Hornets Can Put The Term "Moral Victories" To Bed For Now

Back on Saturday the Delaware State Hornets football made big plays where it matter the most in a 20-17 victory over the defending MEAC (Mid Eastern Athletic Conference) Champions Norfolk State.

In the 1st half, I thought it was going to be a back and forth game because think about it both teams really want to take their frustrations out on each other for good reasons.

For DSU after their first win of the season vs VMI at home, the Hornets were place with the term "Moral Victories" stamped on their foreheads even though they played hard to stay in the game. With 3 straight losses to in-state Rival University of Delaware, Cincinnati, and Florida A&M, DSU had a bye week to figure out a way get the victories with a W instead of losses.

For Norfolk State they are coming off some tough losses, October 6 a 14-0 shutout loss at the hands of South Carolina State, and September 15th 37-36 heartbreaking overtime lost at the hands of Howard University at home not to mention a 44-10 beatdown at the hands of Ohio University in September 22 (not Ohio State).

After a good 1st half, the Hornets were only down four 17-13 at halftime but when the 2nd half began Both teams were playing a very good defense as both teams could not connect points on offense in the 3rd quarter.

When the 4th quarter started Norfolk State was marching down the field trying to chew up as much time as they can so they scored an insurance touchdown. There was one big penalty that changed the whole game around: A Norfolk Unsportsmanlike penalty while skipping towards the endzone forces Norfolk not only 15 yards from the previous spot but the touchdown was wiped off.

Hornets did get the ball off the fumble and went on to scored the game winning touchdown by Justin Brewton with under 10 minutes left. Hornets defense kept the Spartans at bay for the rest of the game especially in the final minutes of the game when Devon Moore caught an interception to seal the deal. In all the Hornets defense force four turnovers

Now the Hornets can put the term "moral victories" to rest and concentrate on building a new winning streak. In fact that bye week helped the Hornets greatly and ready to improve their winning ways vs South Carolina State. A tough test indeed but that game will prove to tell who the Hornets are really are, a moral victory team or a team to be reckon with.

Chenug Gave Hornets Running Game A Spark

Remember last year when the Delaware State Hornets football team almost had no running game all season? Remember that same football team that was in the bottom three of the FCS (Football Championship Sub-Division) when it comes to rushing yards?

Well during the past two games the Hornets running game is getting so good so far. Back on September 15, Malcolm Williams ran for 120 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort vs Cincinnati before hurting his ankle.

Now fast forward to Saturday night when Dae-Hon Chenug made his 1st ever start in a Hornet uniform in place of the injured Williams and man did he made a big impact rushing for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort vs Florida A&M.

In the 1st half, Chenug was making first down after first down finding holes through the defense with help from his offensive line and helping the Hornets keep their drive alive by scoring on the opening drive of the game from 10 yards out. He finished with 100 yards in the 1st half, and it was impressive. In the 2nd half though Cheung was held to 38 yards in the 2nd half due to Nick Elko's passing attack because DSU was down by 11 points early in the 3rd quarter. However Chenug did scored another touchdown from 22 yards out to help out the scoring can cut the rattler lead down to a one score game.

Chenug wasn't the only Hornet running back that contribute rushing yards, Nagee Jackson scored a 5 yard touchdown run to help cut the FAMU lead to two in the fourth quarter and Quadir Bryant had 3 carries for 15, Elko had an extra eight yards rushing respectively.

If the Hornets running game continues to improve for the rest of the season then this Hornets team will be the real deal.

Hornets Defense Gave Cincinnati Problems

Even in a losing effort vs the University of Cincinnati on ESPN3.com Saturday night, I applaud the Delaware State Hornets defense throughout the entire.

Sure once again the Hornets defense gave up 467 yards and allowed a 100 yard runner for the second time this season, but this Hornets defense is improving a lot compared to last year especially in a tough non-conference schedule through the first three games.

The Hornets defense forced not one, not two, not threw, but six turnovers. Let me say that again six turnovers.

In the first half , Bearcat quarterback Muchie Legaux threw his first interception to Cameron Judge for Cincinnati's first turnover of the game. The other two were fumbles, one by Anthony McClung who was running into the endzone before Joe Boyd knocked the football away from McCluung as it rolls into the back of the endzone for a touchback. Finally Travis Kelce fumbled the ball by Olusegun Ayanbiola inside the DSU 35 yard line.

In the 2nd half, inside the redzone, Legaux threw another interception this time at the hands of Devon Morre, then as the Bearcats were driving again, Legaux fumbles the football after the sack inside the redzone, and finally Legaux gets sacked again by Ayanbiola again at the DSU 34 and lost the football at the progress.

Speaking of sacks, the Hornets swarming defense added two sacks to grow more frustration from the Cincinnati coaches, players, and fans who assume that this game was a cake walk. One things for sure that this was not the same Cincinnati Bearcats team that destroyed Pittsburgh back on September 6.

The only bad news I can say about this game is that Delaware State couldn't capitalize those six turnovers into points. DSU had chances don't get me wrong but the Hornets offense were quiet for most of the game but there was a bright spot by Malcolm Williams' 60 yard touchdown run to cut the lead 20-7 before the Bearcats seal the game with a field goal late in the 4th quarter.

Coach Kermitt Blount was proud of his team for fighting hard and keeping the game close as possible. Now the Hornets will have dig deep because they begin their MEAC schedule with Florida A&M on September 22 at home.

The Hit That Will Be Talk About

Even though the Hornets lost the Route 1 rivalry vs the University of Delaware back on Saturday on the NBC Sports Network, the Hornets wanted to send a message to the Blue Hens that will make them something to remember by.

Back in the 2nd quarter, the Blue Hens was in DSU territory when the Hornets' Davon Morre put a "hit stick" on UD's wide receiver Rob Jones. I know me and other Hornet fans that were watching this was like, "Whoa he hit him in the mustache uh-oh!!!!"

To me and other Hornet fans that was a clean hit, but the refrees and UD fans see it other wise as Morre was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

After that penalty, UD took serveal more plays to scored another touchdown to take a 28-7 lead.

Some of the Blue Hen fans says that DSU is a dirty team after that hit. Dirty team? Don't make me laugh. The officials made a bailout call to have UD give time to have an extra set of downs. I mean come on how you can tackle player, play touch/flag football.

I know safety is the main issue for football players but some times you will get beaten, battered, and bruised. That's the way a football game goes and besides what a better way to play defense? Hmmm answer that question.

That Moore hit reminds me of other linebackers that can make opponents in the mustache  like Russell "the hitman" Reeves, Jamal Trout, and Kelly "Spade" Rouse to name a few.

With that hit that Devon made, DSU made their message loud and clear that DSU are not pushovers and will play you tough and will be here to stay for the Route 1 Rivalry whether if its a one side affair or not.

Super Nick Saves The Day

(In my Mikey Day voice) Ayo Nick, Ayo Nick, Ayo Nick, Ayo Nick.

That was the expression I was using during the Hornets 17-10 home victory over Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in which Nick Elko scored the game winning touchdown with less than 45 seconds left in the 4th quarter.

Elko was calm cool and collected throughout the whole game despite getting sacked three times and making a few mistakes. So what did Elko do to make up for those few mistakes and three sacks? Here's what Elko did before putting on the Superman cape:

• With 42 seconds left before halftime, Elko lead the Hornets to a eight play 80 yard drive including a 26 yard touchdown pass to Travis Tarplay to give the Hornets a 10-0 halftime lead. Elko was six-for-seven for 79 yards during that drive.
• After VMI tied the game at 10-10 with a 22 yard field goal by John Sexton with 2:32 left in the 4th quarter, Nick Elko once again delivered completing a five yard pass to Justin Wilson to the VMI 39.
• After a VMI penalty, the Hornets moved closer to the Keydets' 26. Two plays later Elki found Tarplay for 14 yards to the VMI 12.
• It was second and goal and DSU is at the VMI 4 yard line, Elko took the snap, fake the hand off  and went to the right side of the field untouched for the game winning touchdown.

It was bootleg play design by Coach Kermitt Blount and Elko, a play that proved effective in order for the hornets to win their 1st game of the season. I hope Elko can make more bootleg plays throughout most of the season so that way their opponents will get dazed and confused.

Hornets Football on TV and Online

Even though 1290AM The Ticket (WTXX) will not be broadcasting any Hornet football games this season, you can catch three Hornet games on your television sets and on the worldwide web.

Last year  Hornets Football  were not on TV or any website for Hornet fans to watch.

Hornet fans mark your calenders for:

September 8: DSU vs University of Delaware game starts at 3:30pm on the NBC Sports Network

September 15: DSU vs Cincinnati game starts at 7pm online on ESPN3.com

October 25: DSU vs Morgan State game starts at 7:30pm on ESPNU

With those three games it is very hard to tell if the Hornets can perform well in front a national television/internet audience.

Hornets Training Camp Day 1

Earlier today, the Delaware State Hornets football team begin their 1st day of training camp and the theme for this training camp according to head coach Kermit Blount is to develop strong team chemistry.

About 30 new players came to Hornets training camp today and they very excited to get started and ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.

Highlight from day 1 of training camp included station to station drills, 7-on-7, and special teams activities.

Coach Blount told dsuhornets.com that each practice will be very critical to everyone because they have a very tough schedule to deal with starting with the 1st game of the year vs Virgina Military Institute September 1 at home.

DSU vs UD Again in Hoops This Winter

Even though the Delaware State Men's Basketball schedule has not been release until later in August I took a stroll to the University of Delaware's sports websites (bluehens.com) and found out that DSU will play UD once again in the battle of the 1st state in Newark, Delaware on December 8.

The last time these two teams played in Newark was December 11, 2010 when the Blue Hens beat the Hornets 61-50. The was the year of the free falling Hornets at that time.

Last year here in Dover it was the 1st and only meeting between the Threatt brothers Jay and Jarvis but Jarvis' Blue Hens had the last laugh on the Hornets 58-42. Doing that game the Hornets struggled out of the game and couldn't recover and to make matters worst the Hornets played without their starter Tahj Tate due to suspension.

The hornets 1st and only win versus the Blue Hens was here at home when DSU won 75-67 thanks to Frisco Sandidge's career high of 26 points. Throughout most of the second half Delaware State went to the free throw line 37 times in order to secured the victory.

This year will be different Tahj Tate will get to play the Blue Hens for the 1st time in his career and hopefully the game will be completely different. Until then only time will on how the 2012-2013 season will be for coach Greg Jackson Sr. and his fellow Hornets.

DSU's MEAC Tournament Preview

Well, well Hornet fans here we are at the 2012 MEAC Tournament from The Joel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Sadly this will be the final year that Winston-Salem will host the MEAC Tournament because last month the MEAC Conference announced that the tournament will be held in Norfolk, Virginia next year through 2015.

Now, on to this week, starting tonight, the Delaware State Lady Hornets basketball team will play in the 1st round game versus the same team they beat last Thursday in a buzzer-beater wire to wire victory: South Carolina State University. I can tell South Carolina State is still fuming from their lost last week and will do what ever they can get their payback.

As for the lady hornets they are entering the MEAC riding a two game winning streak and looking to go for third straight win. If the lady hornets want to move on to the quarterfinals versus Howard, they will have make very good offensive plays especially when the shot clock is running down. Limit their turnovers because they make double-digit turnovers in almost every game win or lose, bring their defensive pressure to another level without fouling, and of course rebound, rebound rebound.

On to the Hornets men's basketball team, their quarterfinal game will not be until Thursday night. The #3 seed Hornets is probability still stinging from last Monday's bizarre controversial lost at the hands of Morgan State. They wish they were they were either the #2 seed or #1 seed if it wasn't for a technical foul that was called against the fans, the Hornets would stay in the race with one game left.

However, after last Thursday's win versus South Carolina State, coach Greg Jackson Sr. notices something was wrong with this picture, the Hornets were playing lazy on defense and not rebounding the ball because the Bulldogs made offensive rebounds and scoring second chance points. That is something that coach Jackson does not want to see happen in the MEAC Tournament. DSU will play their quarerfinal versus either Coppin State or Florida A&M Thursday night. I will like to see the Hornets play Florida A&M, because Coppin State is very good this season at three point shooting. Also remember back on February 11, the Hornets were down by double digits before Marques Oliver's game winning three point play help the Hornets win at the buzzer in Baltimore.

The key plays for DSU is similar to the lady hornets, limit their turnovers, make very good offensive plays with the shot clock running down, score points in the paint, cut down on the three point shots, plays very good defense without fouling, make your free throws, and rebound, rebound rebound. I don't know why I kept saying rebound like I'm a cheerleader but its the truth.

Also one more key play for both the DSU men's and women's basketball teams: will their bench production be enough to win the tournament? There's only way to find out and it begins tonight. Good luck to the Delaware State men's and women's basketball team in the MEAC Tournament. Let the madness begin. HORNETS!!!

Winning at the Right Time; Refuse to Quit

Even though the Hornets eight game winning streak came to an end on Saturday night at the hands of Gardner-Webb, the Delaware State men's basketball team is maturing and hitting all the right notes.

After suffering back to back heartbreaking defeats at the hands of University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Bethune-Cookman at home back in January, DSU were saying to themselves enough is enough.

DSU broke a eight game losing streak by beating Florida A&M at home by 14 on January 23rd, and since then the wins kept piling up:

-defeated North Carolina Central by 6 in their only meeting of the season

-held North Carolina A&T to one field goal over the final 13 minutes to win by 13 points in front a tough crowd of The Dawg Pound

-Hornets made a big statement at home vs 1st place Norfolk State without starters Tahj Tate and Kendall Gray due to injuries by winning by 17 points and kept MEAC pre-season player of the year Kyle O'Quinn in check

-DSU made another big statement by defeating the MEAC Tournament champion Hampton in a rivalry game building momentum for their five game road trip

The road trip was full of comebacks, defense, and fantastic finishes at the buzzer:

-Down 12 points to Coppin State with 4:57 left in the 2nd half, Delaware State went on a furious rally, by going a 13-3 run including a poster dunk by Tahj Tate and a game winning three point play (layup & free throw) by Marcus Oliver to complete the comeback leaving the Golden Eagle crowd stunned

-Down 11 points to Morgan State with under 10 minutes left DSU went on a 12-2 run to cut the lead the lead to one point. Then Marcus Oliver delivers again with the game winning tip shot at the buzzer leaving Bears fans crowd stunned

-Norfolk State was en route to winning the game at home but the Hornets stay in the game throughout the 2nd half. In the final seconds, Tyshawn Bell game winning three point shot was misfired until Tate's game tying put back forced overtime. During that overtime period, DSU outscored Norfolk State 14-4 to win the game by 10 points.

Coach Greg Jackson Sr. and his coaching staff is proud of his for their maturely and their defensive pressure since January. Still the Hornets have a long way to go in the regular season and heading into the MEAC Tournament come March 6th. The Hornets are playing with passion, pride, and giving MEAC teams a fight on every given night with chemistry.

Delaware State really miss Kendall Gray due to a knee injury and hoping he will be back for the MEAC Tournament. In the meantime Delaware State needs to fix some things as they start a new winning streak, start the game strong and finish strong, make your free throws down the stretch, and rebound, rebound, rebound.

Also DSU's main guys of Jay Threatt, Casey Walker, Oliver, Tate, James Marcellus, and Tyshawn Bell were playing a lot of minutes during their winning streak. That can only mean one thing, the bench production needs to step up in a huge because if not they will be in a lot of trouble.

The Free Fall Continues for the Lady Hornets

From 2003-2009 the Delaware State Lady Hornets basketball team were the team to watch in the MEAC Conference. Their defense made their MEAC opponents look silly on offense by forcing a lot a turnovers, missing shots left and right, and even made some of the players and coaches lose focus on the task at hand. Plus they finds ways to win games on offense almost every season including winning the 2007 MEAC Tournament Championship.

That was then, ever since 2009-2010 basketball season, the lady hornets team are trying to find an identity of who they are. Injuries, lack of offense, bad defense, losing good players, and trying to function at the wrong time  have lead to some very bad losses. Everytime the lady hornets dig a big hole, they can't seem to get out of no matter how hard they try.

Make no mistake Ed Davis and his coaching staff have good players but they don't a winning attitude about how chemistry works. If a team can't step up you will end up losing games in the worst way. Speaking of the worst way the lady hornets are almost dead last in the MEAC Conference standing through February 12. The lady hornets was not won a home game since December 11th when they rallied to beat St. Francis. Even though the lady Hornets won a road game vs. North Carolina Central back on January 28th, the lady hornets has lost 12 of their 13 games. They have made bad records this season on their shooting, turnovers, allowing more opponents points.


As the free fall continues, the frustrations just keeps on growing on the entire team. Makes me wonder, have they giving up on themselves? I don't think but they need to learn the Ed Davis system because trust me if they keep playing with no energy for the rest of this year and next season, then I don't know what the lady hornets will become five to 10 years from now if they don't know how to wake up.

Sorry for the Delay

Hey Hornet fans, its me Clarence Varnado (DSU Class of 2009). As you can tell I'm in a blog funk due to my computer being on the fritz since October 2011. None the less, my computer is fixed and ready to go. I will continue to write more Hornet blogs this year than ever before as I continue to bring you Delaware State Hornets Sports. As you can tell we have two new women's sports, Golf and Lacrosse, also we a successful recruitment during National Signing Day back on Wednesday, followed by Lady Hornets bowling and Equestrian continuing to maintain success this year. Last but not least, we have a new Hornet Mascot last month, his name is Too Fly. He will bring joy and excitement to any Delaware State event on campus. That's all for me right for right now but I do have more blogs on the way all year long so fasten your seat belts we are in for great 2K12. HORNETS!!!