DELAWARE STATE “HORNETS” (0-2; 0-0 MEAC)
VS. CHOWAN “HAWKS ” (1-1; 0-0 CIAA)
SAT., SEP. 19, 2015 (2 p.m.)
ALUMNI STADIUM (7,000) - DOVER, DEL.
LIVE VIDEO STREAMING/LIVE STATS: DSUHORNETS.COM
THE GAME
Delaware State welcomes Chowan University of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to Alumni Stadium for the Hornets' 2015 home opener. DSU (0-2; 0-0 MEAC) is trying to bounce back from a 45-13 loss to FBS Kent State last Saturday. The Hornet offense was unable to get on track in the contest, recording negative total yardage in the game. 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. The Hornets scored each of their two touchdowns on defense. Safety Kevin Jocelyn forced a fumble on a run and 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. Kent State led 45-6 when the Hornet defense scored for the second time in the game. Free safety Terrick Colston scooped up a KSU fumble 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. 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 pass break-up, to go along with his return for a touchdown. He was selected as the MEAC's Defensive Player-of-the-Week for the performance. Jocelyn was credited with eight tackles, including two for lost yardage, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. For the season, Harris is tops on the Hornets and second among all MEAC with 26 tackles in the season's first two weeks. Colston is second on the team and fourth in the league with 21 tackles. Offensively, Jamaal Jackson leads the Hornets with 60 yards rushing on 29 attempts. Quarterback Esayah Obado has completed 19-of-35 passes for 232 yards. He has thrown three interceptions and still seeking his first career touchdown pass. Malik Golson is DSU's leading receiver with seven catches for 74 yards.
Chowan (1-1; 0-0 CIAA) is coming off a 35-3 loss to Campbell last Saturday. The Hawks opened the season with a 41-31 victory over Fayetteville State. Chowan quarterback Randall Dixon is off to a hot start to the season, connecting on 38-of-55 passes (69.1%) for 376 yards. He has thrown four touchdowns and two interceptions. Dixon completed 27 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns in 33 attempts in the season-opening win at Fayetteville State. Tyree Lee is the top rusher for the Hawks, collecting 137 yards and a touchdown on 42 carries this season. He's also tied for the team lead with nine receptions (77 yards) and two touchdown catches. Wide receiver Kaine Lombard also has nine catches and leads the team with 104 receiving yards. On the other side of the ball, defensive back Cornell Duncan leads the Hawks with 16 total tackles (10 solo), including two backfield stops. Fellow defensive back Roderick Lindsey has 13 tackles (eight unassisted) and a team-high three pass break-ups. Vincente' Stafford has 12 tackles, including two behind the line-of-scrimmage, and an interception.
Chowan is the first non-historically Black institution to join the CIAA, the nation's oldest HBCU conference (established in 1912). The Hawks joined the league in 2008.
THE SERIES (First meeting)
This will be the first meeting between the teams. Chowan is Delaware State's first Div. II and CIAA opponent since a win over Shaw in 2011.
HOME OPENERS
Since 1980, Delaware State is 23-12 in home openers. The Hornets are trying to snap a two-game losing streak in home openers, falling to Bethune-Cookman (2013) and Towson (2014) the last two years. DSU won six straight home opening games from 1982 to '87.
CAPTAINS UP FOR GRABS
Rather than select captains for the season, the Delaware State coaching staff plans to appoint captains for each game this year. We will name captains for each contest, based on game and practice performance, attitude, classroom and off-the-field activities,. said DSU head coach Kenny Carter. QB Esayah Obado and DL Gabe Sherrod were captains vs. Kent State last week.
