Dover (Nov. 21, 2009) - Delaware State racked up season-highs of 410 total yards and 315 passing yards in a 30-20 win over Howard in the season finale at Alumni Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The Hornets wrapped up the 2009 season with a 4-7 overall record and a 3-5 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bison fell to 2-9 and 0-8. Howard has lost 19 straight league games dating back to the 2007 season.
Delaware State had its most explosive offensive performance in the last 16 games.
Junior quarterback Anthony Glaud completed 23-of-31 passes for a career-high 315 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Darius Jackson tied a team record with 11 catches for a career-high 123 yards, while junior receiver Larrone Moore had five receptions for 101 yards, also a personal best. In addition, sophomore fullback Jaashawn Jones rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. Jones rushed for at least 100 yards in four of the eight games in which he appeared this season.
The Delaware State defense held Howard to 187 yards of total offense, including just 29 rushing.
"This was a great way to end our season, and honor our seniors," said Delaware State head coach Al Lavan, who improved to 38-28 overall and 32-15 vs. MEAC competition with the Hornets. Lavan also picked up his fifth win in six games against Howard.
"Our offense and defense stepped up and made big plays today," Lavan added. "The execution on offense was as sharp as its been all season. This effort gives us something to build on as we look forward to spring ball and next season."
Howard took advantage of a Delaware State special teams miscue to open the scoring. Three plays after a bad punt snap gave HU the ball at the Delaware State 12, Terrance Lefall scored on a one-yard run to give the Bison a 7-0 lead with 2:45 left in the first quarter.
The Hornets got on the board for the first time on a 35-yard field goal by Riley Flickinger to pull to within 7-3 with 14:48 left in the second quarter. The seven-play, 33-yard scoring drive began at midfield after a 38-yard kickoff return by Travis Tarpley.
Delaware State had its first lead of the game when Jones capped off an eight-play, 55-yard drive with a 28-yard touchdown run to put the Hornets ahead 10-7 with 8:04 left in the first half. It was the longest scoring run of his career.
Neither team could score the rest of the half.
Howard regained the lead when Willie Carter returned the second half kickoff 92-yards for a touchdown to give the Bison a 14-10 advantage.
The ensuing Delaware State possession ended with Flickinger's second field goal of the game, from 20 yards out, to cut Howard's lead to 14-13 with 9:22 left in the third quarter. The 11-play, 67-yard drive was highlighted by 29 and 19-yard completions from Glaud to Jackson.
The Hornets pulled ahead for good on a five-yard touchdown run by Glaud to take a 20-14 lead with 5:06 left in the third quarter. During the seven-play, 56-yard drive, Glaud completed two passes for 24 yards to Moore and Jones had five carries for 27 yards.
"Our receivers did a great job of running their routes and picking up some big yards after the catch," said Glaud, who tied with Jones for the team lead with five rushing touchdowns this season. "I'm really looking forward to working with the guys during the off-season and doing even bigger things next year."
Delaware State stretched its lead to 23-14 on a 29-yard field goal by Flickinger, tying his career-high for three-pointer in a game. The senior kicker had 11 field goals this season, including six in the last two games.
The Hornets stretched their lead to 30-14 on a one-yard touchdown run by Jones with 9:21 left to play. The key play in the 55-yard drive (nine plays) was a 30-yard pass from Glaud to Tarpley to the Howard 1.
Francis Adjei led the Delaware State defense with seven tackles. He also had his third interception of the season. Avery Grant had five tackles, including two in the Howard backfield.
"Overall, I was pleased with our defensive effort," said senior tackle Tyron Hurst, who had three tackles and one of the team's two sacks in his final game with the Hornets. "It's has been a great experience for me at Delaware State. This win to end my college career is something I will always remember. "
STINGERS
- The game marked the final Delaware State appearance for the team's 23 seniors.
- Darius Jackson's 11 catches were the most by a Hornet since Thomas Bolden had 11 in 2004. David Jones had two 11-reception games for DSU in 1990.
- Riley Flickinger was special teams captain. After missing his first extra point kick this season, Flinckinger converted his last 19 in a row.
- Jaashawn rushed for 632 yards and five touchdowns in eight games this season.
- Glaud's 315 passing yards were the most by a DSU quarterback since Rahsaan Matthews threw for 339 vs. Norfolk State in 2000.
-The contest marked the first time that the Hornets had two 100-yard receivers and a 100-yard rusher in the same game.
- Delaware State held a 38:44-to-21:16 advantage in time of possession
