the 2025 season. Fans who subscribe through the GSC Landing Page will receive a special GSC discounted rate. Additional savings will be offered to fans that subscribe with a .EDU email from a GSC institution. Click here for more info.