Greensboro, N.C. (Nov. 14,  2015) --- Delaware State stayed close to Mid-Eastern Athletic  Conference leader North Carolina A&T for three-and-half quarters before the Aggies pulled away for a 27-6 victory in a nationally-televised game today (ESPN3/ESPNU).

 NCA&T (9-1; 7-0 MEAC) won its eighth straight game to clinch at least a share of the MEAC title for the second straight year. The Aggies can clinch the championship outright with a win against North Carolina Central next week.

For the second straight week the Hornets were plagued by the failure to capitalize on several golden opportunities after obtaining good field position.

DSU had three turnovers and failed to score on three-of-four red zone opportunities.

The Hornets recovered a NCA&T fumble at the Aggie 19 in the first quarter, but lost a fumble themselves three plays later.

The Hornets also came up empty after starting possessions at the Aggies' 42 and 23 yard lines.   

Delaware State trailed 6-0 at the half and fell behind 13-0 on a third quarter touchdown by the Aggies.

The Hornets finally took advantage of a short field to score their lone touchdown of the game. Six plays after Sika Bendolph blocked a NCA&T punt to give DSU the ball at the Aggie 27, Brycen Alleyne scored on a four-yard run on a fourth down play to cut deficit to 13-6 with 9:02 left in the fourth quarter. The Hornets failed on a two-point pass attempt following the touchdown. The touchdown was Alleyne's fourth of the season, and third by the run.  

North Carolina A&T needed just 11 seconds to answer the DSU score. Ton McRae returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards to the endzone to give the Aggies a 20-6 lead.

NCA&T closed out the scoring on a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kylil Carter with 1:34 left to play.     

North Carolina A&T outgained the Hornets 341-to-174. The Aggies rushed for 217 yards, including 132 by Tarik Cohen, and passed for 124 yards.

Delaware State passed for 160 yards, but was held to 14 on the ground.

Freshman quarterback Kobie Lain played the entire second half for the Hornets after entering the game when starter Gil Rivera was injured. Lain connected on 10-of-18 passes for 144 yards, but was intercepted twice.

Aris Scot led the DSU receivers with four catches for 80 yards, highlighted by a 42-yard strike from Lain.

Safety Logan Wescott led the Hornet defense with eight tackles, each unassisted. Lineman Gabriel Sherrod had four solo tackles, three in the Aggie backfield for minus-12 yards.  Sherrod also forced a fumble and recorded his fourth block of the season on an extra point kick.

Delaware State fell to 0-10 overall and 0-7 in the MEAC. The Hornets will try to avoid a winless season when they host Howard in the 2015 finale next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.