DOVER (Aug. 15, 2009) - The Hornets took the field in full pads for the first time this season, as DSU's offense faced off versus the squad's defense in a full-contact, first-down scrimmage this afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
Running approximately 80 plays, DSU's offense tallied 600 yards and two touchdowns on 79 plays. Delaware State quarterbacks Anthony Glaud, Nick Elko and Micah Brown combined for 32-of-55 passing for 453 yards. Glaud completed 15-of-20 passes, including a 60-yard touchdown to Larrone Moore for 179 yards. Elko threw for 197 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown to Donnell Dixon, on 11-of-24 passing. Brown connected on 6-of-9 passes for 77 yards.
On the ground, the Hornets registered 147 yards on 24 carries. James Rosseau registered a scrimmage-high 29-yard rush, while Tahree McQueen rattled off a run for 16 yards.
The DSU defense was highlighted by Matt Spicer, who picked off a deep pass by Brown and registered a sack.
The first scrimmage was also a good test for the DSU offensive line, which returns four starters. The "Boss Hogs" as they refer to themselves, got a change to see full-contact action this afternoon. Looking to give DSU quarterbacks time and open holes for the Hornet's running game, the O-Line proved to be a big part of the team's 600 yards today. The offensive line led DSU to 1,501 yards on the ground in 2008 and will be look to improve on that total this year. Last year starters Nick Richmond, Kellen Kemp and Mike Maloney along with Nail Muradymov, Steven Steinbacher and Brandon Purnsley give DSU much needed depth and experience on the offensive line.
Below are selected quotes from today's practice.
AL LAVAN - HEAD COACH
"One of our goals coming into the season is to produce more big plays, and the offense was able to have some success in that area today. The quarterback play was pretty sharp, and we have some guys who can catch the ball and run with in. I thought the defense played with a lot of energy, but there were some missed tackles that resulted in a couple of big plays. Overall, I was pleased with our intensity on both sides of the ball. This is just the first step in a long process to get ready for the opener at Florida A&M in three weeks."
ADAM SHORTER - OFFENSIVE LINE COACH
"I think the guys are doing quite well so far. We have some experience along the line, especially the first unit. The young guys also put in some good work today. From my vantage point, it appeared the line held its own today. The guys were able to produce some big plays with the pass and the run. There were a couple of break downs, but overall not a bad effort for the first day of full contact. We have to keep the momentum going through camp as we prepare for opening day."
KELLEN KEMP - SENIOR GUARD
"I was pleased with our overall performance, but we still have a lot to work on. We'll look at the film with coach Shorter and look to build on this effort. It's important that we take care of the little things. We threw a lot more than we ran today. We tried to take advantage of what the defense gave us."
NAIL MURADYMOV - SOPHOMORE TACKLE
"I felt good about our effort. We were pretty successful at giving our quarterbacks time to throw. Coach Shorter has done a great job with the line. He's a good teacher, and everyone seems to be buying into his system. I'm sure he'll point our some things to us after looking at today's film."
DSU will take the field tomorrow (Aug. 16) at 7:30 a.m. for the team's first two-a-day practice of the season. The Hornets will begin the second session of the day at 3:00 p.m.
The team will have Monday off and will return to action on Tuesday (Aug. 18) morning at 7:30 a.m. for the team's second scrimmage (red zone scrimmage).
Delaware State will kick-off the 2009 season vs. MEAC rival Florida A&M on Sep. 5 in Tallahassee, Florida. The '09 slate also includes the first regular season meeting with the University of Delaware on Sep. 19 at UD Stadium in Newark, and a clash against the Michigan Wolverines on Oct. 17 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Tickets for the 2009 DSU football season can be purchased by calling (302) 857-TIXX or toll free at (866) 378-2845. Single-game tickets can also be purchased by logging on to the team's official website www.DSUHornets.com
