2021 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL — GAME 10     
DELAWARE STATE "HORNETS" (4-5; 1-2 MEAC)
VS.                                                                                                                                               
NORFOLK STATE "SPARTANS"  (6-3; 2-1 MEAC)
SAT., NOV. 13, 2021 (1:05 p.m.)   
ALUMNI STADIUM  (6,800) - DOVER, DEL.   
Live Video: ESPN+                                                                                                                     
Live Audio - HSRN.com (DSU broadcast) 
 
THE GAME
Delaware State (4-5; 1-2 MEAC) looks to bounce back from a frustrating nationally-televised loss at Morgan State on Nov. 4, while also keeping hopes alive for the program's first winning season since 2013. The Hornets allowed two 70-plus-yard touchdowns in the opening minutes, and came up short on a potential game-winning drive on their final possession in a  20-4 loss to previously winless Morgan State in the last outing. DSU trailed 13-0 and 20-7 before attempting a comeback. The Hornets scored their touchdowns on a one-yard run by Michael Chris-Ike in the first quarter and a 39-yard pass from Jared Lewis to Trey Gross in the fourth quarter.   

Norfolk State (6-3; 2-1 MEAC) had its six-game winning streak snapped with their 38-36 double-overtime loss to North Carolina Central last Saturday. The Spartans led 21-0 before the Eagles stormed back. Norfolk State and NC Central are tied for second place behind South Carolina (4-0)  in the MEAC standings. The Spartans will host South Carolina State in the regular season finale for both teams next week.  North Carolina Central is at Howard this weekend.
 
THE HORNETS
Despite the loss to Morgan State in the last outing, Delaware State still leads the MEAC in total defense, based on yards allowed. The Hornets are No. 1 in the league in total defense, allowing 327.9 yards per game. The Hornets are giving up a league-low 123.1 yards per game rushing and rank second in the MEAC at 204.8 yards per game by the pass. DSU is tied with Norfolk State for first in the MEAC with 11 interceptions and second in the league with a 0.67 turnover margin per game (+6). The Hornets are tied for second in the league with 16 forced turnovers and has an league low 10 turnovers this season (7 lost fumbles; 3 INTs). DSU did not commit a turnover in each of the last two games. Defensive back Esaias Guthrie is tops in the conference with four interceptions and tied for second in the MEAC in passes defended at 0.89 per game (pass break-ups + INTs) per game. Linebacker Ronald Holmes (fr.) is tied for third in the MEAC in tackles for loss at 0.94 per game (8.5 total) and is seventh in the league with three sacks (0.33 pg). Linebacker Kamari Jackson (jr.) is tops on the Hornets and tied for 15th in the MEAC at 5.0 tackles per game (45 total). Isaiah Williams is fourth in the league with 3.5 sacks. Offensively, Delaware State is second in the MEAC in scoring at 22.4 points per game, but fifth in total offense at 282.8 yards per contest. DSU is averaging 143.7 rushing yards per game to rank second in the league, but sits at the bottom of the conference in passing at 139.0 yards per outing. Individually, Delaware State running back Sy'Veon Wilkerson (fr.)  has slipped to second behind Norfolk State's J.J. Davis in rushing at 81.3 yards per game (732 total). Davis has 739 yards rushing and an 82.1 yard average entering the weekend's games. Wilkerson has topped the 100-yard mark in two games, including a career-high 169 yards on a school-record 40 carries at Wagner on Oct. 2. Wilkerson has seven rushing touchdowns this year, trailing NSU's Davis and Kendrell Flowers of South Carolina State. DSU Quarterback Jared Lewis (so.) has completed 74 of 148 passes for 947 yards (50.0%)  with 13  touchdowns and two interceptions. Lewis ranks third in the MEAC in pass efficiency (130.0 rating) and sixth in passing yards per game (118.4). Wide receiver Trey Gross (sr.) is tops on the Hornets and tied for fourth in the MEAC with 34 catches (3.8 per game) and is sixth in the league with 436 receiving yards (48.4 per game). He also leads the MEAC with eight touchdown catches, which is also tied for the lead among all league players
 
THE SERIES (DSU leads 16-9)
This is the 26th meeting between the Hornets and Spartans. Norfolk State has won the last three meetings, although Delaware State holds a 16-9 lead in the series. The teams last met in 2019 at Delaware State. Norfolk State won the contest 33-17.  The Hornets and Spartans did not meet in 2020 or the spring of 2021 after the MEAC cancelled the '20 season due to pandemic, and the Spartans elected not to compete in the spring. In the last meeting between the teams in 2019, Norfolk State scored 23 unanswered points after trailing 10-0 en route to the victory. Norfolk State quarterback Juwan Carter completed 18-of-31 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the Spartans with 44 yards rushing on nine carries. Delaware State's Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (currently injured) led all players with 137 yards rushing on 25 carries, marking his third straight 100-yard game.