WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 22, 2008) ? The Delaware State defense held Howard to 160 total yards, a season-best for the Hornets as they battled to a 10-6 victory against the Bison (1-10, 0-8). With the victory, DSU finishes the season with a 5-3 record in the MEAC (5-6 overall).
"I expected a much higher scoring contest than what occurred," said Head Coach Al Lavan. "Their (Howard) defense has played really well, not allowing a lot of points this season. I though it would be one of those 20-17 games. Howard played the way our scouting report indicated they would. I thought our defense would be able to contain their offense and force them to throw the ball. Except for a couple of plays, that pretty much happened. Our inability to throw the ball early in the game really hurt us. I give them credit, though. Their defense is young a very talented."
Senior linebacker Kevin Conner, playing his final game in a DSU uniform, registered a season-high 10 tackles and a sack. His 95 tackles led the team this season. As a defensive unit, Delaware State held Howard to just 67 yards passing and forced six turnovers.
"We knew it was going to be a battle playing Howard," said Conner. "With the rivalry between the two schools, we knew it wasn't going to be a blowout. So, we needed to create turnovers to give our offense a chance to score. It felt good to go out with a win during my last game. It's always good to go out with a good memory."
Quarterback Anthony Glaud led the offense with 86 yards passing (9-of-18) and a touchdown. Glaud replaced starter Vashon Winton after the senior struggled early in the contest.
"It (the victory) feels good to have to something to carry over into next season," said Glaud. "Winning our last two games if the season gives us some to feed of off. As a back-up quarterback, any chance you have to get into the game is used to give the team a boost. It also gives Vashon a chance to see things from the sidelines and use what he sees for when he gets back in the game."
The Hornets, as a team, rushed for 68 yards on 29 carries. Ten of those carries came from Jaashawn Jones, a career-high for the redshirt freshman.
"Once Strother went down, it put a little pressure on the passing game," said Glaud. "We had to throw the ball more to open up the rushing lanes for the younger guys to get through. Jaashawn stepped up and did what he had to do to get us the victory."
On special teams, punter Nick Lochner pinned Howard back in their own territory most of the game, as he punted eight times with four of them falling inside the 20 yard-line.
After 28 minutes of scoreless football, Howard quarterback Floyd Haigler completed a two-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Sherman. The Bison would go for two but would not convert the play to keep the score at 6-0. After three Hornet penalties, wide receiver Kenny Hayes made a diving catch at the DSU four yard-line to set up the first scoring opportunity of the game for the Bison.
A Howard blocked field goal on kicker Riley Flickinger's 38-yard try kept the Bison lead at 6-0 going into the half.
Delaware State started the scoring in the second half with 2:49 left in the third quarter. Glaud completed a sideline pass to Erick Jones. The redshirt junior wide receiver cut back and dove into the end zone for his team-leading fourth touchdown reception of the season and the 7-6 lead.
"Erick is a big body," said Glaud." So when we get down in the red zone, he is one of the first options."
Defensive back Mike Gable set up the five-play 34 yard scoring drive when he intercepted his first pass of the season, which gave the Hornet offense a starting point inside the Bison 40 yard-line.
The Hornets extended their lead to 10-6 with 8:43 left in the game when Flickinger converted a 28-yard try. Defensive back James Romain picked off his team-leading fourth pass of the season almost taking it into the end zone, but stepped out of bounds near the Howard 30 yard-line to set up the scoring drive.
Delaware State almost gave the ball back to Howard with two minutes remaining in the game, but a roughing the kicker penalty by the Bison gave the Hornets the first down and the chance to run out the clock to preserve the 10-6 victory.
The Hornets close out the 2008 campaign with a 5-6 record, winning their final two games the season. With a 5-3 record in the MEAC, Delaware State recorded its fifth-straight season with a winning record in league play.
