Dover, Del. (Mar. 13, 2021) --- Delaware State's bid to start a season with two wins for the first time since 2011 and end a more than six-year road losing streak ended in a frustrating 17-9 loss to South Carolina State in a MEAC contest at Dawson Stadium this afternoon.
The Bulldogs (1-1; 1-0 MEAC) scored the last 10 points of the game after the Hornets took a 9-7 lead early in the second quarter.
SC State quarterback Corey Fields completed 20-of-28 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown pass, an 11-yarder to Tyrece Nick, gave the Bulldogs a 17-9 lead after the extra point with 3:19 left to play.
On Delaware State's final possession of the game starting with 3:13 remaining , the Hornets advanced to the SC State 35-yard line, but the drive ended on a fourth down incompletion at the Bulldog 20. Earlier in the possession, quarterback Jared Lewis completed a 10-yard pass to Trey Gross on fourth-and-nine to keep the drive alive. Lewis also completed a 17-yard pass to Kevin Medy during DSU's final possession.  
After driving to the Delaware State 10 on the opening possession of the game, but coming up empty due to a missed field goal, the Bulldogs, drew first blood the next time they had the ball.
Five plays after intercepting a Lewis pass at the DSU 25 on the Hornets' opening possession, South Carolina State's Kendral Flowers scored a one-yard plunge for the game's first score. The extra point kick gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 4:12 left in the first quarter.
The Hornets evened the game on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to a wide open Bizzett Woodley on third-and-five early in the second quarter. The touchdown capped off a six-play, 54-yard drive  that also included a 10-yard run by Wade Inge and a DSU first down on an offsides penalty by the Bulldogs. The extra point kick by Jose Romo-Martinez tied the score at 7-7 with 13:42 left in the second quarter.
The touchdown catch was the eighth for Woodley in 14 career games at DSU.
On the ensuing South Carolina State possession, the defense once again put points on the board for the Hornets. On third-and-10 from the SC State seven, Fields was tackled in the endzone by Hornet defensive back Daniel Douglas for a safety, giving Delaware State a 9-7 lead with 12:23 left in the second quarter.
The Hornets have recorded a safety in each of their two games this season. Special teams collected a safety in DSU's 17-10 win in the spring opener on Feb. 27. DSU's defense also scored on an interception return by Esaias Guthrie in the season opener against Howard.
Delaware State's two-point lead held up until Bulldog placekicker Dillon Bredsen booted a 22-yard field goal with 17 seconds to go before halftime to give SC State a 10-9 lead at the break.
The Bulldogs appeared to have a touchdown on the drive, but an official's review determined the runner was down at the one-yard line. The Hornet defensive took advantage of the opportunity by keeping SC State out of the endzone in three plays near the goal line to force the field goal try.
Delaware State still trailed 10-9 before threatening to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. The Hornets moved 54 yards on 11 plays to the SC State 12-yard line before the drive stalled. Thomas Bertrand-Hudon had 30 of his game-high 84 rushing yards and Lewis had an 18-yard run on a scramble during the drive. A potential go-ahead 29-yard field goal attempt by Romo-Martinez was blocked by the Bulldogs after a low and bobbled snap with 11:19 left to play.
On the ensuing SC State possession, the Bulldogs consumed eight minutes on their 14-play, 87-yard final touchdown drive.    
South Carolina State outgained DSU 341-223 in the contest. The Bulldogs rushed for 166 yards and passed for 175, while the Hornets ran for 117 and threw for 106.
Lewis played the entire game at quarterback for the Hornets after performing in relief in the opener against Howard. He completed 13 of 25 passes for 106 yards and rushed for a net-24 yards on 12 attempts.
Trey Gross had a team-high five receptions for 43 yards in the contest.
Hornet defensive back Juwain Granger, a Preseason All-MEAC Second Team selection, had an interception and two pass break-ups.
Romell Harris-Freeman was tops for DSU with eight total tackles, including seven solo stops. Guthrie recorded seven tackles, each unassisted, including one behind the line-of-scrimmage.
Daniels and Eric Montes were credited with sacks for the Delaware State defense.
The Hornets (1-1; 1-1 MEAC) will return to action on Mar. 27 at Howard. The Bison will try to avenge the opening day loss to DSU on Feb. 27.