Delaware State’s offense was held in check for three quarters.
Good thing for the Hornets, football is a four-quarter game.
Kaiden Bennett tossed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Pellum-Taylor and James Jones busted out of the gate with a 76-yard touchdown run to help DSU hold off Norfolk State 27-20 in front of a boisterous crowd of 47,266 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Thursday night.
Delaware State improved to 6-3 overall and 2-0 in Mid-Eastern Conference play,
The six wins are the most for a Hornet team since their last winning season in 2012.
Norfolk State (1-8, 0-2 MEAC) led 6-3 after a 13-yard touchdown pass from Otto Kuhns to J.J. Evans in the second quarter.
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Norfolk State had possession again, but was forced to punt and freshman defensive back Amir Anderson came up with the go-ahead touchdown, blocking Marco Peery punt and recovering it in the end zone to give DSU a 10-6 lead at the half.
The only third quarter points came on a 25-yard field goal by Delaware State kicker Patrick Fisher-Butler.
Then, finally, a football game broke out in the fourth quarter.
Bennett escaped a Spartan rush and fired to an unattended Pellum-Taylor in the end zone for a 19-6 advantage.
Norfolk State countered when Kuhns threw a long ball that a Delaware State DB tipped and Evans gathered it in and went the remaining distance untouched for a 70-yard score.
Jones added some insurance for DelState with his long scoring run, complemented by a two-point conversion toss from Bennett to NyGhee Lolley.
“I’m just proud of, man, both of us,” Jackson said after the game. “We’re in a position where we’re inspiring, changing young men’s lives at HBCUs. Man, it don’t get no better than that.”
Kuhns threw his third touchdown pass of the game to DreSean Kendrick with 54 seconds left, but DSU recovered the onside kick and boosted their winning streak to three games.
Kuhns completed 22 of 34 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns, while both Evans (124 yards on 5 catches) and Kendrick (112 yards on 9 receptions) shined for Norfolk State.
“Having a chance to work with guys like JJ, guy like DreSean, guys in that locker room, being part of that HBCU culture is extremely cool,” Vick said. “I look forward to better days.”
Bennett completed 16 of 18 passes for 158 yards while Jones rushed for 109 yards and MEAC leading rusher Marquis Gillis added 79 yards on 17 carries.
