Dover, Del. (Mar. 28, 2023)  – A mainstay of the Delaware State defense the past two years is gearing up for the challenge of performing for the new coaching staff next season. Inside linebacker Maurio Goings (r-jr.; New Market, Md.) is expected to pick up where he left off in 2022, when he earned All-MEAC Third Team honors after finishing second on the Hornets with 47 total tackles (28 solo) and ranked third on the team with 10 stops in the opponents' backfield.
In 2021, Goings was the team leader with 55 tackles, including 31 solo stops and 3.5 behind the line-of-scrimmage.
Before joining the Hornets, he was a two-sport standout (football, wrestling) at Oakdale High School, where he earned All-State honors while helping lead the team to the Maryland 2A championship as a senior.
After verbally committing to the Air Force Academy as a high school senior, Goings decided to give Delaware State a look after the Hornets offered a full scholarship. The decision is working out well him on the field as well as in the classroom.
"I'm grateful to Delaware State for the opportunity to play Division I football and fulfill my educational goals.
Goings, a Neuroscience major and MEAC Academic All-Star, is on course to graduate in May. With eligibility remaining after this season, he plans to enroll in graduate school and compete next year as well.
As for the upcoming season, Goings and his defensive mates are putting in the work adjusting to the new coaching staff in hopes of setting a positive tone for the upcoming season.
"We've been challenging each other throughout the off-season and spring camp to get better each day, whether it's in the weight room, 7-on-7s, film room or study hall," he said. "We have the potential to have a successful season this year, but we must take it a step at a time"             
The Hornets, 5-6 overall and 2-3 in the MEAC in 2022, will kick-off their 11-game 2023 schedule at home against Bowie State on Sep. 2.
2023 Delaware State football remaining spring practice schedule (*all sessions open to the public)
#5        Mar. 30                                                6:00 am
#6        Apr. 1                                                   6:00 am
#7        Apr. 3                                                   6:00 am
# 8       Apr. 4                                                   6:00 am
#9        Apr. 6  (scrimmage)                              6:00 am
#10       Apr. 11                                                 6:00 am
#11       Apr. 13                                                 6:00 am
#12       Apr. 15 (scrimmage)                          6:00 pm  (switched from 10:30 am)
#13       Apr. 18                                                 6:00 am
#14       Apr. 20                                                 6:00 am
#15       Apr. 22  (Red-White scrimmage)         1:00 pm
2023 Delaware State Football Schedule link:
https://dsuhornets.com/sports/football/schedule