A rainy Saturday could not stop the shine of the Delaware State Hornets.
The Hornets punished Division II Southern Connecticut State with their FCS-leading rushing offense en route to a 70-23 win, their first homecoming win since the 2018 season.
The points are tied for the most in DSU history (they defeated Bowie State 70-8 on Oct. 8, 1984), while the 608 rushing yards shattered the old Hornet record of 507 against Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 2, 1993.
Here are the takeaways from today’s resounding win.
Everybody eats
Hornets head coach DeSean Jackson has said the Hornets have an “Everybody eats” mentality and Saturday, the DSU football team filled up on yards and points as DSU alumni fill up on the legendary campus fish sandwich.
James Jones ran for his second 90-yard touchdown of the season, collecting a whopping 158 yards on just three carries. MEAC leading rusher Marquis Gillis carried eight times for 130 yards and Kaiden Bennett scored his 10th rushing touchdown of the season from 44 yards out. Kobe Boykin also ran 69 yards for a touchdown.
Reserve quarterbacks Jayden Sauray and Titus Lyles each threw touchdowns for DSU, collecting a school record 791 yards of total offense.
Defense warming up for MEAC play
After allowing over 400 yards in each of their first six games, Delaware State cut back Saturday, allowing the Owls just 314 yards total, including a stifling 70 yards rushing on 50 carries.
The defense even pitched in on the scoring as defensive back Amir Anderson returned an interception 27 yards to the end zone that made the score 56-23 Hornets with seven minutes to go.
With much more talented and skilled offenses coming up, slowing down Southern Connecticut’s RPO attack was huge for DSU.
The culture continues to evolve
After winning just one game in each of the previous two seasons, Delaware State will enter MEAC play with a winning record for the first time in recent memory.
A 3-2 conference slate would give them their first complete winning season in 13 years, but the expectations of DeSean Jackson and his coaching staff are a MEAC title.
We’ll find out in two weeks if they win it when they visit North Carolina Central.
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