The Delaware State Hornets will make an historic visit to Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17 to face the Michigan Wolverines. The first-ever meeting between the two squads will kick off at 12:01 p.m. and will be nationally broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

DSU is coming off a tough loss to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Saturday, Oct. 10. Falling 9-7, in their home opener, the Hornets suffered the team's first loss to the Wildcats since 2004. DSU was held to 95 yards on the ground and a season-low 166 yards of total offense.

The Hornets enter this week's game averaging 265.00 yards-per-game of total offense (No. 100 in the nation), 110.75 yards-per-game on the ground (No. 84 nationally). Scoring just seven points versus the Wildcats, DSU is averaging 14.25 points-per-game, ranking the Hornets sixth in the MEAC and No. 104 among all FCS schools.

Defensively, DSU is allowing 392.00 yards of total offense-per-game (No. 92 in the nation and last in the conference). The Hornets have struggled to stop the run this season, as the opposition has averaged 202.75 yards on the ground-per-game. The Hornets have, however, held their opponents to just 15.75 points-per-game - good for first in the conference and No, 14 in the nation.

Quarterback Anthony Glaud enters this week, averaging 144.5 yards-per-game, while completing 57.5 percent of his passes (65-of-113). With 578 yards passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions, the Sicklerville, N.J., native has a passing efficiency rating of 102.79. Redshirt freshman Nick Elko made his collegiate debut during DSU's loss to Bethune-Cookman, completing 5-of-15 passes for 39 yards and one pick.

In the backfield, redshirt sophomores Tahree McQueen and Jaashawn Jones will be looked upon to fill the void left by the injured Jason Randall, who will miss at least two-to-three weeks with a leg injury. McQueen enters Saturday's game as the team's leading rusher, carrying the ball 35 times for 168 yards. The Paterson, N.J., native is averaging 42.0 yards-per-game on the ground. Jones, who made his first-career start last week, is coming off a career day versus Bethune-Cookman. The Asbury Park, N.Y., native rushed for a career-high 71 yards on 13 carries and tallied his fourth-career touchdown on Saturday.

Sophomore Darius Jackson continues to lead the Hornets in receiving with 19 catches for 200 yards. Jackson is second in the MEAC, averaging 4.75 receptions-per-game. Three other receivers have tallied 10-or-more catches this season for the Hornets. Larrone Moore (14), Zach Charles (12) and Erick Jones (11) have each been consistent targets in the DSU passing game.

On the defensive side of the ball, Delaware State is led by senior linebacker Mike Gable, who has recorded 30 tackles (16 solo) this season. Gable registered six tackles versus the Wildcats and forced a fumble inside the redzone early in the first half last week. Six different Hornets have registered at least one sack with senior Tyron Hurst leading all players with two sacks on the year. Hurst has totaled 12 tackles in the three games for Delaware State. The Hornets have registered five interceptions this season. Defensive back Greg Ligon has notched a team-high two picks this season. Ligon had three tackles and blocked an extra point versus Bethune-Cookman.   

Game Notables

            - Saturday will mark the first meeting between DSU and U-M. 

            - Head Coach Al Lavan spent two years at Eastern Michigan (2002-03) prior to coming to Delaware State.

            - DSU is looking for its first win over an FBS school under Coach Lavan (0-2).

            - The Hornets are looking prevent a 1-4 start for the first time since Coach Lavan first season at DSU (2004).

            - Saturday marks Coach Lavan's 61st game as DSU head coach.

            - The largest crowd at a Delaware State game was 29,713 on Sept. 2, 2006 (vs. Florida A&M at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.). Michigan Stadium holds 106,201.

            - The Hornets enter Saturday's game having scored points in 57-straight games (dating back to Oct. 2, 2004).

            - DSU is 5-1 on date of Oct. 17 (dating back to 1969)

A Quick Look at Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines come into Saturday's game having lost two-straight Big Ten contests, following a 30-28 loss to No. 12 Iowa on Oct. 10. The Wolverines are a perfect 4-0 at home this season and are looking to win their fourth and final non-conference game of the 2009 season. In the 130th-year of football and second under Rich Rodriguez, the Michigan Wolverines come into this weekend's game averaging 376.50 yards of total offense-per-game (No. 60 among FBS schools) and are scoring 33.00 points-per-game (No. 25 nationally). Defensively, U-M ranks No. 84 in the nation, allowing 387.83 yards-per-game and giving up 24.50 points-per-game (No. 63)

The Michigan offense is led by freshman quarterback Tate Forcier, who enters Saturday's game completing 57.2 percent of his passes (79-for-138) for 988 yards and nine touchdowns. Forcier has also scored two rushing touchdowns, gaining 180 yards on 61 attempts this season.

Joining Forcier in the backfield are Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor. Brown has recorded 336 yards on 44 carries and has registered two rushing touchdowns. Minor is second on the team in rushing, tallying 274 yards on 57 carries this season. Minor has found the endzone four times on the ground.

Martavious Odoms is team's leading receiver with 18 catches for 312 yards and one touchdown. Kevin Kroger has recorded two touchdowns for the Wolverines, registering 12 catches for 174 yards.

Linebacker Obi Ezeh leads U-M in tackling with 55 total stops. Jordan Kovacs is second on the team with 42 tackles and has registered 4.5 tackles for loss this season. Defensive back Warren Donovan has picked off a team-high three passes while recording seven pass breakups in 2009. 

Delaware State - Michigan Series History

            - Saturday's contest will mark the first meeting between DSU and U-M.

            - The Hornets have never faced a team from the Big Ten Conference.

            - DSU is 0-2 versus FBS teams under Head Coach Al Lavan.

            - The Hornets are 2-0 in the state of Michigan, defeating Florida A&M at Ford Field on Sept. 2, 2006 (W, 34-14) and downed Grambling at the Pontiac Silver Dome on Sept. 26, 1992 (W, 45-42).

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 A Delaware State Win Would...

            - Give the Hornets their first win over the Michigan Wolverines.

            - Give Head Coach Al Lavan his 36th-career win at Delaware State.

            - Give Coach Lavan his 18th road victory as DSU head coach.

            - Improve DSU's 2009 record to 2-3.

            - Give the DSU football program its 331st victory all-time.

            - Give DSU its first win over a Big Ten team.

            - Improve Coach Lavan's record versus FBS schools to 3-2 (1-2 at Delaware State).

Inside the Numbers

            - The 2009 Delaware State roster consists of 30 freshmen and 15 sophomores and only 38 juniors and seniors.

            - DSU's opponents have a combined record of 28-24.

            - Five DSU opponents are listed in this week's FCS National Polls.

            - The most people to see Delaware State play in a single season is 111,096. To date this season, 46,299 fans have been to a DSU game.

            - Delaware State has not been shut out in 57-straight games.

            - Delaware State is 15-7 in the month of October under Al Lavan.

           - Two DSU receivers are listed at 6-foot-3 or taller. Freshman Justin Brewton is 6-foot-4 and senior Erick Jones is 6-foot-3.

            - The tallest player on the DSU roster is sophomore offensive lineman Nail Muradymov (6-foot-7)

            - The shortest players on the DSU roster are Nafis Pickett, James Rosseau and Travis Tarpley (5-foot-7).

            - The heaviest player on the DSU roster is senior offensive lineman Mike Maloney (325 lbs).

            - 17 newcomers (players who prior to this season have not taken the field in a DSU uniform) are listed on this week's depth chart.

Largest Crowds to See DSU Football

This Saturday, Delaware State will take the field at Michigan Stadium which holds 106,201. The largest crowd to see DSU play was 29,713 on Sept. 2, 2006 when the Hornets took on Florida A&M at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. DSU won that contest, 34-14. The single-season record for attendance for DSU is 111,096 during the 2007 season. Below is a listing of Delaware State's top single-game attendances.

1. 29,713 - vs. Florida A&M (Sept. 2, 2006) - Ford Field; Detroit, Mich.

2. 26,216 - at Florida A&M (Oct. 30, 1999)

3. 25,180 - at Morgan State (Oct. 24, 1998)

4. 23,500 - at Southern (Nov. 9, 1985)

5. 22,149 - at Florida A&M (Sept. 27, 2003)

Tarpley Tops in MEAC

Redshirt freshman Travis Tarpley comes into this week's game ranked No. 1 in kickoff returns, averaging 33.0 yards-per-return this season. His average is good for No. 3 among all FCS schools.

Record Return

Travis Tarpley returned the opening kickoff of the DSU/Bethune-Cookman game 85 yards to set up the Hornets only touchdown of the game. The return tied the school record for the sixth longest in DSU history and was the longest return since 2002 season (92-yards return by DaShaun Morris).

The 3rd Quarter has Not Been Kind

The Hornets enter Saturday's game, scoring 57 points for an average of 14.2 points-per-game. Of the 57 points none have been scored during the third quarter. DSU's most-productive quarter has been the fourth (27 points).

Block Party

On Saturday, Oct. 10, defensive back Greg Ligon blocked an extra-point attempt versus the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. It marked the third time this season that the Hornets blocked either a PAT or field goal attempt. Two other times this year, offensive lineman Nail Muradymov blocked field goal attempts. The first was a 36-yard attempt during DSU's 21-12 loss at Florida A&M (Sept. 5) and the second was a 33-yard try during the Hornets' 21-6 win at Hampton (Sept. 26). 

On This Date

Dating back to the 1969 season, Delaware State has played in six games on Oct. 17. In those contests the Hornets have registered a 5-1 record. The last time DSU played on Oct. 17, the Hornets fell to Liberty, 53-21, in Dover, Del., during the 1998 season. Below is a listing of DSU's Oct. 17 games.

1998 - L, 53-21 vs. Liberty (Dover, Del.)

1993 - W, 18-14 at Florida A&M (Tallahassee, Fla.)

1992 - W, 22-20 vs. Florida A&M (Dover, Del.)

1987 - W, 52-26 at Akron (Akron, Ohio)

1981 - W, 21-17 vs. North Carolina A&T (Dover, Del.)

1970 - W, 6-0 vs. St. Paul's (Dover, Del.)

100-Yard Rushers

On Saturday, Sept. 26, Tahree McQueen became the 175th running back at DSU (since 1970) to rush for 100 yards, following a 102-yard performance versus Hampton. McQueen broke the century mark on 21 carries for his first-career 100-yard game.

The last DSU rusher to break the 100-yard barrier was Kareem Jones, who ran for 230 yards on 35 attempts versus the Winston-Salem Rams on Nov. 8, 2008. DSU's record for most rushing yards in a game is held by Gene Lake, who registered 336 yards on 33 carries versus Liberty on Nov. 10, 1984.

Consecutive Streaks

A number of DSU Hornets enter this Saturday's game riding consecutive streaks. Mike Gable comes into this week's game recording a tackle in 20-straight games. Francis Adjei and Avery Grant have each had at least one tackle in 15-straight games. Defensive tackle Andre Caroll has had a tackle in 14-consecutive games.

On the offensive side of the ball, Larrone Moore has had a reception in seven-straight games, while Darius Jackson has caught a pass in six-straight.

Wide receiver Erick Jones has caught a pass in eight-straight games.

57 and Counting

The Delaware State Hornets scored seven points versus the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats to extend the teams' consecutive games scored streak to 57. The Hornets have not been shut out since a 49-0 loss to Southern Illinois on Sept. 25, 2004.

Double-Digit Tackles

Through the team's first four games, two Hornets have recorded 10-or-more tackles in a single contest. Defensive back Jerome Strums holds the season-high for the DSU after registering 12 tackles versus Bethune-Cookman (Oct. 10). For his career Strums has recorded 79 total tackles. The school record for tackles in a single game is 23 held by Craig Parsley (vs. Howard on Nov. 18, 1989). Parsley finished his DSU career with 233 tackles (No. 8 all-time at DSU).

10-or-more-Tackles

Jerome Strums (12 vs. Bethune-Cookman)

Mike Gable (11 at Florida A&M)