Dover, Del. (Nov. 13, 2021) --- Trey Gross couldn't have written a better script for his final home game. The Delaware State senior wideout was on the receiving end of a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jared Lewis on fourth down-and-five with 1:53 left to play to complete a 26-point comeback, propelling the Hornets to a stunning 28-26 victory over Norfolk State in a MEAC thriller at Alumni Stadium today.
Delaware State trailed 26-0 before scoring 28 points in the last 24 minutes to complete the second biggest comeback in modern team history. The Hornets erased a 28-point fourth quarter deficit in a 39-38 victory at Liberty in 1990 for the biggest come-from-behind win in team history.
"This is the greatest win in my coaching career, and I couldn't be more proud of our players and coaches for never giving up in this game," said Hornet head coach Rod Milstead, who was a starting guard on the 1990 squad that rallied to beat Liberty. "Everyone had a hand in the win but our play makers on offense and defense really stepped up to lead the way."
Norfolk State opened up a 26-0 lead on a three-yard pass from Juwan Carter to Justin Smith with 1:50 to go before halftime.
Delaware State was scoreless until Sy'Veon Wilkerson capped off an eight-play, 75 yard drive with an eight-yard run to get the Hornets on the board.  The extra point kick by Matt Noll cut the deficit to 19 points (26-7) at the 8:45 mark of the third quarter.
The Hornets drew closer when Lewis connected with running back Wade Inge on a 47-yard catch and run for a touchdown to pull DSU to within 26-14 after the extra point with 12:48 left to play.
Lewis and Inge hooked up again more than five minutes later on a 17-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-12 with 7:08 left in the game. Norfolk State's lead was cut to 26-21 after Noll's extra point.
On the ensuing Norfolk State possession, the Spartans gained 24 yards on six plays, chewing up nearly four minutes, before being forced to punt.
The Hornets received the ball at their own 28 yard line with 3:10 left to play following the punt.
Lewis completed a 26 yard pass to senior Kwannah Kollie to the Norfolk State 46 on the second play of the possession. The pair hooked up again on the next play, picking up another 11 yards to the Spartan 35.
After netting just five yards on the next three plays, the Hornets called time out before facing  fourth down-and-five.
Gross made the catch along the left side of the endzone, setting off a wild celebration on the DSU sideline.
Gross had three catches for 64s yards in the game, giving him 143 receptions for 1,995 yards in his career. The touchdown catch was his career-best ninth of the season and 25^th overall at DSU.
There was still 1:53 left on the clock following Delaware State's go-ahead score, but Norfolk State never regained the ball again because the line drive kickoff by DSU's Jake Bridell hit a Spartan player and the live ball was recovered by the Hornets, who ran off the remaining time.
"I really didn't want to lose my last home game," said Gross. "I'm so proud that no one gave up when we were down and everyone contributed to this win."
Lewis completed 11 of 22 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns, although he was intercepted twice.   
Inge had three catches for 68 yards and Kollie hauled in three passes for 66.
Norfolk State quarterback Juwan Carter, the 2021 MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, completed 13 of 23 throws for 125, but was intercepted by DSU's Charles Peeler and Romell Harris-Freeman in the game.
 The Hornets improved to 5-5 overall and 2-2 in the MEAC with the win. A victory in their season finale at North Carolina Central next Sat. (Nov. 20) would give DSU its first winning season since 2013 (6-5).