PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Delaware State used a big 201-yard showing on the ground, including 109 yards from James Jones, to pick up a 27-20 win against Norfolk State Thursday night at home at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Hornets improved to 6-3 on the year and 2-0 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, while the Spartans fell to 1-8 and 0-2.
Jones paced the Hornets rushing attack by accumulating 109 yards and one touchdown over the course of the game, averaging 10.9 yards per carry. Marquis Gillis also added 79 yards on the ground, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Kaiden Bennett's most prolific target in the ballgame was Nathan Stewart, who caught four passes for 46 yards.
Tahmir Ellis led the Delaware State defensive effort, collecting one interception. Jaydon Mifflin added 1.0 TFL and one sack and had three tackles, 1.0 TFL, one sack, and one forced fumble in the win.
The Hornets won the turnover battle in Thursday's game, forcing one turnover while avoiding any giveways. Delaware State put together a powerful performance on the ground, logging 201 rushing yards while averaging 4.9 yards per carry and out-rushing Norfolk State by 156 yards. The Delaware State offense did a good job keeping drives alive, converting on 46.2 percent of third-down attempts.
Defensively, Delaware State did an excellent job restricting the Norfolk State rushing attack, holding the Spartans to 45 yards on the ground.
How It Happened
Delaware State took a 3-0 lead over Norfolk State after scoring the game's first points with :18 remaining in the first quarter.Norfolk State responded to go ahead 6-3 before the Hornets scored again on a 26-yard field goal from to retake the lead at 13-6.
Delaware State then added a touchdown with 9:40 left in the fourth quarter to make it a 19-6 lead.The Hornets continued to build their advantage after Norfolk State closed the gap to 19-13, scoring again to go ahead 27-13. Delaware State didn't score again in the game and Norfolk State added seven more points to finish off the scoring.
Up Next...
Delaware State will travel to Baltimore, MD to face the Bears of Morgan State. The Hornets will play another night game Friday, November 7. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET
