Kent, OH (Sep. 12, 2015) --- Delaware State never got on track offensively, totaling negative yardage for the game, in a 45-13 loss to FBS Kent State in a steady rain at Dix Stadium this evening. The Hornets scored both of their touchdowns on defense, while the Golden Flashes racked up 492 yards in the contest.
“All I can say is Kent State had great plans on offense, defense and special teams, and executed them extremely well,” said Delaware State first-year head coach Kenny Carter. “We have a long way to go, but I promise the players and coaches will give everything we have to turn things around. There's still plenty to play for, including our home opener (vs. Chowan) next week the entire MEAC schedule.”
Delaware State had just one first down, compared to 25 for KSU. The Hornets failed to convert a first down on 10 third-down tries, and possessed the ball for just 18-minutes-53 seconds.
Kent State (1-1) took advantage of good starting field position to draw first blood midway through the first quarter. Five plays after starting a drive at the DSU 42, Colin Reardon connected with Antwan Dixon on a 20-yard pass for the game's first touchdown. The Golden Flashes converted a two-point pass from George Bollas to Brice Fackler following the touchdown to go ahead 8-0 with 8:20 left in the opening quarter.
Kent State scored the game's second touchdown on a Delaware State turnover late in the first quarter. Nate Terhune recovered a fumble on a mishandled Delaware State snap in the endzone with 1:45 to go in the quarter. The Golden Flashes converted another two-point play, on a run by Bollas, to stretch their lead to 16-0.
Another turnover by the Hornets put Kent State in excellent position for its third touchdown of the game. Trayion Durham scored on a one-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal to cap off a drive that began after Nate Holley returned an Obado interception to the DSU three yard line. The Golden Flashes failed on a two-point pass following the touchdown to keep their lead at 22-0 with 11:38 remaining in the second quarter.
Delaware State got its first defensive score of the game to get on the board. Hornet safety Kevin Jocelyn forced a fumble on a run by Kent State's Miles Hibbler. DSU cornerback William Burton picked the ball out of the air and ran 35 yards to the endzone for a touchdown to cut the Golden Flashes' lead to 22-6 at the 8:58 mark of the second quarter. The Hornets failed on a two-point attempt after mishandling a pitch following the touchdown.
Kent State answered DSU's score with one of its own on the ensuing possession. Bollas, a back-up quarterback, capped off a nine -play, 60-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run to pad the Golden Flashes' lead. For the first time in the game, Kent State kicked the extra point. April Goss, the second female player in major college football history, converted the kick to give KSU a 29-6 lead with 4:30 left in the second quarter.
Kent State marched nearly the length of the field to add another touchdown just before halftime.
Reardon hooked up with Nick Holley on an 18-yard touchdown pass to complete a nine-play, 91-yard drive. The big play in the march was a 44-yard run out of punt formation by Terhune to the DSU 18. The extra point kick by Shane Hynes gave the Golden Flashes a 36-6 lead at the break.
Kent State led 45-6 when the Hornet defense scored for the second time in the game.
DSU free safety Terrick Colston scooped up a fumble by Bollas and darted 72 yards to the endzone with 7:18 left to play. It was the fourth career touchdown for Colston, who has also returned two interceptions and a blocked punt for scores.
The Hornets were credited with minus-38 yards rushing on 28 attempts. The figure included negative 46 yards on seven sacks by the Kent State defense.
DSU completed just three-of-10 passes for a total of five yards.
Defensively, linebacker Malik Harris led the Hornets in tackles for the second straight week, recording a career-high 15 (eight solo), including 2.5 behind the line-of-scrimmage.
Colston also had 15 tackles (seven unassisted), a forced fumble and a pass break-up, to go along with his return for a touchdown.
Jocelyn was credited with eight tackles, including two for lost yardage, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Delaware State returns to action next Sat. (Sep. 19) for its home opener Chowan University. The Hall-of-Fame Day contest begins at 2 p.m. at Alumni Stadium. DSU's 2015 Athletic Hall-of-Fame inductees, including its 1970 and 1985 football teams, will be honored at halftime of the contest.
STINGERS
The last time Delaware State scored two defensive touchdowns in a game was Sep. 2, 2006 when Stephon Hopkins returned a fumble and Russell Reaves an interception for TDs in a 34-14 win over Florida A&M in Detroit, Mich. … The Hornets fell to 0-3 vs. Kent State and 1-5 all-time against FBS (formerly Div. I-A) opponents.
