The Delaware State Hornets host the Morgan State Bears for Homecoming 2009 - Capturing the Moments. DSU is coming off a tough road trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., where the Hornets fell to the Michigan Wolverines, 63-6, in front of a crowd 106,304. Delaware State returns to MEAC action this week, looking to get back on the winning track and earn the team's first home victory. The Hornets have won three of the last four meetings with the Bears and have won two-straight over MSU at Alumni Stadium. Saturday's game will mark the 11th time Morgan State comes in as DSU's opponent for homecoming. The Hornets own an 8-2 record on homecoming versus the Bears. Delaware State has won four-straight homecoming games with the team's last loss at the hands of MSU on Oct. 25, 2003 (53-36).

Delaware State is looking to avenge a 20-3 loss to Morgan State last season (Oct. 25, 2008). The Hornets turned the ball over four times, resulting in 17 Morgan State points. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Hornets and gave Head Coach Al Lavan his second-career loss to the Bears (3-2).

Delaware State enters this weekend's game looking to rebound from a one-sided affair versus the Michigan Wolverines last weekend. The Hornets are averaging 255.20 yards of total offense-per-game (No. 103 in the nation) and are scoring 12.60 points-per-game (No. 109 in the nation). Defensively, DSU is allowing 495.00 yards-per-game (No. 116 nationally) and 25.20 points-per-game (No. 70 nationally).

Quarterback Anthony Glaud missed the Hornets' game with Michigan due to injury and enters this week's game with a pass efficiency rating of 102.79. The Sicklerville, N.J., native has registered 578 yards passing, completing 65-of-113 passes with two touchdowns. Glaud has also rushed for two touchdowns this season. Glaud ranks nationally in total offense (158.75 yards-per-game - No. 76) and pass efficiency (No. 84). Backing up Glaud is redshirt freshman Nick Elko, who made his first collegiate start last weekend. Elko has completed 23-of-49 passes for 190 yards in two appearances this season. 

The Hornets are looking to get the running game going, as the team is averaging 101.60 yards-per-game on the ground (No. 96 in the nation). Running back Jaashawn Jones is coming off his second-consecutive start, rushing for 14 yards on 11 carries versus the Wolverines. Jones is averaging 28.3 yards-per-game and has rushed for the team's lone touchdown at home this season. Freshman Nick Williams made his Hornet debut last weekend, rushing for a team-high 48 yards on 10 carries.

The DSU receiving corps is led by sophomore Darius Jackson, who has tallied 21 catches for 204 yards this season. The Quincy, Fla., native has caught a pass in seven-straight games. Speedster Larrone Moore is second on the team in receptions, grabbing 17 passes for 161 yards in 2009. Jackson ranks No. 3 in the conference in receptions-per-game (4.20), while Moore is No. 8 in the MEAC averaging 3.40 receptions-per-game.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Hornets are led by redshirt senior Jerome Strums. The Windsor, Conn., native has recorded a team-high 33 tackles (13 solo), following his second-straight, double-digit outing in tackles. Strums registered 10 tackles (6 solo) last Saturday and notched 12 total tackles versus the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats two weeks ago (Oct. 10). Linebacker Mike Gable is second on the team in tackles with 32 (17 solo). Gable has registered three tackles for loss as well one sack this season. Senior Tyron Hurst leads all Hornets with two sacks this year. Hurst has 13 tackles in four games this season. Overall, DSU has recorded seven sacks, averaging 1.20 per-game. Cornerback Greg Ligon is the team's leader in interceptions with two. Ligon has tallied 22 tackles this season and has blocked an extra point.   

DSU special teams are highlighted by one of the conference's top punters and one of the nation's top return men. Nick Lochner comes into this weekend's game 38.85 yards-per-punt. The Webster, N.Y., native ranks No. 44 in the nation and No. 2 in the MEAC in yards-per-punt. Lochner is coming off a career day, booting 10 punts for 366 yards versus Michigan. Redshirt freshman Travis Tarpley is averaging 26.0 yards-per-kick return this season. Tarpley's average is good for No. 2 in the conference and No. 17 in the nation. The Danville, Va., product has returned 11 kicks for 286 yards.

Game Notables

            - Saturday will mark Homecoming for the Hornets. 

            - Head Coach Al Lavan owns a 4-1 record during DSU Homecoming games.

            - DSU has faced Morgan State 10 times during homecoming with the Hornets holding an 8-2 record versus the Bears in those contests.

            - The Hornets are looking prevent a 1-6 start for the first time under Coach Lavan.

            - Saturday marks Coach Lavan's 62nd game as DSU head coach.

            - Delaware State has won four-straight homecoming games.

            - The Hornets enter Saturday's game having scored points in 58-straight games (dating back to Oct. 2, 2004).

            - DSU is 2-2 on date of Oct. 24 (dating back to 1969)

A Quick Look at Morgan State

Morgan State comes into this weekend's game riding a five-game winning streak, following a 14-7 win over Howard last weekend. The Bears sit atop the MEAC standing in a first-place tie with the South Carolina State Bulldogs. MSU enters this week averaging 202.83 yards per-game of total offense (No. 117 nationally) while scoring 12.17 points-per-game (No. 110 in the nation).

The Bears are led by quarterback Carlton Jackson, who has recorded six touchdowns while completing 56.7 percent of his passes (68-of-120). Jackson is averaging 118.7 yards-per-game through the air. Running back Devan James is the team's leading rusher, averaging 54.2 yards-per-game this season. James has registered 271 yards on 78 carries with one touchdown during the 2009 season.

Defensively, the Bears are allowing 312.33 yards-per-game (No. 39 in the nation) and only 14.33 points-per-game (No. 9 among all 118 FCS schools). The Morgan State defensive unit is led by George Howard, who has tallied 84 total tackles (43 solo) this season. The two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Week has registered 6.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Chris Eugene leads Morgan State with three sacks. Eugene has recorded 14 tackles this season, including four for loss. The Bears have picked off five passes this season. Leading the way are Zach Stewart and Darren McKhan, who each have two interceptions this season.

The Last Meeting

Four turnovers, resulting in 17 points proved to be the difference as the Delaware State Hornets fell to the Morgan State Bears, 20-3 at Hughes Stadium. Held to a season-low 118 yards on the day, the Hornets (3-4, 3-2 MEAC) suffered their second MEAC loss of the season. The win improves Morgan State's record to 5-3, 3-1 MEAC. The Hornets rushed for 87 yards on 30 carries and threw for 31 yards. Quarterbacks Vashon Winton and Anthony Glaud combined for 5-of-15 passing, including three interceptions. On the ground, Winton led all DSU players with 44 yards on 15 carries. Defensively, DSU held Morgan State to 200 yards of total offense, the second-best defensive production of the season .

The Hornets limited Morgan State's Devan James below his conference-leading 125 yards rushing-per-game to just 103 yards on the ground. James scored both of MSU's touchdowns on 26 carries. Linebacker Jackie Watkins led the way on defense for the Hornets tallying a career-high 12 tackles on the afternoon. The Woodbridge, Va., native also notched his second sack of the season, recording three tackles for loss versus the Bears. Delaware State fell to the Bears for the first time since 2004.

Delaware State - Morgan State History

            - Saturday's contest will mark 53rd meeting between DSU and MSU.

            - The Hornets have won three of the last four versus the Bears

            - Head Coach Al Lavan owns a 3-2 record all-time versus Morgan State.

            - DSU has won two-straight home games versus the Bears.

            - DSU holds a 6-4 record versus Morgan State in the last 10 meetings.

            - Only S.C. State (11 times) has been DSU's opponent for homecoming more that Morgan State (10 times).

            - DSU holds a 20-12 record versus Morgan State in MEAC competition.

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 A Delaware State Win Would...

            - Give the Hornets their first home win of the season.

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

            - Give Coach Lavan his 19th home victory as DSU head coach.

            - Improve DSU's 2009 record to 2-5.

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

            - Improve DSU's homecoming record to 30-11 (dating back to 1969).

            - Snap a two-game, home losing streak.

            - Improve the Hornets to 2-3 in the MEAC.

Inside the Numbers

            - The 2009 Delaware State roster consists of 32 freshmen and 13 sophomores and only 38 juniors and seniors.

            - DSU's opponents have a combined record of 34-28.

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

            - Entering the 2009 season, the most people to see Delaware State play in a single season is 111,096. To date this season, 152,603 fans have been to a DSU game.

            - Delaware State has not been shut out in 58-straight games.

            - Delaware State is 15-8 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 redshirt 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).

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

            - The Hornets allowed a school-record 727 yards of total offense versus the Michigan Wolverines.

Homecoming 2009 - Capturing the Moments

This year's homecoming contest will feature the Morgan State Bears. It is the 11th time Morgan State has been Delaware State's opponent for homecoming and 10th time in the last 19 years. DSU holds an 8-2 record versus the Bears and has won two-straight homecoming contests against MSU. Delaware State has won eight of its last 10 homecoming games, including four straight. Below are some facts about DSU's homecoming dating back to 1969.

Overall record (since 1969): 29-11

Most wins against: Morgan State (8)

Most common opponent: South Carolina State (11 times) - this year will mark Morgan State's 11th appearance.

Most wins by a coach: 9 (William Collick - 1985-1996)

Most decisive win: 51-7 (vs. Bethune-Cookman - Oct. 5, 1985)

Most decisive loss: 29-6 (vs. Howard - Oct. 6, 1973)

Largest crowd: 12,000 (Oct. 27, 1984 vs. Central State - W, 55-17)

Al Lavan's homecoming record: 4-1

The Big House Sets DSU Record

On Saturday, Oct. 17, Delaware State took the field at Michigan Stadium in front of a crowd of 106,304. Prior to this outing, 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. Entering this season, 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. 106,304 - at Michigan (Oct. 17, 2009)

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

3. 26,216 - at Florida A&M (Oct. 30, 1999)

4. 25,180 - at Morgan State (Oct. 24, 1998)

5. 23,500 - at Southern (Nov. 9, 1985)

Elko Makes His First Start

Nick Elko made his first-career start during DSU's 63-6 loss at Michigan. The redshirt freshman completed 18-of-34 passes for 151 yards, including a 42-yard pass to Justin Wilson. On the year, Elko has tallied 190 yards on 23-of-49 passing.

The 3rd Quarter has Not Been Kind

The Hornets enter Saturday's game, scoring 63 points for an average of 12.6 points-per-game. Of the 63 points none have been scored during the third quarter. DSU's most-productive quarter has been the fourth (30 points).

58 and Counting

The Delaware State Hornets scored six points versus the Michigan Wolverines to extend the teams' consecutive games scored streak to 58. The Hornets have not been shut out since a 49-0 loss to Southern Illinois on Sept. 25, 2004.

On This Date

Dating back to the 1969 season, Delaware State has played in four games on Oct. 24. In those contests the Hornets have registered a 2-2 record. The last time DSU played on Oct. 24, the Hornets fell to Morgan State, 15-13, in Baltimore, Md., during the 1998 season. Below is a listing of DSU's Oct. 124 games.

1998 - L, 15-13 at Morgan State (Baltimore, Md.)

1992 - W, 34-18 at Morgan State (Baltimore, Md.)

1987 - W, 40-17 at Towson (Towson, Md.)

1979 - L, 34-6 at Morgan State (Baltimore, Md.)

Record Return

Travis Tarpley returned the opening kickoff of the DSU/Bethune-Cookman (Oct. 10) 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).

Speaking of Top Returners

Junior Larrone Moore comes into this week's contest looking to add to his career numbers in kickoff returns. The Hyattville, Md., native returned three kicks for 74 yards at Michigan (Oct. 17) to move into a fifth-place tie in kick returns (35 with Thalamus Trammel - 1994-96) and into sixth place in kick return yards (724) in the DSU record books. Moore has returned 35 kicks for 724 yards and a 20.7 yards-per-return average during his DSU career.

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). 

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 21-straight games. Francis Adjei and Avery Grant have each had at least one tackle in 16-straight games. Defensive tackle Andre Caroll has had a tackle in 15-consecutive games.

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

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