Dover, Del. (Oct. 5, 2013) --- Delaware State played even with nationally-ranked Bethune-Cookman for nearly three quarters, but the Hornets gave up two late touchdowns in a 21-7 loss to the Wildcats in DSU's home opener at Alumni Stadium this afternoon.
Bethune-Cookman, ranked 21st in the latest SportsNetwork Top 25 FCS poll, was Delaware State's third nationally-ranked opponent in the last four weeks.
The Hornets, playing home for the first time after opening the season with four straight road games, drew first blood in the contest. Quarterback Cory Murphy (sr.; Santa Clara, Cal.) connected with Malik Golson (r-fr.; Dover, Del.) on a seven-yard touchdown pass to cap off an 11-play, 69-yard drive with 6:48 left in the first quarter. Murphy completed five-of-seven passes during the five-minute-21-second drive, including first down completions of 17 yards to Milton Williams III (jr.; Washington, D.C.) and 18 yards to Bo Ceravolo (r-so.; Venice, Fla.). Nagee Jackson (so,; Gainesville, Ga.) had a 15-yard run and Malcolm Williams (jr.; Reading, Pa.) broke off an 11-yard run during the drive. Mitchell Ward connected on his 39th straight extra point to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead.
The touchdown was DSU's first in the opening quarter of a game this season.
Bethune-Cookman used a 10-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game in the second quarter. Anthony Jordan capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 with 9:14 left in the second quarter. The key play in the drive was a 30-yard pass from Jackie Wilson to Eddie Poole to the DSU 42 yard line.
The Wildcats drove to the Delaware State 31 later in the second quarter, but Wilson was sacked for a nine-yard loss on a fourth down play.
The score was 7-7 at the half.
The Wildcats took advantage of a Delaware State turnover to take the lead. Six plays after the Hornets lost a fumble at midfield, BCU quarterback Quentin Williams rushed for a 31-yard touchdown on a fourth-down-and-one play with 6:02 left in the third quarter.
BCU added an insurance touchdown on a 15-yard pass from Williams to Poole with 4:40 left in the fourth quarter.
Murphy, the MEAC's top passer, completed 19-of-33 throws for 213 yards; but was intercepted twice. The Hornets committed three turnovers in the contest, while Bethune-Cookman was turnover free.
Wilson and Williams combined to complete 14-of-19 passes for 168 yards for the Wildcats.
BCU, the MEAC's top rushing team, ran for 241 of its 409 total yards. Delaware State was held to 223 total yards, including 10 on the ground. The Hornets lost 36 yards on four Wildcat sacks.
Delaware State's defense recorded five sacks of its own for minus-45 yards. The Hornets have 11 sacks in the last two games. Rodney Gunter (jr.; Lake Hamilton, Fla.) was credited with 1.5 sacks, giving him three in the last two games.
DSU's Davon More (jr.; Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) led all players with 13 tackles (nine unassisted).
The Hornets return to action next Saturday against Norfolk State in the annual homecoming contest. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
