DURHAM, North Carolina -- Delaware State rallied from a three-point halftime deficit to defeat North Carolina Central 35-26 on the road on Saturday afternoon, making it their first win in Durham since October 15, 1977.
The Hornets improved to 5-3 on the year and 1-0 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, while the Eagles fell to 5-3 and 0-1.
Kaiden Bennett led Delaware State's passing attack with 212 yards through the air, tossing three touchdowns and one interception. The signal caller also added 61 yards on the ground.
Marquis Gillis paced the Hornets rushing attack by accumulating 108 yards and two touchdowns over the course of the game, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. James Jones chipped in with 57 yards as well, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
NyGhee Lolley pulled in five catches for 124 yards and three scores. Edward Core made his presence felt in the passing game, recording one reception for 52 yards.
Jaydon Mifflin led the Delaware State defensive effort, totaling four tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. Mario Keanon added one recovered fumble and Dasheen Jackson had seven tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one sack in the win.
The Hornets won the turnover battle in Saturday's game, forcing two turnovers while coughing the ball up one time, with Delaware State turning those takeaways into seven points. Delaware State had a powerful performance on the ground, racking up 241 rushing yards while averaging 4.7 yards per carry and out-rushing North Carolina Central by 136 yards. The Delaware State offense did a good job prolonging drives, converting on 50 percent of third-down attempts. The Hornets also went 2-for-2 on fourth down.
Defensively, Delaware State held up fairly well against the North Carolina Central rushing attack, holding the Eagles to 105 yards on the ground.
How It Happened
After North Carolina Central opened the scoring to go ahead 3-0, Delaware State responded to take a 7-0 lead with 9:09 left in the second quarter.North Carolina Central responded to go ahead 10-7 before the Hornets scored again on a 72-yard touchdown reception from to Lolley to jump back in front 14-10.
Delaware State kept building its lead, scoring again with 7:30 left in the third quarter to go ahead 21-10.North Carolina Central then took control of the lead, building a 24-21 advantage before the Hornets scored again with a 33-yard touchdown run from Gillis to jump back in front 28-24.
Delaware State continued to increase its advantage, scoring again with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter to go up 35-24. Delaware State didn't score again and North Carolina Central added two more points to finish off the game.
Up Next...
Delaware State will travel to Philadelphia, PA for the HBCU Battle of the Legends. The Hornets will host the Spartans of Norfolk State on Thursday, October 30. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET
