2015 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL — GAME 7 (#DSUvsSCSU, #DSUHC15)
DELAWARE STATE “HORNETS” (0-6; 0-3 MEAC)
VS.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE “BULLDOGS” (3-3; 2-1 MEAC)
SAT., OCT. 24, 2015 (2 p.m.)
ALUMNI STADIUM (7,000) - DOVER, DEL.
HOMECOMING
2015 DSU Media Guide (online): Click here
Live Audio Streaming: Click here
Live Video Streaming: Click here
Live Stats: Click here
DSU Sports Update (coach Carter interview): Click here
THE GAME
Delaware State welcomes long-time MEAC rival South Carolina State to Alumni Stadium in the annual homecoming contest for the Hornets. DSU remained winless this season after a 41-13 MEAC loss to Florida A&M last weekend. Jamaal Jackson rushed for two touchdowns, but the Hornets were plagued by five turnovers and 14 penalties for 137 yards in the contest. Florida A&M scored 20 unanswered points to take control of the game after the Hornets tied the score at 7-7 on Jackson's a second quarter touchdown run. The Rattlers scored 31 of their points following DSU turnovers. Aris Scott had a career-high 12 catches, one shy of the Hornets' single game record, for 89 yards. He has 19 receptions for 229 yards in the last two games to lead the Hornets with 24 catches for 338 yards this season. Scott is third in the MEAC in receptions this year. Gil Rivera played the entire game at quarterback for the Hornets. He completed 23-of-39 passes for 198 yards, but threw three interceptions and was sacked three times. For the season, Rivera has connected on 41-of-73 passes (56.2%) for 440 yards and a touchdown. Jackson has 291 rushing yards to go along with his four touchdowns this season, each a team high. Defensively, linebacker Malik Harris leads the Hornets with 65 tackles, including 37 solo stops. Defensive back Terrick Colston has 56 tackles (32 solo), an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery this season. Lineman Gabe Sherrod leads the Hornets with 11.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
South Carolina State is coming off a 49-10 win over Howard last Saturday. The Bulldogs returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the first 7:21 of the game and never looked back. SC State quarterback Caleb York completed 13-of-22 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Mykal Moody caught three passes for 107 yards, highlighted by a 67-yard touchdown in the game. York is second in the MEAC in passing yards at 185.2 per game. His season statistics include 92 completions on 163 pass attempts (56.4%) for 1111 yards and six touchdowns. Moody is sixth in the league in receptions with 22 (3.7 pg) and ninth in reception yards at 266 (44.3 pg). The South Carolina State defense is led by senior lineman Javon Hargrave, the Preseason MEAC Defensive Player-of-the-Year. This season, Hargrave is fourth on the team with 31 tackles, including 21 unassisted. He also has 8.5 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks, and five quarterback hurries. The Hargrave-led Bulldog defense is tops in the MEAC and ninth among all FCS schools in total defense at 288.2 yards per game. SC State also leads the league in pass defense (123.5 ypg), scoring defense (15.3 ppg), sacks (3.17 pg) and tackles for loss (9.5 pg).
THE SERIES
The Hornets and Bulldogs are meeting for the 43rd time since the series began when the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference was established in 1971. The teams last met in 2012 at Alumni Stadium. Delaware State posted a 31-17 victory in the contest to snap a four-game SC State win streak in the series. DSU's Nagee Jackson rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Terrick Colston returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown for the Hornets in the last meeting between the teams. The Bulldogs hold a 26-16 lead in the series.
