The Delta State University Statesmen football team, defending Gulf South Conference champions and NCAA Division II national runner-up, will kickoff the 2011 campaign at Parker Field-McCool Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 27 against Elizabeth City State University. Kickoff is tentatively slated for 6 p.m. DSU was originally schedule to open the year at Northwestern Louisiana State on Sept. 1 in Natchitoches, La.