Delaware State has had some rough days on the football field, going ten full seasons without posting a winning record against the MEAC.
They have lost seven conference games in a row dating back to the 2022 season and that streak may not be coming to an end any time soon.
The Hornets have seemingly regressed each year not showing any signs of improvement needing a glimmer of hope to get out of its funk.
Here are my game-by-game predictions for the Delaware State 2024 football season.
Aug. 24, Hawaii- [L]
Previous Meeting: Never
For the first time in school history, Delaware State will travel to Honolulu for a matchup against the University of Hawaii. This will be the first time Hawaii has played against an HBCU since they played Prairie View A&M in 1979. The best-case scenario is the Hornets come out of this game with no injuries and a fulfilling experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Record: 0-1
Aug. 31, Sacred Heart- [W]
Previous Meeting: Never
In the first FCS game of the season for Delaware State, they have yet another first-time matchup against Sacred Heart. This will also mark the first toss-up game for the Hornets this year, as Sacred Heart is coming off a season in which they finished with a 2-9 record. The last time Sacred Heart welcomed a MEAC team to its home field was in 2022, when they beat Norfolk State 31-14. The Hornets are looking to snap a nine-game losing streak against FCS opponents dating back to 2022.
Record: 1-1
Sept. 14, Wagner- [L]
Previous Meeting: Delaware State 33-27, 2021
In their first home game of the season, the Hornets play another Northeast Conference opponent, Wagner College. The last time Delaware State matched up with Wagner, they had a thriller, seeing the Hornets come away with the win in overtime. Wagner comes into Dover looking for revenge, and it is very likely they will get it in this game.
Record: 1-2
Sept. 21, Richmond- [L]
Previous Meeting: Richmond 38-6, 2023
Delaware State begins a two-week gauntlet against teams that made the FCS Playoffs last season when they welcome the University of Richmond. When these teams matched up last year, it was over at halftime as a 21-point second quarter was all Richmond needed to put the Hornets down for the count. To make this brief, Richmond has significantly more talent than DSU and should win this game quite comfortably.
Record: 1-3
Sept. 28, Campbell- [L]
Previous Meeting: Campbell 34-7, 2022
In their second game against an FCS playoff team from last year, DSU travels to Buies Creek, North Carolina, to face the Camels of Campbell University. Continuing the trend of playoff teams putting the Hornets away in the first half, Campbell cleared Delaware State in the first two quarters of its most recent matchup, outscoring them 27-0. Don’t be surprised if or when this happens again.
Record: 1-4
Oct. 5, Saint Francis- [L]
Previous Meeting: Saint Francis 35-21, 2019
Delaware State then pivots to its Homecoming contest when they host Saint Francis. This is the first time the Hornets will play Saint Francis since 2019 in a game they lost. Of all the Northeast Conference opponents DSU will play this season, this one is the least likely to see them come away victorious.
Record: 1-5
Oct. 12, Robert Morris- [W]
Previous Meeting: Delaware State 14-9, 2022
In their last game before entering the conference portion of their schedule, the Hornets match up against Robert Morris. On paper, Robert Morris comes into this contest as the favorite, having finished last year with a 4-7 record. However, they have had their problems against FCS HBCUs, having lost their last three games against them, including a loss against Delaware State in 2022. This will be yet another toss-up game for the Hornets should execute their game plan.
Record: 2-5
Oct. 26, South Carolina State- [L]
Previous Meeting: South Carolina State 35-7, 2023
The Hornets get their first look at the new and improved South Carolina State Bulldogs in their conference opener. They will be the first MEAC team to see South Carolina State without Buddy Pough on the sideline something that hasn’t happened since 2001.
Last season, the Bulldogs spoiled DelState’s homecoming, riding a 21-point second quarter to a blowout victory. Although the hero in that game, freshman sensation running back Jawarn Howell, transferred from the team this offseason, South Carolina State still has much more talent than Delaware State. In this game, South Carolina State will tell the conference that they are a serious threat to win the MEAC title this season.
Record: 2-6, 0-1
Nov. 2, Howard- [L]
Previous Meeting: Howard 17-10, 2023
The Hornets will then travel to the nation’s capital for a date with the reigning MEAC champion, Howard Bison. Last season, Delaware State gave Howard a run for its money, limiting the Bison to 17 points, one of three games in which they did not score at least 20. However, this game will be played on Howard’s home turf where DSU has lost five of its last six in this series dating back to 2012.
Howard has significantly more talent than Delaware State and should beat them with relative ease this time. On the other hand, the Hornets have shown they could capitalize if they come out focused from the start.
Record: 2-7, 0-2
Nov. 9, Morgan State- [L]
Previous Meeting: Morgan State 24-17, 2023
Delaware State will then transition to a matchup against a team that boasted the best defense in MEAC last season, the Morgan State Bears. Once again, in their last contest with the Bears, the Hornets fought valiantly, battling back from a 17-0 deficit scoring 17 second-half points before eventually falling short.
This is a season that many expect Morgan State to break through in the MEAC after boasting one of the top defenses in the country last year. How well the Morgan State offense performs will determine whether or not the Bears squeak by the Hornets or blow them out of the water.
Record: 2-8, 0-3
Nov. 16, Norfolk State- [L]
Previous Meeting: Norfolk State 44-21, 2023
In their penultimate game of the season, Delaware State travels to Virginia for a date with Norfolk State. Last year, the Hornets could not overcome giving up 34 points in the first half (21 in the second quarter) to the Spartans, having their two-game win streak against them snapped. This is the most winnable game DelState will have in the conference this season. Essentially, this will determine who finishes last in the MEAC standings.
Record: 2-9, 0-4
Nov. 23, North Carolina Central- [L]
Previous Meeting: North Carolina Central 55-14, 2023
Delaware State concludes the 2024 season on their home field against the North Carolina Central Eagles. Last season, Delaware State faced North Carolina Central at the worst time, coming off an embarrassing loss to Howard and vying for an FCS playoff spot. They surrendered 55 points to the Eagles, the most they’ve allowed in a conference game since they gave up 55 to Howard in 2018. DSU is looking for its first win against NCCU since 2018.
2024 Record: 2-10, 0-5
