Dover (Oct. 24, 2009) --- Delaware State scored a season-high five touchdowns, including one on defense, in a 35-22 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win over Morgan State before a homecoming crowd of 5,327 at Alumni Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The Hornets snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 2-5 overall and 2-3 in the MEAC. The loss ended a five-game win streak for the Bears, who fell to 5-2 and 3-1.
Delaware State's previous high score this season was 21 in a victory over Hampton (21-6) on Sep. 26.
"We had a good week of practice, and it showed with our effort today," said Delaware State head coach Al Lavan, who improved to 4-2 vs. Morgan State and 38-27 in MEAC games with the Hornets. "Overall, our execution was good, although we suffered some breakdowns with the two blocked punts. I thought our defense limited big plays by Morgan, and helped give us pretty good field position for most of the day."
DSU's Jaashawn Jones rushed for a career-high 107 yards on 17 carries, including a four-yard touchdown run, to lead the Hornet offense.
"We had a solid team effort today," said Jones, who has two rushing TDs this season. "We've had some tough breaks this season, but the team has remained united. The offensive line did a nice job to enable me to contribute to the win."
Delaware State quarterback Anthony Glaud completed 16 of 26 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns in his return to action after missing last week's loss to Michigan due to an injury.
"Today was a turning point in our season," said Glaud, who notched his second win in his fifth start at DSU. "It was nice to get a win in front of our fans on homecoming day."
Morgan State opened the scoring when a punt by Delaware State's Nick Lochner was blocked out of the endzone for a safety with 7:37 left in the first quarter.
The Bears stretched their lead to 5-0 when true freshman Kemar Scarlett tied a MEAC record with a 55-yard field goal with 4:44 left in the opening quarter.
Delaware State ended an eight-quarter touchdown drought, and pulled ahead in the game, when Glaud reached the endzone on a four-yard quarterback keeper early in the second quarter. The key play in the 48-yard drive was a 23-yard pass from Glaud to Darius Jackson to the Morgan State 15. Riley Flickinger's extra point gave the Hornets a 7-5 lead with 9:53 left in the second quarter.
The Hornets opened up a 14-5 lead when Jones added a four-yard touchdown run with 5:22 left in the second quarter. Jones had a career-high 34-yard run to the Morgan State 11 in the drive.
Morgan State answered with a 10-play, 68-yard touchdown drive with less than a minute to go in the second quarter. The drive was capped off by a 23-yard touchdown pass from Carlton Jackson to Winfred Diggs to pull the Bears to within 14-12 with 44 seconds left in the half.
Delaware State responded with a touchdown of its own in the final seconds of the half. Glaud connected with Donnell Dixon on a 30-yard scoring pass to give the Hornets a 21-12 lead with four seconds in the second quarter. Glaud was 3-for-3 for 56 yards in the four-play, 57-yard drive. The touchdown was the first of Dixon's career.
The Hornets added to their lead when Glaud and Zach Charles capped off a seven-play, 45-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter. The score gave the Hornets a 28-12 lead with 2:43 left in the third quarter. Glaud completed a 19-yard pass to Darius Jackson and Jones had a 15-yard run in the drive. The touchdown was also the first third-quarter score of the season for the Hornets. .
Scarlett added a 44-yard field goal to pull Morgan State to within 28-15 with 14:10 left in the fourth quarter.
Delaware State padded its lead with its third defensive touchdown of the season. Strong safety Avery Grant returned a Carlton Jackson interception 15 yards for a touchdown to give the Hornets a 35-15 lead with 6:50 left in the fourth quarter. It was the first interception and touchdown of his career.
"We were trying to do our part as a defense to help get a win," said Grant. "Our goal is to win our last four games and finish strong this season."
Morgan State closed out the scoring on a nine-yard touchdown run by Jackson with 2:39 left to play.
Delaware State won the total yardage battle, 281-to-258. The Hornets passed for 150 yards and rushed for 131. The Bears tallied 143 yards through the air and 115 on the ground.
Darius Jackson led the Hornets with five catches for 77 yards. Dixon had three receptions for 46 yards, each a career-high.
Andre Carroll had a season-high 11 tackles (3 solo) to lead the Hornet defense. Joe Mendes contributed eight tackles, including a sack. Jerome Strums had his second interception of the season for DSU.
"I was pleased with our overall effort," said Strums, a team co-captain. "We've had a lot of adversity this season, but the team has remained positive. Today's win is a big boost as we gear up for our remaining games."
The Hornets begin a two-game road swing at MEAC first-place South Carolina State next Saturday (Oct. 31) in Orangeburg, S.C. Game time is 1:30 p.m.
DSU Stingers
The captains for today are Nick Richmond, Anthony Glaud, Jerome Strums, Mike Gable, and Riley Flickinger
DSU lost the coin toss for the 4th time this season, but Morgan State deferred to the second half.
Lochner with a 57 yard punt at 13:52 of the first quarter.
Calvin Miner had his first career start for the Hornets.
Lochner's blocked punt at 7:37 in the first quarter, Richard Wilson from Morgan State with the block.
Tavis Tabb's interception with 1:30 to go in the first quarter was the first of his career.
Glaud intercepted by Justin Young, deflection at the line by Justin Lawrence. 14:54 1st quarter.
Darius Jackson with his 8th straight game with a catch
Anthony Glaud with his third career rushing touchdown with 9:53 left in the second quarter.
34 yards for Jaashawn Jones at 7:08 of the 2nd quarter was a career long rush.
Jaashawn Jones 3 yard touchdown run at 5:22 of the 2nd quarter was the 5th of his career, and the 2nd of 2009.
The second quarter was the first time this season that DSU has had two rushing touchdowns in the same quarter.
Morgan state average yards rushing allowed was 83.7 per game entering today. DSU rushed for 131 yards on Saturday.
Donnell Dixon's first career touchdown catch with 0:04 seconds left in the first half.
It was the first multiple interception game in Anthony Glaud's career.
Jerome Strums interception in the end zone was his 2nd of the season and 5th of his career 11:17 3rd quarter.
Freshman Ryan Langdon made his first-career catch in the 3rd quarter for a crucial 1st down.
Zach Charles with his 2nd career touchdown with 2:43 left in the 3rd quarter
Jaashawn Jones becomes DSU's 2nd 100 yard rusher of the year with 107 yards on the ground today. It's the 176th time in DSU history a Hornet has rushed for triple digits.
