Dover, Del. (Oct. 18, 2014) --- North Carolina A&T scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in the first 22 minutes en route to a 33-20 MEAC win over Delaware State in the Hornets' homecoming contest at Alumni Stadium this afternoon.

The Aggies won for the fifth time in the last six games to improve to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the MEAC. The Hornets fell to 2-6 and 2-2.

North Carolina A&T led 30-0 before Delaware State scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. DSU's first touchdown, a two-yard run by Lamar Shaw with 9:15 left to play, snapped an 11-quarter scoring drought by the Hornet offense.

The Aggies used a long march on its first possession of the game to open the scoring.

Marquell Cartwright capped off a 12-play, 93-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run to put NCA&T on the board first. Aggie quarterback Hasaan Klugh completed five-of-six passes for 57 yards during the four-minute-55 second drive. The extra point kick by Cody Jones gave the visitors a 7-0 lead with 6:06 left in the opening quarter.    

North Carolina A&T stretched its lead on the seventh special teams touchdown allowed by the Hornets this season.

Delaware State was forced to punt from its 48 on its second possession of the game. The punt by Jeremiah McGeough was blocked by NCA&T's D'Vonte Grant. Jerome Beatty recovered the ball in the endzone to give the Aggies a two-touchdown lead with 2:38 left in the first quarter.

It was the fourth blocked punt for a touchdown allowed by DSU this season. Hornet opponents have also scored three touchdowns on punt returns this year.

North Carolina A&T was ahead 17-0 when defensive end Angelo Keyes picked off a pass by DSU quarterback Marlon Kelly and ran 55 yards untouched to the endzone for the Aggies' third touchdown. The extra point gave North Carolina A&T a 24-0 lead with 7:18 left in the second quarter.

Jones booted a 28-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 29-yarder in the fourth to give the Aggies a 30-0 lead. The Aggie kicker nailed four field goals in the contest. His longest was 43 yards to give his team a 33-14 lead in the fourth quarter.

Delaware State showed signs of life early in the fourth quarter to break its offensive scoring drought. Jamaal Jackson broke off a career-best 48-yard run to the Aggie 17. After a North Carolina A&T penalty moved the ball to the two yard line, Shaw scored his second touchdown of the season on a two-yard run to get the Hornets on the board.

It was DSU's first offensive score since a late fourth quarter touchdown in its 35-10 win over Savannah State on Sep. 27.

After a North Carolina A&T fumble on the ensuing possession, Delaware State needed just one play for its second touchdown of the game.

Gilbert Rivera connected with Milton Williams III on an 11-yard touchdown pass after the Aggie turnover to raise the hopes of Hornet fans. The extra point by Mitchell Ward pulled the Hornets to within 30-14 with 9:11 left to play. Williams has four touchdown catches this season and 10 in his career.    

Delaware State's defense forced a three-and-out on the Aggies' next possession, but the Hornets failed to take advantage when a muffed punt return by Malik Golson resulted in a turnover.

The Hornets committed four turnovers in the contest, three on interceptions. NCA&T turned the ball over five times, including four lost fumbles.  

Delaware State closed out the scoring when Rivera hit wide receiver Marquel Knight for an 18-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game. It was Knight's first career touchdown. He led the Hornets with six receptions for a game-high 66 yards.

The Hornets had just 13 fewer total yards than the Aggies in the contest.

North Carolina A&T had 290 total yards, compared to 277 for DSU.

Aggie sophomore running back Tarik Cohen rushed for a game-high 144 yards on 36 carries.

Delaware State halfback Jamaal Jackson had a career-high 100 yards rushing on 18 attempts.  

Hornet safety Davon Moore led all players with a career-high 16 tackles, including seven solo stops. Linebacker Alex Perry had nine tackles (six unassisted), a fumble recovery, forced fumble and a sack.

Delaware State's Terrick Colston had his fourth interception of the season in the third quarter. He has picked off a pass in each of the last four games.    

The Hornets return to action next Saturday at home against MEAC rival Hampton. The Breast Cancer Awareness Day contest begins at 2 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.