Delta State–Mississippi College football rivalry
The Delta State–Mississippi College football rivalry, commonly known as the Heritage Bell Classic, is a college football rivalry game between a public university and a private Christian college in the U.S. state of Mississippi, the Delta State University Statesmen and the Mississippi College Choctaws. The current winner is Delta State, who won, 52-38, on October 29, 2022. Delta State leads the all-time series, 24–16–2.[1][2]
Sport | Football |
---|---|
First meeting | October 26, 1935 Mississippi College, 33–0 |
Latest meeting | October 29, 2022 Delta State, 52–38 |
Trophy | Heritage Bell |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 42 |
All-time series | Delta State leads 24–16–2 |
Largest victory | Delta State, 41–0 (1955) |
Longest win streak | Delta State, 7 (1994–2018) |
Current win streak | Delta State, 2 (2022–present) |
History
Background: 1935–1994
The Delta State Statesmen were co-founding members of the Gulf South Conference in 1970. Mississippi College joined the conference in 1972 and played 23 straight games with the Statesmen before the Choctaws left the conference in 1996 which halted the series. The Choctaws left the conference and NCAA Division II to compete at the NCAA Division III level until 2014, when they rejoined the conference and continued the series with Delta State.[3][4]
The annual battle between Delta State and Mississippi College was one of the most anticipated contests in the Magnolia State from 1973 to 1995.[1]
Game results
Delta State victories | Mississippi College victories | Tie games |
|
References
- "BATTLE FOR THE BELL: Statesmen to Host MC on Thursday". Delta State University. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- "Football Preview: MC vs. Delta State". Mississippi College. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- "Matt Wilson named new commissioner of Gulf South Conference". AL.com. 27 March 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- "Mississippi College Releases 2014 Football Schedule, First GSC Games Since 1995". Mississippi College. Retrieved September 28, 2016.