The Hornets (4-6, 4-3 MEAC) enter Saturday's contest ranked 83rd in total offense (315.40 yards-per-game). The Hornets improved their national ranking (91st the previous week) after racking up 371 total yards of offense versus the Spartans last week. The team also improved its rushing offense to 55th nationally (144.50), recording 195 yards on 45 carries.

 Delaware State is led offensively by quarterback Vashon Winton, who will be making his final collegiate start on Saturday. Versus Norfolk State, Winton completed 12-of-26 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for another (30 yards on eight carries). The Chicago, Ill., native ranks 92 nationally and seventh in the MEAC in passing efficiency (103.18) and is seventh in the conference (74 in the nation) in total offense (173.60 yards-per-game). Winton enters Saturday's game with 1,272 yards passing on the season. He has completed 56.1 percent of his passes (128-of-228) with eight passing touchdowns in 2008. The 6-foot-2 signal caller is currently No. 12 on the MEAC's all-time passing list with 5,546 yards, second-best in school history. He has also rushed for 464 yards and a career-high 10 rushing touchdowns this season.

In the backfield, Chris Strother returned back to the starting lineup after missing DSU's Nov. 8 contest versus Winston-Salem State (shoulder injury). The Miami, Fla., native rushed for 81 yards on 18 carries, including an 18-yard rush to set up the game-winning touchdown last Saturday. Strother seventh in MEAC (70th in the nation) in rushing yards (61.56 yards-per-game), tallying a team-high 554 yards on 113 attempts this season. Joining Strother in the DSU backfield is senior Kareem Jones. Jones rattled off 71 yards on 16 carries versus the Spartans before leaving the game with an ankle injury. On the year, Jones has compiled 407 yards on 82 carries with two touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards-per-carry.

 Senior Eddie Brown leads a DSU receiving corps which has registered 1,709 yards on 166 receptions, including nine touchdowns. Brown is 13th in the MEAC in receptions per game, averaging 2.90 receptions-per-game. Brown has recorded 29 catches for 318 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Larrone Moore is second on the team in receptions, catching 28 passes for 285 yards and one touchdown. Moore is also a threat in the return game, averaging 21.8 yards-per-kickoff return. Versus Norfolk State (Nov. 15), Moore rattled off 99 yards on three returns, including a 60 yarder which sparked DSU's comeback.

On the defensive side of the ball, Delaware State has a squad that ranks 18th in the nation in total defense (301.20 yards-per-game allowed). Linebacker Kevin Conner leads all Hornet defenders with 85 total tackles (32 solo) this season. Conner is third in the MEAC in tackles-per-game (8.50). He has three tackles for loss in 2008 and leads the team with three fumble recoveries. Joining Conner at linebacker is senior Jackie Watkins. Third on the team in total tackles (56), Waktins has recorded seven tackles for loss, including two sacks. The defensive line is anchored by senior tackle Ronn Spinner, Jr. The Lorton, Va., native has 40 tackles, including four and one-half for loss. Akiel Russell and Andre Caroll have also been a force on the D-line, each recording 38 tackles on the season.

Defensive back Avery Grant leads the 11th-ranked passing defense in the nation. Grant is second on the team in total tackles (67), recording a team-high eight and one-half tackles for loss in 2008. James Romain, Jerome Strums and Brandon Hudson are each tied for the team lead in interceptions (3). Romain comes into Saturday's game with 40 total tackles and a team-high 10 pass breakups. Strums has 33 total tackles and one forced fumble, while Hudson has notched six tackles this season.

On special teams, Nick Lochner has made he most of his first season at DSU. Lochner is averaging 39.7 yards-per-punt, booming nine punts of 50+ yards and place 18 punts inside the 20-yard line. 

Game Notables
- Saturday's will the final game of the 2008 season.  
- DSU is looking to win its second-straight over the Bison.
- Head Coach Al Lavan holds a 3-1 record all-time versus the Bison.
- The Hornets have won three-of-the-last-four games versus Howard with the lone loss taking place at William H. Green Stadium (2006 season).
- Saturday marks Coach Lavan's 56th game as DSU head coach.
- Saturday's game will mark Vashon Winton's final start at DSU (44th-career).
- Winton ranks No. 13 all-time among MEAC quarterbacks (5,546 yards).
- Saturday will be Coach Lavan's 29th-career road game (15-13).

A Quick Look at Howard
The Howard Bison close out what can be summed up as a rough season, entering Saturday's game with a 1-9 record (0-7 MEAC). Despite the one-win season, Howard has played some hard-fought battles, dropping four of its nine total losses by five points or less. The Bison enter Saturday's game riding a six-game losing streak and are still looking for their first home victory of the season.

Howard is led by quarterback Floyd Haigler, who has thrown 16 touchdown passes this season. Haigler enters Saturday's game with 2,336 yards on 237-of-412 passing in '08. Averaging 233.6 yards passing-per-game Haigler has registered a 110.20 passer rating through 10 games.

On the ground, the Bison are led by Karlos Whittaker, who has rushed for 386 yards on 109 carries. Whittaker has notched a team-high four rushing touchdowns so far this season.

 Wide receiver Arlandus Hood leads all Bison with 53 catches and 510 yards, including one touchdown. Willie Carter has grabbed a team-best six receiving touchdowns in 2008. Carter is averaging 79.5 yards receiving-per-game (44 catches, 477 yards).

Howard's defense is led by 2008 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honoree Endor Cooper. Cooper has recorded 116 total tackles this season, including 14 and one-half tackles for loss and two sacks. He has forced four fumbles.

Delaware State - Howard Series History
- Saturday's contest will mark the 66th meeting all-time between Delaware State and Howard.
- Delaware State leads the series history, 34-30-1.
- During the last meeting between the two teams, Delaware State downed Howard,  29-13, at Alumni Stadium (Nov. 17, 2007).
- Delaware State has won 4-of-the-last-6 meetings with Howard.
- This will mark the seventh-consecutive year that DSU has closed the season out with Howard.

.A Delaware State Win Would...
- Give the Hornets a two-game winning streak to end the season.
- Extend DSU's winning streak over the Bison to two games.
- Give Coach Lavan his 35th-career win at Delaware State.
- Give Coach Lavan his 16th road victory as DSU head coach.
- Improve Vashon Winton's record as a starter to 30-14.
- Improve DSU's 2008 record to 5-6.
- Improve DSU's 2008 conference record to 5-3.
- Give the DSU football program its 328th victory all-time.

Offense Continues to Climb

For the second-straight week, the Delaware State Hornets' offense improved its national ranking from the previous week. With 371 total yards of offense (195 on the ground; 176 through the air), DSU improved its national ranking in total offense from 91st to 83rd. 

A Tale of Two Halves

After falling behind 28-7 and allowing 216 total yards of offense, the Delaware State defensive unit buckled down and shut down the Norfolk State offense. The Hornets shut out the Spartans and held NSU to just 67 yards of total offense in the second half.