Dover, Del.- Delaware State led by two touchdowns late in the first half, but failed to score the rest of the way in a frustrating 20-14 overtime loss to Georgetown at Alumni Stadium Saturday.
The score was 14-14 at the end of regulation.
Joshua Staley rushed for a five-yard touchdown on the Hoyas’ lone overtime possession to end the game. Delaware State had the ball first in overtime but failed to score when
Joseph Delgado’s 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked by the Hoyas.
The contest was the season opener for Georgetown, which had gone 658 days since its last game in 2019. Georgetown, a member of the FCS Patriot League, did not compete in 2020 and elected not to schedule any spring 2021 contests due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hornets fell to 1-1.
After recording just one first down without scoring on its first three possessions, Delaware State capitalized on its fifth interception of the first two games to strike first.
Seven plays after David Bowman’s first career interception, Sy’Veon Wilkerson scored on an 11-yard run on the first play of the second quarter to give DSU the lead.
Georgetown lost yardage on its next possession, and after a 15-yard punt return by Charles Peeler, the Hornets started their next possession on the Hoyas’ 37-yard line.
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On the fourth play of the possession, quarterback Tylik Bethea connected with Jerrish Halsey on a 14-yard touchdown pass to give Delaware State a two-touchdown lead. Halsey is in his first season with the Hornets after previously attending Wesley College. The extra point kick by Delgado gave DSU a 14-0 advantage with 9:38 left in the second quarter.
Georgetown took advantage of a late second-quarter interception by Bethea to begin its comeback.
Seven plays after the interception by Justin Fonteneaux gave the Hoyas the ball at their 46-yard line, quarterback Joseph Brunell connected with Sergio Portobanco on a 17-yard touchdown pass for Georgetown’s first score with four seconds to go in the opening half.
The Hoyas tied the game at 14-14 on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Brunell to Camero Crayton, and the extra point, with 9:13 left in the third quarter.
Delaware State combined for just 25 yards on six possessions after its second touchdown before marching 46 yards on 13 plays to midfield but lost the ball on a fumble by Bethea.
The Hornets appeared to obtain the ball near midfield after a defensive stop with a minute left in regulation, but Georgetown retained the ball on a DSU special teams penalty.
Delaware State had 10 penalties for 79 yards, while Georgetown was whistled for eight penalties and 56 yards.
Wilkerson rushed for a game-high 98 yards on 19 carries and the touchdown.
Delaware State gained 294 yards in the contest, 136 on the ground and 158 by the pass.
Bethea, making his second straight start, completed 15 of 24 throws for 158 yards and the one interception.
Georgetown totaled 245 yards, 197 through the air and just 48 on the ground.
The Hornets return to action next Sat. (Sep. 18) at East Tennessee State.
Courtesy: Delaware State Athletics
