Dover, Del. (Aug. 3, 2012) ---  The 2012 Delaware State University football team begins preseason camp next week. Hornet second-year head coach Kermit Blount expects about 85 players, including more than 50 returning letter winners, to report for camp.

Blount is eagerly anticipating his second preseason camp in Dover. Joining the Hornets just days before the beginning of the 2011 recruit signing period and weeks before the start of spring camp, DSU managed just three wins (3-8 overall; 1-7 MEAC) in his first season with the team.    

Despite the record, the Hornets showed noticeable improvement on the field last season. DSU closed out the 2011 campaign with a 39-36 win over Howard, which featured one of the nation's stingiest defenses entering the contest. The Hornets racked up 412 total yards, including 324 passing during the game. The Bison were third among all FCS schools in pass defense (141.3 ypg) and fourth in total defense (288.5 ypg) prior to the contest.

Delaware State was also the most disciplined team in the MEAC last year. The Hornets were No. 1 in the league in fewest penalties (67) and penalty yards (570) in 2011.

With more than a year at DSU under his belt, Blount is hoping to put an even bigger imprint on the team in 2012.

"Last year was a challenge because the staff wasn't as familiar with our personnel and we had to spend a great deal of time teaching new offensive and defensive systems," he said. "Now that we have a year under our belts and a full recruiting class in place, we can spend more time on player development and execution."

The Hornets expect to return eight offensive starters this season. Quarterback Nick Elko (r-sr.) returns after completing 207 of 362 passes (57.2%) for 2,064 yards in his first season as a starter in 2011. Elko threw for 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions; and was second in the MEAC in passing average (206.4 ypg) and sixth in total offense (193.5 ypg) last season.

Elko enters his senior season as No. 4 on the Hornets' all-time list for pass completions (281) and pass attempts (499); tied for No. 5 in touchdown passes (22); No. 6 in passing yards (2,930); and No. 11 in total offense (2,856 yards). He has the fourth, sixth and seventh-best single-game passing yardage totals in team history.

The Hornets also return wide receiver Travis Tarpley (r-sr.), who was tops among all MEAC players in all-purpose yards at 144.2 per game in 2011. Tarpley set DSU single-season (66) and single-game (13) receiving marks last year. He was tops on the Hornets with 736 receiving yards and second on the team with 148 rushing yards last season. Tarpley is also among the MEAC's top kickoff and punt returners.

Fellow receiver Justin Wilson (sr.) also returns after catching 54 passes for 563 yards and six touchdowns in eight games in 2011. Wilson, the 2011 MEAC Preseason Player-of- the-Year missed three games last season due to an ankle injury. He enters the 2012 season as No. 5 on the Hornets' career receptions list (122) and No. 8 in receiving yards (1600).

Delaware State returns five offensive linemen with starting experience, which should be a boost to a running game that ranked among the worst among all Football Championship Subdivision teams last season. 

Speedy running backs Malcolm Williams (jr.) and Josh Bailey (sr.) are expected to get the bulk of the carries for the Hornets this season. Bailey is the top returning rusher from last season (192), while Williams was the team's most effective runner during 2012 spring drills.

On defense, the Hornets must replace their two leading tacklers from last season, linebackers Quentin Ferguson and Brandon Harvey.

The top returning tacklers from 2011 are inside linebacker Ernest Adjei (sr.) and defensive back Joe Boyd (so.). Adjei had total 59 tackles, including 35 solo stops, while Boyd tallied 53 tackles (38 unassisted) last season.

The defensive line should be a strength this season.

Right end Rodney Gunter (so.) is a rising star. Gunter competed in all 11 games as a true freshman in 2011. He was fifth on the Hornets with 39 total tackles (24 unassisted) and fifth with 4.5 tackles-for-loss (-19).

Nose guard George Bansah (sr.) will give the Hornets a strong presence up the middle, while left end Quintin Fortes (sr.) is among the team's most improved players.

Olusegun Ayanbiola (sr.), a former defensive end, is expected to compete full-time at linebacker this season. A fierce pass rusher, he has the athleticism to be a factor in the Hornets' pass coverage at the linebacker spot.

Another converted player, Nick Williams (jr.) will begin the season in the secondary for the first time. Williams, a former running back, was moved to cornerback midway through the 2011 season.

"Nick has all the tools to be an outstanding corner," says Delaware State defensive coordinator Mike Ketchum. "He has good instincts and is not afraid to take on a challenge."

Delaware State also returns experienced players at the punter and placekicker positions.

Punter Marko Kano (jr.) was fourth in the MEAC in punting average (38.4), while Ward hit 4-for-8 on field goal tries and 15-of-18 extra-point kicks in 2011.

Delaware State will kick off the 2012 season on Sep. 1 at home against Virginia Military Institute (VMI). The Youth Day/Military Appreciation Day contest kicks off at 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.  

On August 19, fans are invited to Alumni Stadium for "Meet the Hornets Day." Fans will be allowed on the field to meet the players and coaches, who will be available for pictures and sign autographs. The event will also include prizes and giveaways, including T-shirts for the first 100 youngsters age 14 and under.

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY 2012 FOOTBALL CAMP SCHEDULE
August 7-10
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.                         

August 11
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

August 13
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

August 14
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

August 15
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

August 16
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

August 17
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

August 18
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (scrimmage)

August 20
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

August 21
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

August 22
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

August 23
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

August 24
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.