Dover, Del. (Oct. 8, 2011) --- The return of MEAC Preseason Offensive Player-of-the-Year Justin Wilson provided a spark to Delaware State University's passing attack but it was not enough to prevent 38-21 loss to Norfolk State at Alumni Stadium this afternoon.
The Hornets dropped their fourth straight game to fall to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The league-leading Spartans improved to 5-1 and 3-0.
Norfolk State quarterback Chris Walley completed 28-of-36 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns to propel the Spartans' 526-yard attack. NSU's Takeem Hedgeman rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns while receiver Xavier Boyce had 10 catches for 124 yards and a score.
Delaware State QB Nick Elko connected on 30-of-48 passes for 339 yards, each a career-high. Elko also tied his career-best with three touchdown passes.
Darius Jackson tied a school record for receptions in a game for the third time in his career. Jackson had 11 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He also hauled in 11 passes against Howard in 2009 and on Sep. 10 of this season vs. Shaw.
Wilson had a career-high 10 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown. He missed the Hornets' previous three games due to an ankle injury on Sep. 10. During his absence, the Hornets totaled just seven points and 316 yards passing.
Jackson and Wilson are the first Delaware State players with 100-plus receiving yards in a game since Jackson (123) and Larrone Moore (101) accomplished the feat against Howard in 2009.
Elko's 339 passing yards also tied for the fourth-best single game mark in team history.
Norfolk State scored first when Hedgeman ran for a 58-yard touchdown 4:11 into the game. Walley connected with Victor Hairston on a 22-yard scoring pass, and rushed for a six-yard touchdown to give the Spartans a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The Hornets trailed 24-0 when Elko and Wilson hooked up on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 36 seconds left in the first half.
After the Spartans stretched their lead to 31-7, Jackson scored his first touchdown on a seven-yard pass from Elko to pull the Hornets to within 31-14 with 14:44 left in the fourth quarter.
Elko and Jackson struck again on a 10-yard touchdown to cut Norfolk State's lead to 31-21 with 7:28 remaining in the game.
The Spartans added an insurance touchdown on a five-yard run by Hedgeman with 3:01 left.
Delaware State continued its struggles with the running game. The Hornets rushed for just 28 yards on 25 carries. Norfolk State racked up 199 rushing yards on 32 attempts.
DSU linebacker Quentin Ferguson led all players with 10 tackles. He also had a fumble recovery.
The Hornets return to action next Saturday (Oct. 15) at North Carolina A&T. Game time is 1:30 p.m. in Greensboro, N.C.
