Hampton, Va. (Oct. 26, 2013) – Delaware State's hopes to stay alive in the MEAC race suffered a serious blow in a 30-7 setback to Hampton at Armstrong Stadium this afternoon. The loss snapped a two-game win streak for the Hornets, who fell to 3-5 overall and 3-2 in the MEAC. The Pirates won their third in a row to improve to 3-5 and 3-1. DSU was in third place in the league standings entering the contest.
Hampton used two big second half plays to break open a close contest. The Pirates were ahead 10-7 at the half.
Hampton opened up a double-digit lead when Jorrian Washington scored a touchdown on a 79-yard run on their first possession of the second half. The extra point kick by Anthony Prevost gave the Pirates a 17-7 lead with 11:53 left in the third quarter.
Delaware State trailed 23-7 when Hampton quarterback Bryan Bailey connected with wide receiver Twarn Mixson on a 75-yard touchdown pass with 3:20 left to play.
The Hornets were outscored 20-0 in the second half.
Hampton took advantage of two Delaware State turnovers to open up a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.
Seven plays after Delaware State quarterback Cory Murphy threw his first of two interceptions, Prevost kicked a 28-yard field goal to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead with 5:12 left in the opening quarter.
On the Hornets' next possession, a Murphy fumble on a sack by Hampton's Miles Grooms was recovered by the Pirates at the Delaware State nine yard line. Three plays later, Morris Brailsford scored on a one-yard run for the game's first touchdown. The extra point kick by Prevost gave the Pirates a 10-0 lead with 2:56 remaining in the first quarter.
Delaware State executed its “two-minute offense” to perfection for the second straight week to score right before the half.
Murphy capped off a 15-play, 90-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Milton Williams III with less than a minute to play in the second quarter. The three-minute-11-second drive was highlighted by a fourth down 23-yard pass from Murphy to Bo Ceravolo to the Hampton 15. Murphy completed six passes for 58 yards during the drive.
Mitchell Ward's 42nd straight extra point kick pulled the Hornets to within 10-7 with 49 second left before halftime.
Delaware State second-string quarterback Osayah Obado entered the game in the third quarter after Murphy threw his second interception of the game. Murphy completed 19-of-37 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown; but was picked off twice and lost a fumble.
Obado, making his third appearance of the season, was 5-for-15 for 52 yards. He was under heavy pressure by the Pirates; and sacked four times.
Hampton had a total of six sacks in the contest, the high for a DSU opponent this season.
Delaware State had 20 first downs, compared to 11 for Hampton; but the Pirates outgained the Hornets 365-to-254.
Hampton rushed for 225 yards, while holding the Hornets to 42. Washington led all players with 127 yards rushing on 14 carries for the Pirates.
Delaware State receiver Malik Golson led all players with nine catches for 80 yards.
Linebacker Elbie Williams led the Hornets with nine tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Defensive back Cory Scott had eight tackles, including six solo stops for DSU.
J.R. Robinson and Joe Boyd had interceptions for the Hornets, the second of the year for each. DSU has a least one interception in each of the last three games.
Delaware State had four turnovers in the contest.
The Hornets return to action next Saturday at home against Howard. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium. Delaware State will honor its 2013 Athletics Hall-of-Fame class at halftime of the contest.
STINGERS
Delaware State free safety Davon Moore missed his second straight game due to a knee injury … Golson's nine catches tied his career high … the Hornets held a 37:03-to-22:57 advantage in time of possession.
