DOVER (November 11, 2008) - The Delaware State looks to snap a current three-game losing skid as the Hornets travel to Norfolk, Va., to face the Norfolk State Spartans on Saturday, Nov. 15. DSU will be looking to extend its winning streak to six games over NSU, dating back to 2003. The Hornets downed the Spartans, 28-21, last season to capture the school's first MEAC title since 1991. The Hornets enters Saturday's game holding a 12-3 record all-time versus the Spartans. Head Coach Al Lavan looks to remain perfect versus NSU, having won each of the previous four meetings with the Spartans. The Hornets improved to 91st nationally in total offense after piling up 399 yards of total offense versus the Winston-Salem State Rams on Saturday, Nov. 1. DSU is averaging 309.22 yards of total offense-per-game. The team improved its rushing offense to 60th nationally, rattling off 254 yards on 53 carries. On the season, Delaware State is averaging 138.99 yards-per-game on the ground.
Quarterback Vashon Winton is coming off his best passing performance of the season, completing 13-of-21 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns versus the Rams (Nov. 8). Winton, who has started every game for the Hornets in '08, completed touchdown passes to three different players last Saturday ? the most touchdown passes he has thrown since Sept. 9, 2006. Winton ranks seventh in the MEAC and 93rd nationally in passing efficiency (103.55). The Chicago, Ill., native is currently ranked fifth in the MEAC and 79th in the nation in total offense (170.00 yards-per-game). The 6-foot-2 signal caller has completed 57.4 percent of his passes (116-of-202) for 1096 yards and seven touchdowns. Last week, Winton moved into 13th place on the MEAC's all-time passing list with 5,370 yards, second-best in DSU history. He also has amassed 434 yards on the ground (111 carries) and a team-high nine rushing touchdowns in 2008.
Senior Kareem Jones is coming off a career performance as the Lansingburg, N.Y., native rattled off 230 yards rushing on 35 carries versus Winston-Salem State. The 230 yards rushing was fifth-highest total in school history, while the 35 carries tied Michael Murray (10/5/91 vs. Jackson State) for the second-most at DSU. Jones enters Saturday's game with 336 yards on 66 carries this season. The reigning MEAC Offensive Player of the Week eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark with last weekend's performance (1,041). Senior Eddie Brown leads a DSU receiving corps which is averaging 10.0 yards-per-reception this season. Brown has tallied 28 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns. The 5-foot-10 Brown ranks 13th in the conference in receptions (3.11 receptions-per-game) and 17th in receiving yards (33.44 yards-per-game). Junior Larrone Moore led all receivers versus Winston-Salem State with four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown (the first of his DSU career). Moore has 26 catches for 260 yards and a touchdown in 2008.
On the defensive side of the ball, Delaware State continues to feature a number of players who will be considered for All-MEAC honors. The Hornets rank fourth in the MEAC and 17th nationally in total defense (303.22 yards-per-game). DSU is seventh in the nation in pass defense (152.00 yards-per-game) and is allowing 21.56 points-per-game (35th nationally). Leading all Hornets is senior linebacker Kevin Conner, who has registered 76 tackles this season. Conner is third in the conference in total tackles and 58th nationally. The senior linebacker has three quarterback hurries and three fumble recoveries this season. Joining Conner is fellow linebacker Jackie Watkins, who has recorded 54 total tackles in 2008. Watkins ranks 17th in the MEAC in total tackles, while tallying seven tackles for loss.
On the defensive line, junior Joe Mendes leads all Hornets with three sacks this season (ninth in the MEAC). Ronn Spinner, Jr., leads all defensive linemen with 38 total tackles (four and one-half for loss) followed closely by redshirt sophomore Andre Caroll who has 36 total tackles. Senior Alimayo Wilder is tied with Watkins for the team lead in tackles for loss (7). Wilder has recorded 32 total tackles and one and one-half sacks.
In the secondary, sophomore Avery Grant is second on the team and 11th in the conference in total tackles (61). On the season, Grant has notched six and one-half tackles for loss, including two sacks and one fumble recovery. Senior James Romain recorded a career-high two interceptions versus the Rams on Saturday (Nov. 8). On the year, Romain is tied with teammate Jerome Strums for 68th nationally in interceptions (0.33 per-game).
Game Notables
- Saturday's will kick off two-straight road games to end the 2008 season.
- DSU is looking to win its fifth-straight over the Spartans.
- Head Coach Al Lavan holds a 4-0 record all-time versus the Spartans.
- Coach Lavan is looking for his third-straight victory at Dick Price Stadium.
- Saturday marks Coach Lavan's 55th game as DSU head coach.
- Saturday's game will mark Vashon Winton's 43rd-career start.
- Winton ranks No. 13 all-time among MEAC quarterbacks (5,370 yards).
- Saturday will be Coach Lavan's 28th-career road game (14-13).
A Quick Look at Norfolk State
Norfolk State enters Saturday's game riding a two-game winning streak, following a 35-9 victory over Morgan State on Saturday, Nov. 8. Forcing seven turnovers, the Spartans handed the Bears their second conference loss of the season and improved NSU's record to 4-6, 3-4 MEAC.
The Spartans are led offensively by running back DeAngelo Branche, who has recorded 827 yards rushing on 194 carries with nine touchdowns. Branche is averaging 4.3 yards-per-carry and 82.7 yards-per-game. Quarterback Dennis Brown is second on the team in rushing touchdowns (6). The 6-foot-3 signal caller has rushed for 333 yards on 91 carries.
Through the air, Brown has completed 49.6 percent of his passes (126-of-254) for 1302 yards and six touchdowns. Brown is averaging 130.2 yards-per-game through the air and has a passer rating of 92.59.
Brown's top target is wide receiver Jamar Johnson, who has tallied 39 catches for 364 yards and three touchdowns. Joining Johnson as a "go-to" receiver is redshirt senior Dario Walker. The 5-foot-8 Walker has grabbed three touchdowns in 2008, notching 373 yards on 30 receptions.
Defensively, NSU is led by free safety Terrell Whitehead. The junior defensive back leads the team in total tackles (74). He also has picked off four passes during the season. Just behind Whitehead is inside linebacker Mike Alphonse, who has recorded 69 total tackles, including nine and one-half for loss.
Delaware State - Norfolk State Series History
- Saturday's contest will mark the 16th meeting all-time between Delaware State and Norfolk State.
- Delaware State leads the series history, 12-3.
- During the last meeting between the two teams, Delaware State downed Norfolk State, 28-21, at Alumni Stadium (Nov. 10, 2007) to capture the 2007 MEAC crown.
A Delaware State Win Would...
- Snap a current three-game losing skid.
- Extend DSU's winning streak over the Spartans to six games.
- Give Coach Lavan his 34th-career win at Delaware State.
- Give Coach Lavan his 15th road victory as DSU head coach.
- Improve Vashon Winton's record as a starter to 29-14.
- Improve DSU's 2008 record to 4-6.
- Improve DSU's 2008 conference record to 4-3.
- Give the DSU football program its 327th victory all-time.
No. 4 Ranks No. 5
The performance put forth by running back Kareem Jones on Saturday, Nov. 8 versus Winston-Salem State, placed the senior in the DSU record books. Rushing for a career-high 230 yards on 35 carries, Jones eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark (1,041). His 230 yards rushing was the fifth-best performance by a DSU running back in school history. He also tied Michael Murray (10/5/91 vs. Jackson State) for the second-most carries by a back in a single game.
Three Through the Air
Although quarterback Vashon Winton has found a lot of success, finding the end zone on the ground this season (9 rushing touchdowns), the Chicago, Ill., native registered three passing touchdowns versus the Winston-Salem State Rams on Nov. 8. The three touchdowns were the most by Winton since his sophomore year. That year Winton completed four touchdown passes during DSU's 63-28 win over St. Francis (Pa.) on Sept. 9, 2006.
Romain Picks Off Two
Senior James Romain registered a career-high two interceptions during his final home game at Alumni Stadium (Nov. 8 vs. Winston-Salem State). The 5-foot-11 Romain, intercepted passes on consecutive possessions during the Hornets 26-27 loss, giving the defensive back three interceptions for the season. He becomes the second DSU defensive back to have multiple-interception games. (Jerome Strums vs. FAMU - Sept. 4)
The Track Star Finds the End Zone
Junior Larrone Moore is known for his speed. In fact the 6-foot Moore is a member of the DSU track team. On Saturday, Nov. 8, Moore registered his first-career touchdown reception catching a 14-yard pass from Vashon Winton. For the game, Moore caught four passes for 73 yards and one touchdown, including a 45 yard reception in which Moore used his track speed to out run Ram defenders before being knocked out-of-bounds.
Jones Earns MEAC Offensive Player of the Week Honors
Running back Kareem Jones has been named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending Nov. 9 Jones registered a career-high 230 yards rushing on 35 carries versus Winston-Salem State on Saturday. Averaging 6.6 yards-per-carry, Jones notched the fifth-highest rushing total in DSU history. His 35 carries are tied for second most in the Delaware State record books. Jones also tallied two receptions for 13 yards and one touchdown. With his 230 yards, Jones surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, with 1,049 yards rushing during his DSU career.
This is Jones' first player of the week honor.
