It had been nearly a year since the Delaware State football team had won a game and nearly two since they’d beaten an FCS opponent.
Both of those long losing spells ended Saturday night with a 17-15 win at FCS Independent Sacred Heart, the Hornets’ first win since a 48-17 win over Virginia-Lynchburg on September 30.
Their previous FCS win was a 27-24 overtime decision at South Carolina State on November 5, 2022.
Here’s how Delaware State picked up the win.
Winning the turnover battle
The Hornets have not committed a turnover in their first two games of the season and have two interceptions at Sacred Heart. A third-quarter pick by sophomore defensive back Wayne Favors III killed a promising Pioneers drive, and a fourth-quarter theft by Christian Garrett set up running back Jaden Sutton’s 39-yard touchdown run to give the Hornets some breathing room at 17-9 midway through the fourth-quarter.
Jaden Sutton emerging as the lead running back
Sutton, a grad transfer from Lafayette last season, saw limited action in 2023 but has emerged as the Hornets’ go-to running back, rushing for 142 yards on 25 carries, catching five passes for 58 yards, and scoring two touchdowns. If Sutton is the guy going forward, Delaware State has a sizable back capable of making big plays, which is a young quarterback’s best friend.
Marqui Adams continues to play smart football
Adams, once again, didn’t wow anyone with his passing statistics but managed the game well enough for the Hornets to win. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 150 yards with no interceptions (again) and threw his first touchdown score of 2024, a 41-yard strike to sophomore receiver Kristian Tate. The more experience and confidence Adams gets under his belt, the better the prospects become for DelState.
HORNETS WIN! HORNETS WIN! HORNETS WIN! #EntertheNest #GoHornets #LegacyandPride pic.twitter.com/fDl0VcSihU
— Delaware St. Hornets (@DSUHornets) September 1, 2024
Nathan Wilson pulling double duty
Wilson was the Hornets’ placekicker each of the last three seasons and has added punting duties to his 2024 task list. He currently averages 42.7 yards per punt, helping the Hornets win the field position battle.
Veteran defenders stepping up
With a lot of young players and transfers joining the fold, a few Hornet holdovers still carry big play ability. Defensive lineman Eric Montes and linebacker Maurio Goings saved the day twice in the final two minutes for the Hornets as Montes snuffed out Pioneer QB John Michalski’s tying two-point conversion attempt, then combined with Goings to sack Michalski on SHU’s last drive to put the game away.
After surviving a bizarre cross-country trek to Hawai’i, then going back on the road the following week and coming up with a win, Delaware State can enjoy a well-earned week off before their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 14, against Wagner of the Northeast Conference.
