Dover, Del. (Aug. 8, 2021) --- The 2021 Delaware State football team will hit the field for its first preseason practice today. The Hornets kick-off their 11-game schedule at home against Bowie State on Sep. 4 (4:00 pm). 
DSU will play seven games at home this season, including three of its five MEAC contests. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener is scheduled for homecoming Saturday, Oct. 23, against preseason league favorite South Carolina State.
The Hornets have been picked to finish fourth in the six-team 2021 MEAC race.
Call 302-857-7497 or 8499, or log onto DSUHornetstickets.com for ticket information.

DELAWARE STATE 2021 FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Delaware State is hoping its decision to play a limited spring 2021 schedule after the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference cancelled the 2020 campaign due to the Covid-19 pandemic will pay dividends this fall.
The Hornets posted a 2-3 record in the spring, matching the win total for their last full season in 2019 (2-9 overall; 1-7 MEAC).
Delaware State's spring 2021 slate featured home and away wins against MEAC rival Howard, two final possession losses to fall 2021 MEAC preseason favorite South Carolina State and a competitive defeat against nationally-ranked and FCS championship semi-finalist Delaware in the first meeting between the state's two Division I programs to be played on the DSU campus.
"I believe the 2021 spring games were very beneficial for the program because we were able to get a higher level of competition for our guys, especially the younger players," said DSU head coach Rod Milstead. "The spring also brought us closer together as a team and gave us a measuring stick of where we are and need to go as a program."
The fall 2021 Hornets expect to feature 31 returning letterwinners, 16 on offense and 15 on the defense. DSU also returns a number of 2020 freshman and other newcomers/transfers who gained valuable experience during the spring season.
Despite the spring boost, Delaware State will have plenty to prove in the 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic football race.
The Hornets have been picked to finish fourth in the six-team 2021 conference standings in the annual MEAC preseason grid poll. 
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Jared Lewis (r-so.) started the last four spring 2021 games after appearing off the bench to lead the Hornets to a come-from-behind victory over Howard in the opener. His spring numbers included 43 completions in 84 attempts (51.2%) for 510 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. In addition, he was second on the team with 233 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 83 attempts, including sacks (2.8 yards per attempt).
Lewis completed 10-of-19 passes for a career-best 173 yards and three touchdowns, and also rushed for 52 yards in the Hornets' 37-28 victory at Howard on Apr. 3.
In the spring finale against South Carolina State, he connected on 10-of-15 throws for 112 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 74 yards in the 31-28 loss.
Tylik Bethea (so.) started the spring opener against Howard on Feb. 27, but left the game in the second quarter due to a knee injury and did not appear in any other games.
As a true freshman in 2019, Bethea competed in all 12 games, starting 11. He completed 134-of-288 passes for 1478 yards (long 36) with five touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his rookie season. He ranked eighth in the MEAC in passing at 123.2 yards per game that season. His 2019 yardage total and completions were the most for a true freshman in team history and season completion total ranks 11th all-time at the school.
2021 Quarterbacks
No.           Name                                        HT/WT                      CL            Hometown/Previous School
7              Jared Lewis                               6-3/210                      r-So.         Baltimore, Md./Fort Scott CC
9              Lucas Loffredo                           6-0/185                      Fr.            Milltown, N.J./ Piscataway HS
10             Jabari Blake                               6-4/195                      r-Fr.          Lynchburg, Va./Heritage HS
13             Tylik Bethea                               6-5/200                      So.           Staten Island, N.Y./Lincoln HS
14             Andre Parker                              6-2/220                      Fr.            Woodbury, N.J. / Jireh Prep
Running Backs
The Hornets may be as deep at the running back position this year than any time since its days as a rushing powerhouse in the 1980s & 90s. Three returning runners have at least one 100-yard game at DSU. Sy'Veon Wilkerson (fr.) emerged as the Hornets' top rusher in the spring, tallying 262 yards and two touchdowns on 52 attempts (5.0 ypc) in four games. Wilkerson rushed for 112 yards (long 19) and a touchdown on 22 carries (5.1 ypc) in the Hornets' 37-28 victory at Howard on Apr. 3. He tallied 95 yards on 17 attempts (5.6 ypc), including a season-best 21 yard run, in loss to South Carolina State on Apr. 17.
Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (r-so.) was third on the team with 198 rushing yards (long 20) on 46 carries in the spring (4.3 ypc), highlighted by an 84-yard performance vs. South Carolina State on Mar. 13. In 2019, Bertrand-Hudon was tops on the Hornets and sixth in the MEAC in rushing at 56.6 yards per game (509 total), including three consecutive100-yard performances. He also rushed for a team-high five touchdowns that season.
Michael Chris-Ike (r-so.) is expected to return to the active roster this fall after sitting out the 2019 and spring 2021 seasons. Chris-Ike rushed for 238 yards and two touchdowns in just four games as a freshman in 2018. He was named MEAC Rookie-of-the-Week after rushing for 127 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown run, in the Hornets' 28-13 victory over North Carolina Central during the 2018 season. 
Wade Inge (r-fr) was the starting back in the spring 2021 opener against Howard. He totaled 50 yards on 19 carries (long 14) during the spring session.
2021 Running Backs
No.           Name                        HT/WT                      CL            Hometown/Previous School
20             Tyshaun Capers         5-11/200                    Fr.            Hollis, N.Y. / Campus Magnet HS
22             Michael Chris-Ike        6-2/215                      r-So.         Hamilton, Ont. / St. Thomas More Secondary
23             Sy'Veon Wilkerson      5-8/205                      Fr.            Chicago, Ill. / Our Lady of Good Counsel
24             Wade Inge                   5-10/ 180                   r-Fr.          Williamstown, N.J. / Williamstown HS
30             Caleb Robinson          5-11/ 210                   Fr.            Laurel, Md. / Perryville HS
36             Thomas Bertand-Hudon     6-0/ 220                     r-so.          Mont St.-Hillaire, Quebec / Champlain Lennoxville
Receivers / Tight Ends
The wide receiver corps in led by veterans Trey Gross (sr.), Bizzett Woodley (so.) and Kwannah Kollie (sr.). Gross was DSU's leader with 17 receptions for 248 yards (14.6 ypr) and five touchdowns during five spring games. He had five receptions for 123 yards and career-high three touchdowns (42, 9, 56) in 37-28 win at Howard (Apr. 3) … caught three passes for 52 yards, including two touchdowns (12, 34) vs. South Carolina State (Apr. 17). In addition, he was   credited with two blocked kicks and recovered a blocked punt for touchdown vs. Delaware (Apr. 10).   
Gross, a 2021 Preseason All-MEAC Second Team selection, has 1,495 receiving yards at DSU to rank 13th in team history. He's also 13th all-time with 98 catches and is seventh on the school's career list 16 receiving touchdowns.
Woodley had six catches for 79 yards (13.2 ypr) and a touchdown in the spring. As a true freshman in 2019, he hauled in 28 passes for 421 yards and a team-high seven touchdown catches to rank fifth in the MEAC.
Kollie was limited to three games in the spring due to injury, recording three catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. In 2019, he was DSU's leader with 35 catches and 431 receiving yards (12.3 ypr). He was also second on the Hornets with four touchdown receptions in 2019.
Arizona transfer Kevin Medy (r-sr.) contributed five catches for 49 yards (9.8 ypc) during the five spring games.  
Starting tight end Myles Beverly (sr.), a 2021 Preseason All-MEAC Second Team selection,  also returns. Beverly was second on the Hornets with nine receptions for 77 yards (long 24) in the spring. He also hauled in a two-point pass in DSU's 17-10 victory over Howard in the spring opener.
 
 
2021 Receivers / Tight Ends
No.           Name                                        HT/WT                      CL            Hometown/Previous School
2              Konner Blount-Foster (WR)        5-9 / 170                    Fr.            Waldorf, Md. /  St. Charles HS
3              Nico Stout (WR)                          5-5 / 165                    Fr.            La Plata, Md. / La Plata HS
5              Cameron Sykes (WR)                 5-11 /190                   Fr.            Bowie, Md. / National Christian Academy
8              E.J. Core  (WR)                           6-1 / 195                    Fr.            Waldorf, Md. / National Christian Academy
12             Vince Vines  (WR)                      6-0 / 200                    Fr.            Bowie, Md. / Bowie HS
18             Kevin Medy (WR)                        5-7 /160                     r-Sr.          Brooklyn, N.Y. / Univ. of Arizona 
19             Nyghee Lolley (WR)                    6-0 / 190                    Fr.            Newark, Del. / Hodgson Vo-Tech
21             Devin Curry (WR)                        6-1 / 190                    Jr.            Clinton, Md. / Wesley College
26             David Bowman (WR)                   5-6/ 160                     r-So.         Milford, Del./ Milford HS
33             Myles Beverly (TE)                      6-4 / 245                    Sr.            Ypsilanti, Mich./ Lincoln HS
35             Marin Nwanekwu (TE)                 6-4 / 230                    Fr.            Middletown, Del./ Newark Charter
38             Jerrish Halsey (WR)                    5-10 / 160                  Jr.            Rahway, N.J. / Wesley College
48             Leroy Pendleton (TE)                   6-0 / 240                    So.           Philadelphia, Pa. / Wesley College
80             Kwannah Kollie (WR)                   6-0 / 200                    Sr.            Staten Island, N.Y. / Curtis HS
81             Trey Gross (WR)                          6-4 / 210                    Sr.            Annapolis, Md. / Annapolis HS
83             Ethan Capone (TE)                      6-3 / 230                    Fr.            Toms River, N.J. / Donovan Catholic HS
84             Myles Morales (TE)                     6-4 / 235                    Fr.            Poughkeepsie, N.Y. / Paramus Catholic HS
85             Brandon Asare (WR)                   5-9 / 170                    r-So.         Somerset, N.J. / Franklin HS
86             Austin Gretencord (TE)                6-4 / 215                    r-Fr.          Dover, Del. / Caesar Rodney HS
88             Bizzett Woodley (WR)                  6-5 / 200                    So.           Chantilly, Va. / Westfield HS
89             Roman Davis (TE)                       6-3 / 195                    r-Fr.          Clinton, Md. / Gwynn Park HS
Offensive Line
The interior line is led by senior guard Matthew Derks (sr.), a Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection. A starter in all five DSU spring 2021 games, Derks was drafted by the Ottawa RedBlacks in the sixth round of the latest Canadian Football League.
The Hornets' offensive front also features returning veterans Dillon Marshall (r-jr.) at center, along with tackles James King (sr.) and Sam Pearson (jr.). Marshall is a 2021 Preseason All-MEAC Second Team pick.
Guard Rodrigo Escobar (fr.) saw considerable action during the spring, while linemen Denzel Bryant (fr.), Codie Hornsby (fr.), Charles Pierce (fr.), Enrique Torres (fr.) and Aman Orlena (fr.) also gained valuable reps earlier this year.
2021 Offensive Line
No.           Name                                        HT/WT                      CL            Hometown/Previous School
57             Alfred Darlington                         6-3 / 290                    Fr.            Chicago, Ill. / The Avalon School
60             Dillon Marshall                            6-4 /290                     r-Jr.          Waldorf, Md. / Westlake HS
61             Rodrigo Escobar                         6-3 /300                     Fr.            Elizabeth, N.J. / East Coast Prep HS
62             Denzel Bryant                             6-1 / 290                    Fr.            Floomoor , Ill. / Homewood-Flossmoor HS
64             Derrico Poston                           6-4 / 290                    So.           Oxon Hill, Md. / Wesley College
65             Charles Pierce                            6-0/ 285                     Fr.            Sicklerville, N.J. / Timber Creek HS
66             Isaiah Cook                               6-3 / 290                    Fr.            Willingboro, N.J. / BCIT West
68             Matthew Derks                           6-3 / 315                    Sr.            Brantford, Ont. / Salisbury School (Conn.)
69             Aman Orlena                              6-4 / 260                    Fr.            Fort Washington, Pa. / Upper Dublin HS
71             Codie Hornsby                           6-3 / 280                    Fr.            Dallas. Tex. / Skyline HS
72             Enrique Torres                            6-3 / 280                    Fr.            Elizabeth, N.J. / Elizabeth HS
73             Sam Pearson                             6-5 / 285                    Jr.            Washington, D.C. / ASA College Brooklyn
74             Brandon Joseph                          6-1 / 285                    So.           Lawrenceville, Ga. / ASA College Brooklyn
75             Diu Dau                                     6-4/  295                    Fr.            Rockville, Md. / Richard Montgomery HS
76             Joseph Maxwell III                      6-5 / 360                    Fr.            Savannah, Ga. / Windsor Forest HS
77             Zaire Falls                                 6-3 / 290                    Fr.            Charlotte, N.C. / Myers Park HS
78             Brandon Bradford                        6-3 / 325                    Jr.            New Castle, Del. / Wesley College
79             James King                                6-4 / 315                    Sr.            Wayne, Pa. / Valley Forge M.A.                     
DEFENSE
The unit features four Preseason All-MEAC First Team selections, lineman Isaiah Williams (r-jr.), linebackers Brooks Parker (jr.) and Antquan Kinsey (r-so.), along with defensive back Jawain Granger are defensive honorees.
Parker and Granger were 2020 Preseason All-MEAC Second Team picks before the conference scrapped the season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Six other spring defensive starters are also expected to return for the fall season.
Defensive Line
After sitting out the 2019 season, Williams was tops among Hornet defensive linemen with17 total tackles and two sacks in five spring games. He also recorded 6.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. Williams recorded five total tackles, three solo, including two backfield stops (-10) vs. Delaware on Apr. 10.
Spring front line starters Carrington Jones (r-jr.) and Kevin Deshields (jr.) also return. Jones recorded 12 tackles, four solo, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack in the spring.
Deshields recorded eight solo tackles, including five solo stops and an assist, at the nose tackle spot in the five spring games.
Linemen Jermain Lugo (fr.), Mathias Peoples (fr.) and Terrance Bridgers (r-fr.) also gained as reserves in the spring season.
DSU's front line will also be bolstered by the return of Corey St. John (jr.), who sat out the spring season due to injury. St. John recorded 12 tackles, including two for loss, in 2019.
Marcus Winfield (r-Fr.), also injured in the spring, could also contribute to the front line this fall.
2021 Defensive Line
No.           Name                        HT/WT                      CL            Hometown/Previous School
42             Kyle Williams             6-3 / 260                    Fr.            Harrisburg. Pa. / Central Dauphin East
43             Caleb Young              6-3 / 280                    Fr.            Miami, Fla. / Palmer Trinity HS
67             David Pierre               6-2 / 285                    Jr.            Carteret, N.J. / Wesley College
68             Josh Ramponeau        6-4 / 245                    Jr.            Spring Valley, N.Y. / Hudson Valley CC
70             Carrington Jones        6-1 / 280                    r-Jr.          Kinsale, Va. / Temple University
90             Isaiah Williams           6-2 / 295                    r-Jr.          Brooklyn, N.Y. / Lafayette HS
91             Omakus Langley II      6-3/ 240                     Fr.            Hillside, N.J. / Hillside HS
92             Marcus Winfield          6-3 /250                     r-Fr.          Abington,/ Cheltenham HS
93             Terrance Bridgers        6-2/ 310                     r-Fr.          Washington, D.C. / Landon HS
94             Darren Cook              6-3/ 315                     Fr.            Washington, D.C. / Friendship Collegiate
95             Corey St. John           6-2/ 290                     Jr.            Tampa, Fla. / Ellsworth CC
97             Jermaine Lugo            6-2 / 225                    Fr.            Wilmington, Del. Howard HS
99             Eric Montes               6-1 / 240                    Fr.            Berwick, Pa. / Berwick HS
Linebackers
The linebacker corps is deep and talented with a solid mix of experience and youth. Parker recorded 15 tackles in the spring (10 solo), including 3.5 in the opponents' backfield and one sack. A 2019 All-MEAC Third Team honoree, he  was tops on the Hornets and 24th in the MEAC in tackles at 4.8 per game (58 total) and 10th in the league with 10.5 tackles for loss (0.88 pg) that season.
Kinsey competed in all five spring games as a starting linebacker, recording nine tackles, including seven solo stops. He tallied a season-high five tackles, four unassisted, vs. South Carolina State (Mar. 13) and recovered a fourth quarter fumble in 17-10 victory over Howard in spring opener (Feb. 17).
Kamari Jackson (r-jr.) led the Hornets with 26 total tackles in the spring, including 20 unassisted.  Jackson also recorded three tackles-for-loss and an interception. He had five tackles (each solo), a tackle-for-loss and an interception in the spring finale against South Carolina State (Apr. 17). Jackson collected to backfield tackles and six total tackles in the Hornets' first spring meeting against SC State (Mar. 13).
Olivier Muembi (jr.) was tied for second on the team with 24 total tackles and second on the squad with 5.5 tackles-for-loss in the spring. Muembi recorded at least one backfield tackle in each of DSU's five spring games. He also collected a sack and a pass break-up in the shortened season. Muembi tallied a spring-high six tackles in two games, Feb. 27 vs. Howard and Apr. 10 vs. Delaware.
Newcomers Ronald Holmes (fr.) and Jesus Robinson (fr.) gained valuable experience in the spring, collecting eight and five tackles, respectively. Former Hodgson Vo-Tech standout Eric Shimko (fr.) also saw action in the spring, recording two tackles.
2021 Linebackers
No.           Name                        HT/WT                      CL            Hometown/Previous School
34             Kamari Jackson          5-10 /190                   r-Jr.          Newport News, Va. / Woodside HS
37             Muadh Abdus-Salaam  5-8 /185                     Jr.            Newark, N.J. / Irvington HS
40             Antquan Kinsey          5-11/ 230                   r-So.         Liberty City, Fla. / Miami HS
44             Aiden Weber              6-2/210                      Fr.            Pottstown, Pa./St. Mary's Ryken HS
45             Maurio Goings            6-0/230                      r-Fr.          New Market, Md./Oakdale HS
47             Omar Parker, Jr.         5-10/180                    Fr.            Baltimore, Md./Eastern Vo-Tech HS
49             Dylan Gray                 6-2/230                      Fr.            Hyattsville, Md./C.H. Flowers HS
50             Traye Laster               5-11/220                    So.           Brandywine, Md./North Carolina Wesleyan
51             Eric Shimko               6-1/230                      Fr.            Bear, Del./Hodgson Vo-Tech HS
52             Ahmed Bailey             6-0/190                      Fr.            Washington, D.C. / Friendship Collegiate Academy
54             Olivier Muembi           6-2/230                      Jr.            Hamilton, Ont./Saltfleet District HS
55             Brooks Parker            6-1/210                      Jr.            Laurel, Del./Delmar HS
56             Jemuel Cypress         5-11/190                    So.           Capital Heights, Md./Wesley College
57             Dante Daniel              6-0/200                      Sr.            Pleasantville, N.J./Wesley College
58             Ronald Holmes           6-1/210                      Fr.            Darby, Pa./Neumann & Goretti HS
59             Jesus Robinson          5-10/205                    Fr.            Washington, D.C./Roosevelt HS
 
 
Defensive Backs
Granger heads up a promising young secondary whose ranks include 10 players competing in their first full season. The former Caravel Academy (Del.) star recorded five solo tackles and an interception despite being slowed by injury during the spring season. In 2019, Granger was tied for first in MEAC with 12 pass break-ups and tied for fifth in the  MEAC in passes defended at 1.00 per game. In addition, he was eighth on the Hornets with 35 tackles, including 30 unassisted stops during the '19 season.
Another Delaware high school product, Esaias Guthrie (r-fr,; Middletown HS), was tied for second on the Hornets with 24 tackles, 19 unassisted, last spring. He returned a fourth quarter interception 41 yards for a touchdown in DSU's 17-10 victory over Howard in the spring opener.  
Charles Peeler (r-jr.) and Andrew Reese (r-so.) are solid veterans in the secondary. Peeler had six totals and four pass break-ups in three 2021 spring games, while Reese had 27 tackles (23 solo), 4.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and  two break-ups in the Hornets' last full season in 2019.
Redshirt freshmen Romell Harris-Freeman and Daniel Douglas were impressive in their first taste of college action in the spring. Harris-Freeman was fourth on the club with 22 tackles (15 unassisted), while also recording an interception and three pass break-ups. Douglas had 10 tackles (eight solo), including an endzone sack for a safety vs. South Carolina State on Mar. 13. Coleon Williams (fr.) contributed eight tackles in four spring games.
Among the newcomers to the secondary is C.J. Henry, a two-way standout (quarterback/defensive back), who led Delaware's Hodgson Vo-Tech to back-to-back state championships in 2019 and '20.
2021 Defensive Backs
No.           Name                        HT/WT                      CL            Hometown/Previous School
0              Andrew Reese            5-7/160                      r-So.         Miami, Fla. Miami Senior HS
1              Charles Peeler            5-8/175                      r-Jr.          Washington, D.C. / Fort Scott CC
4              Romell Harris-Freeman 6-4/190                    r-So.         Woodbridge, Va. / Livingstone College
6              Esaias Guthrie            6-2/175                      r-Fr.          Wilmington, Del./Middletown HS
11             Daniel Douglas           6-2/205                      r-Fr.          Wilmington, Del. Hodgson Vo-Tech
15             Mohamet Thiam          6-1/190                      r-So.         Union City, N.J./Union City HS
16             C.J. Henry                 5-10/180                    Fr.            Newark, Del./Hodgson Vo-Tech HS
20             Kyndal Royal              5-9/170                      Fr.            Miami, Fla. Palmer Trinity HS
21             Coleon Williams          5-10/185                    Fr.            Trenton, N.J. / Notre Dame HS
25             Jawain Granger          5-9/165                      r-Jr.          New Castle, Del. / Caravel Academy
26             Ryan Clemons           5-8/160                      Jr.            Brandywine, Md./Wesley College
27             Isaiah Johnson           6-0/180                      Fr.            Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge HS
28             Jeffery Broughton       5-9/170                      Fr.            Middletown, Del./ Appoquinimink HS
29             Marquis Gillis             6-0/200                      Fr.            Milford, Del./Milford HS
31             Jasiyah Brooks           6-1/190                      Fr.            Bowie, Md./Bowie HS
32             Isiah Mitchell              5-11/180                    Sr.            Middletown, Del/Wesley College
33             Marcus Gaspard         6-0/185                      Sr.            Hackensack, N.J./Wesley College
38             Da'Je Iannuzzio          5-11/180                    So.           Galloway, N.J./Stevenson Univ.
39             Dominique Smith        6-0/180                      Fr.            Georgetown, Del./Sussex Tech HS
Special Teams
The Hornets need to replace All-MEAC punter and placekicker Jose Romo-Martinez, who averaged 38.7 yards on 24 points, nailed three field goals and was perfect on 11 extra-point kicks in the spring.
Jake Bridel (so.) is expected to handle place kicking chores this season after serving as kickoff specialist since joining the Hornets in 2019.
The Hornets were among the NCAA leaders with three punt blocks during the spring season, two by Trey Gross and the other by Daniel Douglas.
Wade Ingle was the Hornets' top kickoff returner in the spring, averaging 21.1 yards on 12 returns with a long of 36. Charles Peeler averaged 8.8 yards on five punt returns to lead the team in the spring games.
Brandon Shimko (so.) has performed has been near flawless as the team's long snapper since the 2019 season.           
    
The Schedule
Delaware State is scheduled to play a school record-tying number of home games, including six of the first eight contests, during the 2021 season. 
The Hornets will play seven games at Alumni Stadium this fall, including three of their five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contests. The number of home games this coming season matches the modern-day school record set during the 2019 campaign.
In addition to the three MEAC contests, DSU's 2021 home schedule includes the renewal of an old rivalry and a first- time FCS opponent.
Delaware State will kick off its 11-game schedule at home on Sep. 4 against old rival Bowie State (Md.) for
Hall-of-Fame / Champions Weekend.  The Hornets and Bulldogs will be meeting for the first time since 1984, and the fifth time overall. Bowie State won the first meeting 26-18 in 1933. Delaware State has claimed the last three contests, winning 13-0 in 1934, 18-9 in 1936 and 70-8 in 1984 to hold a 3-1 series lead.
The Hornets are also home the following Saturday (Sep. 11) to face first-time opponent Georgetown of the FCS Patriot League. The Hoyas were 5-6 overall and 1-5 in the Patriot League in their last season of competition in 2019.
Delaware State hits the road for the first time with a visit to East Tennessee State, also a new opponent, on Sep. 18. The Buccaneers, members of the FCS Southern Conference, postponed their 2020 season to the 2021 spring, posting a 4-2 overall record, including a 2-1 mark in the conference. ETSU was 3-9 and 1-7 in 2019.
The Hornets return home on Sep. 25 to face Merrimack College in the second meeting between the teams. The Warriors won the first contest 30-21, also at Alumni Stadium, in 2019. Delaware State led on three occasions in the contest before Merrimack scored the last 16 points to earn the win.
Delaware State returns to the road the following Saturday (Oct. 2) to take on another first-time opponent, Wagner College of the FCS Northeast Conference. The Seahawks played two of four scheduled games in the spring (0-2) and posted a 1-11 mark during the 2019 season.
The Hornets will play their next three 2021 games at home, beginning with an Oct. 9 contest against Virginia University of Lynchburg. This will be the second meeting between the teams. Delaware State won the first meeting 41-7 at Alumni Stadium in 2018. Virginia Lynchburg did not compete in 2020 or this spring, and was 0-9 in 2019.
After an open week, DSU begins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play at home against South Carolina State on Oct. 23. The Bulldogs have won the last four meetings, including two this spring, and hold a 32-17 lead in the all-time series.
The Hornets will wrap up the three-game home stand with a meeting against Howard on Oct. 30. Delaware State swept two games against the Bison in the spring, winning 17-10 at home and 37-28 in Washington, D.C.
Delaware State plays two of its last three 2021 games on the road, beginning with a trip to Baltimore to face Morgan State on Nov. 6. The Hornets have lost two straight and six of their last seven games against the Bears. This will be the third consecutive meeting between the teams at MSU's Hughes Stadium.
The Hornets will wrap up their 2021 home schedule with a Nov. 13 contest against Norfolk State. The Spartans have won the last three meetings, although the Hornets hold a 16-9 lead in the series. Delaware State fell to NSU 33-14 the last time the teams met In 2019 at Alumni Stadium
DSU closes out the 2021 regular season on Nov. 20 at North Carolina Central. The Eagles have won 10 of the last 12 meetings to open up a 19-7 series lead. NCCU prevailed in the last meeting 30-23 on a kickoff return touchdown with 38 seconds left to play in Durham, N.C., in 2019.
DSU 2021 Football Schedule
9/4            BOWIE STATE           HOME       4:00 pm
9/11          GEORGETOWN         HOME       2:00 pm
9/18          at E. Tenn. State        Away        7:30 pm
9/25          MERRIMACK             HOME       2:00 pm
10/2          at Wagner  Away        5:00 pm
10/9          VA-LYNCHBURG       HOME       2:00 pm
10/23        SC STATE (HC)          HOME       2:00 pm
10/30        HOWARD                  HOME       2:00 pm
11/4          at Morgan State          Away        7:30 pm
11/13        NORFOLK STATE       HOME       2:00 pm
11/20        at NC Central             Away        TBA