2021 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL — GAME 4         
 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY "HORNETS" (1-2; 0-0 MEAC)                                                                             
VS.                                                                                                                                                           
 MERRIMACK "WARRIORS (2-1; 0-0 NEC)
 SAT., SEP. 25, 2021 (2:05 p.m.)   
 ALUMNI STADIUM  (6,800) - DOVER, DEL.  
 Live Video -  ESPN+                                                                                                                                                                                  
 Live Audio - HSRN.com (Sirius XM Channel 390)
 
THE GAME
Delaware State returns home to face the Merrimack Warriors of the FCS Northeast Conference. The Hornets are looking to snap a two-game losing streak. DSU is coming off a 38-6 loss to nationally-ranked (#16/#17) East Tennessee State on the road last weekend. The Bucs scored on each of their first four possessions and led 24-0 before the Hornets scored their only points on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Jared Lewis to Trey Gross with nine seconds left in the second quarter. Merrimack is coming off a 31-26 loss at Maine in its last outing. The Warriors trailed 10-0 before bouncing back to grab a 13-12 lead midway through the second quarter. Merrimack only trailed 29-26 after a late third quarter touchdown, but could get no closer the rest of the way. The Bucs posted an impressive 35-21 victory over then-#24 Holy Cross in week two.        
 
THE HORNETS
Despite allowing a season-high 449 total yards at East Tennessee State last week, Delaware State still leads the MEAC in total defense at 346.3 yards per game. The Hornets are allowing a league-low 187.7 yards per game by the pass and are second in the conference in run defense at 158.7 yards per game. DSU also leads the MEAC with six interceptions and a 1.33 turnover margin per game (+4). The Hornets have a league-best nine forced turnovers. Delaware State had an interception and recovered an ETSU fumble in last week's contest. Linebacker Kamari Jackson (jr.) is tops on the Hornets and tied for third in the MEAC at 7.7 tackles per game (23 total). Jackson has a league-high 19 solo stops and four assists through week three. DSU linebacker Ronald Holmes (fr.) is tied for the MEAC lead with three sacks, while Hornet lineman Isaiah Williams is third in the league with 2.5 sacks. DSU defensive back Esaias Guthrie is tops in the MEAC with three interceptions and tied for the league lead with  1.67 passes defended (pass break-ups + INTs) per game. Offensively, Delaware State is second in the MEAC in soring at 17.3 points per game, but fifth in total offense at 220.0 yards per contest. DSU is averaging 106.0 rushing yards per game to rank fourth in the league, but sits last in the conference in passing at 114.0 yards per outing. Delaware State's Sy'Veon Wilkerson (fr.) is tied for the MEAC rushing lead at 68.0 yards per game and also tied for the league high with four rushing touchdowns. Jared Lewis (so.) is expected to start his second straight game under center this week. Lewis has completed 12 of 22 passes (54.5%) for 115 yards with one touchdown. Trey Gross (sr.) is tops on the Hornets and tied for third in the MEAC with 13 catches (4.3 per game) and is sixth in the league with 126 receiving yards.         
 
THE WARRIORS
Merrimack is scoring at a nearly 39 point per game clip (38.67 pg). Through three games, the Warriors are averaging 465.3 yards per game, 314.0 by the pass and 151.3 on the ground. Quarterback Westin Elliott is off to a flying start this season, connecting on 86 of his 122 passes (70.5%) for 942 yards (314.0 pg) with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Three Merrimack runners have more than 100 yards this season. Victor Dawson leads the way with 220 yards, while Matt Brehon has 104 and Tyvon Edmonds, Jr. 102. Each has also rushed for two touchdowns. Jacari Carter is the team's top receiver with 31 catches (10.3 pg) for 267 yards and three touchdowns in the first three games. Robert Tyler has 13 receptions for 133 yards and one score. Defensively, Merrimack is allowing 281.7 yards per game, 186.3 passing and 95.3 by the run. Defensive back Kenneth Cooper and linebacker Keegan Woods shared the team lead with 15 tackles each. Cam Tillman has 10 tackles, including four behind the line of scrimmage, and a forced fumble. D-back Caleb Holden has 12 tackles (eight solo) and a team-high five pass break-ups.       
    
DSU vs. MERRIMACK / NORTHEAST CONFERENCE
This is the second meeting between the Hornets and Warriors. Merrimack won the first contest 30-21 in 2019, Delaware State led 7-0, 14-7 and 21-14 before the Warriors scored the last 16 points. The Hornets are 1-4 all-time vs. Northeast Conference opponents: 1-2 vs. St. Francis (Pa.); 0-1 vs. Merrimack; 0-1 vs. Central Connecticut. Delaware State will face another Northeast Conference foe at Wagner next week (Oct. 2).