Delaware State looked like a football team Thursday night.
It didn’t lead to a win as the University of Delaware remained unbeaten over the Hornets with a 35-17 win, but the positive signs were evident as new head coach DeSean Jackson tries to turn the program around.
Here are the main takeaways from Thursday night’s Route 1 Rivalry, which likely will be played for the final time for a while.
Ground game solid
The Hornet rushing attack kept UD off balance all game long, collecting 200 yards on the ground.
The charge was led by grad student running back Marquis Gillis, who missed much of 2024 with injuries. Gillis carried 17 times for a career-high 123 yards and also caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kaiden Bennett.
Penalties sting the Hornets
Delaware State took itself out of the game with an undisciplined effort, compiling 111 yards on 14 penalties. A potential 7-0 lead was wiped out as Marquis Gillis’ 33-yard touchdown run was reduced to a 5-yard run thanks to a holding penalty.
Bennett plays well in debut
Kaiden Bennett needed a waiver to join the DSU football team, but he provided a steady influence at quarterback. Bennett completed 11 of 23 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 30 yards on 10 carries, including a 23-yard touchdown to cap a 14-play, 75-yard drive to start the second half.
Bennett, a transfer from Sacramento State, was expected to provide a dual-threat element to the Delaware State offense and with room for improvement, the Hornet attack could be one to watch in 2025.
Excellent effort
There have been times when Delaware State looked completely outmatched against Delaware, and with the Blue Hens moving up to the FBS Conference USA, Thursday night looked like another mismatch.
Instead, the Hornets took a lead for just the fourth time in the series and stayed in competition long after most expected them to.
Head coach DeSean Jackson wasn’t ready to claim any moral victories, saying, “I’m not going to sit here and say we were the better team and we lost. We know we’re a great team, but the better team won today.”
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Even with that, Delaware State has plenty of reasons to be encouraged as they prepare for their home opener next week against Albany.
