Turnovers Doomed the Hornets at Morgan State's Homecoming

This is one game I will soon try to forget because the Delaware State Hornets football team has made one the worst offensive performances in the Al Lavan era since 2004.

During the Hornets 34-24 defeat at the hands of Morgan State, the Hornets committed not one, not two, not three, but six turnovers.

Here's the breakdown of how the Hornets committed the most unexcused turnovers ever made:

-In the 1st quarter, Delaware State committed three turnovers on the 1st three possessions. On the Hornets opening drive, quarterback Anthony Glaud threw his first interception to Morgan State's Reshaude Miller and return it 31 yards to the Hornet 37 yard line that allowed Morgan State to worked a short field to scored a touchdown.

-On the second possession, Jaashown Jones (22 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown) fumbled the football just as the Hornets were getting inside Morgan State territory.

-On the Hornets third possession, Glaud threw his 2nd interception to Morgan State's Rich Ndubueze.

-In the 2nd quarter, the Hornets offensive line broke down big time when Anthony Glaud was sacked by Morgan State's Chris Eugene that allowed to ball to come out and allowed the Bears defense to recovered the fumble.

-With just 20 seconds before halftime the Hornets was trying to get at least field goal range instead Anthony Glaud threw his third interception to Reshaude Miller and returned 61 yards to the DSU 25 just as time expired

-After Morgan State scored the go-ahead-game winning touchdown, Delaware started their final drive at their own 12 yard line with very little time left and instead of trying to playing run and lateral, Anthony Glaud fumbles the ball again after getting sacked by Justin Young followed by the scoop and scored 2 yard fumble return by Sheldon Marques to make the scored accurate.

I'm pretty sure the Hornets quit on themselves and Al Lavan is running out of options on what this football team can do to make good plays and finished ball games without making mistake after mistake after mistake. Well the Hornets better fix them quit because this Saturday DSU will take on the two time MEAC Champion South Carolina State at home. Trust me there will no treats, no tricks for Delaware State instead they need a miracle and a little luck in order to start a four game winning streak.

Jones' Running Game Helped the Hornets Get their 1st Win

Jaashown Jones running game proved to be factor in the Hornets 31-26 victory over North Carolina A&T back on Saturday.

Jones made this Hornets's Homecoming a memorable one by carrying the ball 30 times for 144 yards and a touchdown that seal the Aggies fate.

Jones also made key runs on key drives that help the Hornets scored touchdowns especially in the red zone.

In the 1st quarter Jones ran for 35 yards for the 1st Hornets scored. Then in the 2nd quarter, he ran 19 hard earn yards to help Nick Elko throw a touchdown to cut the Aggie lead to 14-12 before halftime.

Late in the 3rd quarter Jones kept the adrenaline going, Jones ran 20 yards to help Anthony Glaud throw a touchdown pass to Justin Wilson to give the Hornets a 18-14 lead.

Finally in the 4th quarter, Jones ran another 30 yards to help Glaud throw another touchdown this time to Lerrone Moore to increase the Hornets lead to double digits 25-14.

Let's face it, Jones and the entire Hornets football team are tired of losing ever since very 1st game against Southern University in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge back last month on Labor Day Weekend.


Back on October 9th in the Hornets 47-24 lost to Bethune-Cookman Jones really wanted to get back on the field because he had over 90 yards rushing in the 1st half and didn't return for the rest of the 2nd half.

Jones said it best in the October 14 article of The News Journal that if you don't win at practice then you will lose the game.

If DSU can stick to the running game with Jaashown Jones against Morgan State, South Carolina State, North Carolina Central, Norfolk State, and Howard then the Hornets offense can provide a well place touchdown drives to at least win three more ball games.

Hornets Football in Familiar Territory

As the Hornets football get ready to play Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Al Lavan has been in this predicament before when starting the season 0-4.

During his very 1st coaching tenure of 2004, the Hornets lost the first four games of the season before getting their 1st win against Hampton at home. After that first win, the Delaware State finished with a 4-6 overall record, 4-3 in the conference.

On the October 6th article of The News Journal, Coach Lavan told reporters that one thing he like about his football team is that they are showing confidence and they are playing hard with confidence.

Its very good to stay positive and besides the Hornets have done well on offense by making plays and marching down the field but they couldn't able to score points in the red zone.

Back on October 1, the Hornets made 89 plays but only ending up scoring 14 points versus Hampton.

Its also the little things including special teams, where the offensive line couldn't protect the punter for punts and the place kicker for field goals. Also the defense can not afford to stay on the field for a very long time because they are undersized and they will give up big plays with big yards.

Saturday the Hornets will have their hands full against the highest scoring team in the MEAC Conference the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Will the Hornets continue to stay positive and get their first win of the season? That answer will come Saturday night in Daytona Beach.

Missed Chances in the Red Zone and a Bad 4th Quarter Doomed the Hornets Again

On a rainy Thursday night, the Delaware State Hornets football team didn't let rain affect their quest to get their 1st win of the year. Then again, game changers cost the Hornets to be winless again that frustrates Hornets fans everywhere from the almost 100 fans that brave the rain to all the viewers staying dry watching the game on ESPNU.

During the Hornets 20-14 lost to Hampton, had some golden opportunities to scored in the red zone but instead the Hornets end up with no points.

In the 1st quarter, Delaware State had two chances to score in the red zone. On their first visit to the red zone, Delaware State started their opening drive from the Hampton 17 yard line after a Travis Tarplay's 65 yard kickoff return. The Hornets went 8 plays and 14 yards only to be turned over on downs at the Hampton 3 yard line. That should've been 6 points.

Also in the same quarter, the Hornets went on a 12 play 56 yard drive only to have running back Jaashawn Jones fumbled the ball at the Hampton 11 yard line. Once again that should've been another 6 points.

In the second quarter, the Hornets were marching down the field once again with a 8 play, 56 yard drive only to have it turned over on downs again at the Hampton 15. Frustrating enough another 6 points that should've been scored.

Finally during the fourth quarter, the Hornets had the ball at the Hampton 12 yard line after recovering a Hampton fumble. Instead they went 4 plays -8 yards on that drive and yes the Hornets turned it over on downs at the Hampton 20. That could've been another 6 points scored.

Not only did the hornets had problems scoring in the red zone, but they are having problem in the fourth quarter.

After taking a 7-6 lead early in the 4th quarter on a trick play by Darrius Jackson in the red zone, the Hornets defense allowed Hampton to scored 14 straight points and out gained the Hornets 168-56.

Also the Hornets offense continued to struggle with Anthony Glaud over throwing short passes and bad passes are allowing the Hornets receivers to drop passes, and lack gaining yards on the ground.

Sure the Hornets scored late again with 23 seconds left thanks to backup quarterback Nick Elko's final touchdown drive, but it didn't save the hornets to win the fourth quarter once again.

In the fourth quarter, the Hornets are having trouble finishing the game yet again. It was the same issue last season, and 2008. The main reason is their inconsistency on the field. They made the plays they were told but they need one big push to finished the job and win the game. However if the Hornets don't score in the red early and all game long then DSU might goes winless this season. That's something Hornet fans don't won't to see.

A Rough Tuesday for Lady Hornets Sports

Usually, everyday people start their week off with the case of the Mondays. The Delaware State Lady Hornets volleyball and soccer didn't had the case of the Mondays instead they had the case of the Tuesdays (well for one night only to end the month of September).

Lets start with the Lady Hornets volleyball team who took their 5 match winning streak on the road in a Route 1 Rivalry game versus the University of Delaware.

During the Lady Blue Hens 3-0 victory, Delaware kept the lady hornets in checked the entire match holding them to .030 hitting percentage and kept DSU to scored in the teens (15, 19, and 17) during the three game set.

Now the lady hornets has less than 10 days to prepared for their MEAC conference opener at home versus Hampton.
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It was a heartbreaking game for the lady hornets soccer team as they tried to get their second win of the season or at least get a tied at home. Instead a goal that was deflected by a Delaware State helped Lafayette to secure a 1-0 victory.

Not only did the lady hornets soccer fall to 1-10 on the season but its 7th time that Delaware State has been shutout this season.