DOVER (September 4, 2008) ? Quarterback Vashon Winton rushed for a career-high four touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime, to lead defending MEAC champ Delaware State to a 35-28 win over Florida A&M (1-1, 0-1 MEAC) in the season opener for the Hornets (1-0, 1-0 MEAC) before 6,216 fans at Alumni Stadium Thursday evening. Delaware State sealed the win when Jerome Strums intercepted Florida A&M quarterback Curtis Pulley's pass on the Rattler's first play of the overtime period. The Rattlers fell to 1-1 on the season and 0-1 in the MEAC.
"We made our share of mistakes, but found a way to come out on top," said Delaware State Head Coach Al Lavan, who improved to 25-7 versus MEAC opponents. "We overcame a lot of obstacles, mainly the outstanding play of Florida A&M. There's a lot of work to be done, but it's good to open the season with a win, especially against a conference opponent."
Delaware State defeated Florida A&M for the fourth-straight time, its best streak in the 26-year series between the teams.
Winton rushed for 78 yards on 14 carries. He also completed 21-of-32 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. Delaware State tailback Chris Strother rushed for 139 yards on 32 carries, each a career high.
"Our ability to run the ball was key to the win," added Lavan. The offensive line put forth a solid effort and Strother gave us the tough yards when we needed them."
Strother started in place of Kareem Jones, Delaware State's top returning rusher, who sat out the game with a foot injury.
"Hard work is the best way to describe our effort tonight," said Strother. "The offensive line created some nice holes and I tried to be patient in my approach. This was a nice way to open the season."
The score was 21-21 when Winton capped off an eight-play, 57-yard drive with a four yard touchdown run with 8:17 left in the fourth quarter. The Hornets were aided by a Florida A&M pass interference penalty on a third-and-eight play at the Rattler 20.
Delaware State's lead was short-lived as Florida A&M's LeRoy Vann returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 28-28. Vann has returned a kickoff for a touchdown in each of the Rattler's two games.
The Hornets drove 33 yards on 10 plays on the final possession of regulation, but placekicker Riley Flickinger missed a potential game-winning 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
Delaware State appeared headed for an easy win after opening up a 14-0 first quarter lead.
Winton scored the Hornets' first touchdown on a one-yard run, then he connected with Eddie Brown on a 16-yard scoring pass with 4:10 left in the opening quarter.
Florida A&M began its comeback when Pulley directed the Rattlers on an eight-play, 93-yard drive. Phillip Sylvester capped off the drive with a one-yard scoring run to cut Delaware State's lead to 14-7 with 6:31 left in the second quarter.
Pulley, a transfer from Kentucky, came off the bench to rush for a team-high 87 yards for the Rattlers.
The Hornets took advantage of a Florida A&M turnover to regain a two touchdown lead. Four plays after Stephon Hampton recovered a muffed punt by Florida A&M's Qier Hall, Winton scored on a four-yard run to give Delaware State a 21-7 lead with 3:02 left in the second quarter.
Florida A&M responded with a 61-yard touchdown drive just before halftime. Eddie Battle connected with Kevin Elliot on a 10-yard touchdown pass to pull the Rattler's to within 21-14 with 28 seconds left in the half.
The Rattlers tied the game at 21-21 when Pulley hit a wide open Elliot on a 34-yard "flea flicker" with 2:02 left in the third quarter. Pulley also rushed for 46 yards on four carries during the drive.
Strums, who had zero career interceptions entering the contest, picked off two passes for the Hornets.
There were seven turnovers in the contest, four by Florida A&M and three for Delaware State.
Florida A&M, which opened the season with two games in five days, is off until Sep. 20. Delaware State will return to action at Football Bowl Subdivision Kent State on Sep. 13.
