Delaware State rallies to stun Norfolk State in Philly HBCU battle

The Delaware State football team may have saved their season in the City of Brotherly Love.

Philadelphia native Marqui Adams threw for 243 yards and four touchdowns and Patrick Fisher-Butler’s 35-yard field goal as time expired gave the Hornets a dramatic 36-33 comeback win over Norfolk State at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.

The Hornets (5-4 overall, 1-1 MEAC) trailed by 17 points twice before shutting out the Spartans (4-5, 0-2 MEAC) in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Norfolk State led 17-0 midway through the second quarter thanks to a 32-yard field goal from Marco Peery, an 8-yard rushing score from Jalyn Dennis and a DeJean Goldmon 11-yard touchdown pass to Kam’Ryn Thomas.

Adams engineered two scoring drives, one ending in a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Terzado and a 35-yard field goal from Fisher-Butler to pull within 17-10 at the half.

The Spartans continued to hold and expand their lead as Goldmon threw a touchdown pass to Jason Wonodi and Ravon Moore Jr. scored a rushing touchdown. NSU also recovered a DSU conversion fumble and returned it for two points.

Another Fisher-Butler field goal closed the NSU lead to 33-19 going into the fourth quarter, then the Hornets dominated the fourth quarter.

Adams connected with Jaron Kelley on a five-yard touchdown to pull closer at 33-26, then Phillip Dunnam intercepted a Goldmon pass in NSU territory.

A few plays later, Adams found an unattended Kyree Benton on the right side for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the score at 33.

Norfolk State got the ball back with over a minute to go, but Elyjah Mitchell fumbled after catching a Goldmon pass and Ryan Brown recovered at the Spartan 15.

Delaware State ran the clock down for Fisher-Butler and his 35-yarder was never in doubt as the Hornets pulled off a win for the ages.