DOVER (September 27, 2008) ? Central Connecticut handed Delaware State its first home loss in nearly two years, 28-10, before 3,254 soggy fans at Alumni Stadium Saturday evening. The Blue Devils won their second straight to improve to 3-1 on the season, while the Hornets have lost two in a row to fall to 1-2. Delaware State had won nine straight home games since a 29-14 loss to Hampton on September 28, 2006.
The losing streak is also the longest for the Hornets since the '06 season.
Halfback James Mallory rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Hunter Wanket came off the bench to complete six-of-seven passes for 72 yards and a score to lead the Central Connecticut attack. Wanket also rushed for 99 yards on seven carries.
Mallory was second among all Football Championship Subdivision players in rushing at 180.3 yards-per-game entering the contest.
The Blue Devils totaled 353 yards, including 262 on the ground. Delaware State passed for 159 of its 246 total yards. The Hornets were also hurt by three turnovers, including two interceptions, and a blocked punt.
"We were thoroughly beaten by a good team," said Delaware State fifth-year head coach Al Lavan, who fell to 30-18 with a Hornets and 1-1 vs. Northeast Conference opponents. "Our inability to sustain drives, hold onto the football and stop the run were all factors in the loss. We also had another special teams break down, which led to the first score of the game."
Larrone Moore had six catches for 74 yards, each a career-high, to lead the Hornets. Quarterback Vashon Winton completed 14-of-26 passes for 122 yards. Winton and Chris Strother led DSU in rushing with 47 yards each.
The Blue Devils used a big special teams play to get on the scoreboard first.
Central Connecticut's Alonde Rush blocked a punt by Delaware State's Nick Lochner that was recovered by the Blue Devils at the Delaware State one-yard line.
Two plays later, Eric Richardson scored on a one-yard plunge to give Central Connecticut a 7-0 lead with 10:20 left in the second quarter.
Delaware State evened the game on its next possession.
Winton capped off a six-play, 74-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run to make it 7-7 with 7:55 left in the first half. He completed each of three passes for 44 yards and rushed for 23 yards on the scoring drive. Winton has a team-high five rushing touchdowns this season and 20 for his career.
The Blue Devils wasted little time to regain the lead. Wanket entered the game on the ensuing possession, and led the Devils on a four-play, 76-yard scoring drive. Josh Vargas capped off the one-minute-42-second drive with a 15-yard run to give Central Connecticut a 14-7 lead with 6:05 remaining in the second quarter. Wanket had a 31-yard run and completed a 21-yard pass to Vargas on the drive.
Central Connecticut scored its third touchdown of the second quarter when Wanket connected with Nick Colagiovanni on a 28-yard scoring pass to give the Blue Devils a 21-7 lead with 43 seconds left in the half.
Delaware State got back on the board with a spark of offense right before the half.
The Hornets pulled to within 21-10 when Riley Flickinger kicked a 34-yard field goal as the first half clock expired.
Winton completed passes of 14 and 10 yard to Moore, and had a 19-yard run during the drive.
Central Connecticut closed out the scoring when Mallory capped off a 13-play, 86 yard drive with a two-yard run with 12:39 left to play.
"We played hard, but you have to give Central Connecticut a lot of credit," said Delaware State senior defensive end Alimayo Wilder. "The Blue Devils had a good game plan, and their execution was a big factor. The blocked punt was a big momentum changer in the game."
Strother said the Hornets have to quickly put the loss behind them.
"I give Central Connecticut a great deal of credit, but we have a lot of work to do," said Strother, who leads the Hornets with 246 yards rushing this season. "We have a lot of mistakes to clean up to get back to the type of football we are used to playing."
Delaware State returns to MEAC play when Hampton visits Alumni Stadium next Saturday. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. The defending MEAC champion Hornets are 1-0 in the league this season.
