Cincinnati, OH (Sep. 15, 2012) --- Delaware State forced six turnovers and trailed by just 13 points early in the fourth quarter, but came up short in a 23-7 loss to major college Cincinnati, the defending Big East Conference champs, at Nippert Field Saturday evening.
The Hornets dropped their second straight game to fall to 1-2. The Bearcats improved to 2-0. It was the first meeting between the teams.
Delaware State trailed 20-7 after Malcolm Williams put the Hornets on the scoreboard for the first time with a 60-yard touchdown run with 11:41 left to play. It was the longest rushing touchdown by a Hornet since a 63-yard scoring run by Kareem Jones in 2007. Williams rushed for 120 yards in the contest, the first 100-yard game by a DSU player since Jaashawn Jones ran for 114 vs. Morgan State on Oct. 23, 2010.
After the DSU touchdown, Cincinnati failed to score on its next possession; but Bearcat punter Pat O'Donnell gave the Hornets poor field position with a 32-yard kick to the Delaware State four-yard line.
Each team lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. Delaware State's turnover resulted in an 18-yard field goal by Cincy's Tony Miliano to close out the scoring with 54 seconds left to play.
"It's disappointing that we could not take advantage of the turnovers, but give Cincinnati for battling to keep us from scoring off those breaks," said Delaware State head coach Kermit Blount. "We are not into moral victories. This is a tough defeat because we had some opportunities on offense and defense but failed to capitalize at key times. Still, I'm proud of our effort and looking forward to beginning MEAC play against Florida A&M next weekend."
Cincinnati, running a no-huddle, hurry-up offense, opened the scoring with a 10-play, 65-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter. Jameel Poteat capped off the 3-minute-35 second drive with a one-yard scoring run to give the Bearcats a 6-0 lead with 3:35 left in the first quarter. Miliano missed the extra point kick following the touchdown.
The Bearcats scored on the final play of the first quarter on an 8-yard pass from Munchie Legaux to wide receiver Anthony McClung to cap off a four-play, 46-yard drive. Miliano added the extra point to give the Bearcats a 13-0 lead.
Cincy appeared headed for a three-touchdown lead, but Delaware State's defense forced a turnover in the nick of time. McClung was one yard away from the endzone on a 36-yard pass from Legaux, but the ball was knocked loose on a hit by Hornet cornerback Jermond Colston. The ball rolled out of the endzone for a touchdown, giving DSU the ball at the Cincinnati 20.
The Hornets drove to the Bearcat 45 following the turnover, but the drive ended when Arryn Chenault intercepted a Nick Elko pass at the Cincinnati 30.
The Bearcats opened up a 20-0 lead on a touchdown with 3:03 left in the second quarter. The 12-play, 70-yard scoring drive was capped off by an 11-yard TD pass from Legaux to Damon Julian.
Elko completed 18 of 36 passes for 151 yards. He was intercepted twice in the contest. DSU's Travis Tarpley led all players with nine catches for 75 yards. Hornet linebacker Ernest Adjei had a game-high 13 tackles, matching his career high.
Defensive backs Cameren Judge and Davon Moore had interceptions for the Hornets. DSU also recovered four Cincinnati fumbles in the contest.
The six Cincinnati turnovers were the most by a DSU opponent since Howard coughed up the ball six times in a 10-6 loss to the Hornets in 2008.
Cincinnati's George Winn led all players with 147 yards rushing on 24 carries. Legaux completed 20 of 27 passes for 208 yards, but was intercepted twice. He was held to 25 yards rushing by the Hornets after running for more than 100 yards in the Bearcat's 34-10 win over Pittsburgh in their season opener on Sep. 6.
Delaware State will return to action next Saturday at home against Florida A&M in the MEAC opener for the Hornets. Game time is 6:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
