DELAWARE STATE HORNETS FOOTBALL-GAME 8
Hornets (3-4; 3-1 MEAC)
vs.
Hampton Pirates (2-5; 2-1)
Sat., Oct. 26, 2013 - 1:00 p.m.
Hampton, Va. (Armstrong Stadium)
The Game
Delaware State visits Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Hampton University in a battle of teams riding two-game win streaks and still alive in the conference race. The Hornets are 3-4 overall and 3-1 in the MEAC. DSU is coming off a 12-7 win over North Carolina A&T last weekend. The Hornets' defense came through again last week, holding NCA&T to 208 total yards, including 50 on the ground. The DSU defense has allowed a total of 65 yards rushing in the last two games. Also, North Carolina A&T was one-for-14 on third down conversions in last week's contest.
Mitchell Ward kicked two field goals, including a career-best 43-yarder and Lamar Shaw capped off a 15-play, 70-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run to account for the Delaware State scoring last week, Milton Williams III had six catches for 100 yards in last week's contest.
After dropping its first five games, Hampton has bounced back to win its last two. The Pirates are coming off a 27-17 victory over rival Norfolk State last week. Quarterback Bryan Bailey completed 19-of-27 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown and Jorrian Washington rushed for 119 yards and a score to lead the Pirates' offense last week. The Pirate defense contributed with three interceptions vs. Norfolk State. The score was 17-17 when Hampton scored the go-ahead points on a field goal with 7:19 left to play. Washington scored a touchdown on a two-yard run with 2:14 left to seal the win.
The Series
This will be the 39th meeting between the Hornets and Pirates. Delaware State won the last contest, although Hampton holds a 24-14 lead in the series. The Hornets won the 2012 meeting 35-27 in Dover, Del. DSU racked up a season-high 512 total yards against the Pirates last seaon, including 212 rushing, also a season-high. Malcolm Williams accounted for 113 of the Hornets' rushing yards in last year's contest against the Pirates The last time the teams met at Hampton, the Pirates posted a 42-6 victory in 2011. Delaware State threw six interceptions in the 2011 meeting, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Hornets In Thick of MEAC Race
Delaware State is still in the running for first place in the MEAC this season. The Hornets are currently third in the MEAC race at 3-1, trailing only Bethune-Cookman (3-0) and South Carolina State (3-0). SC State plays at Bethune-Cookman this Saturday, meaning one of those teams will suffer its first MEAC loss. Bethune-Cookman handed DSU its only conference loss (21-7) on Oct. 5. The Hornets do not play South Carolina State this season. Delaware State could move into sole possession of second place in the standings with a win at Hampton and a South Carolina State loss to Bethune-Cookman.
The Hornets are 3-1 in the MEAC for the second straight year, tying for the second-best four-game conference mark in team history.
Delaware State, a charter member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), is in its 43th season of league play. The Hornets have an all-time record of 127-145-1 in MEAC contests. Delaware State has won or shared six MEAC championships. The Hornets claimed outright MEAC titles in 1985, 1989 and 2007, while sharing the crown in 1987, 1988 and 1991. Delaware State was tied for third place in the MEAC with a 5-3 mark in 2012.
