DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL - WEEK 2
Hornets (1-0) at #15 Delaware (1-0)
Sat., Sep. 8, 2012 - 3:30 p.m.
Delaware Stadium (Tubby Raymond Field) - Newark, Del.
National TV - NBC Sports Network
Audio - SFMSports.Net (College Sports/Delaware State)
THE GAME
First State bragging rights are on the line as the Hornets visit FCS power Delaware at Tubby Raymond Field. Each team opened the 2012 season with home victories last week. Delaware State scored a late touchdown to defeat VMI 17-10 last Saturday. Quarterback Nick Elko capped off a nine-play, 55-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run for the winning score with 45 seconds left to play. It was Elko's first career rushing touchdown.
VMI drove to the Delaware State 38-yard line on the game's final possession, but Erik Kordenbrock's desperation pass was intercepted by DSU's Ronald Robinson in the endzone as time expired.
Delaware State led 10-0 at halftime, but VMI scored a touchdown in the third quarter and added a field goal with 2:35 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
Delaware, ranked 15th in the latest Sports Network and FCS Coaches polls, posted a 41-21 victory over long-time rival West Chester in its opener on Aug. 30. Sophomore quarterback Trent Hurley threw for 310 yards in his Blue Hen debut and sophomore wide receiver Michael Johnson scored twice
To lead the Hens in the contest. Hurley, a transfer from Bowling Green, completed 24-of-35 passes, including three touchdowns. Rob Jones had six receptions for 101 yards, including two touchdowns (9, 63). Johnson had a 19-yard touchdown catch and a 19-yard scoring run. The Hens racked up 487 total yards in the contest.
THE SERIES
This will be the fourth meeting between the state's lone Division I teams. Each of the previous games were played at Delaware Stadium. The Hens have won the previous meetings by a combined score of 116-24. The Hens won the last meeting 45-0 on Sep. 17, 2011. Quarterback Tim Donnelly completed 13 of 14 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, while running backs Andrew Pierce and Walter Davis each went over the 100-yard mark to lead the Hens' 512 offensive attack in last year's contest. UD's Nihja White had seven catches for 122 yards in the 2011 meeting against the Hornets. Delaware scored touchdowns on its first five possessions, including one on a fumble return, en route to a 35-0 lead at the half. The Hornets, playing without 2011 MEAC Preseason Player of the Year (WR) Justin Wilson (ankle injury), were held to -3 yards rushing and 112 total yards in the contest. DSU was also plagued by three turnovers. Quarterback Nick Elko completed 17-of-25 passes for 115 yards.
