During the Hornets 42-21 lost to University of Delaware back on September 7, the hornets defense gave up some huge gaps on the gridiron that allowed the Blue Hens to piled up over 400 yards of offense.
In the 1st quarter of UD's second drive, Blue Hen quarter back Trent Hurley found wide receiver Michael Johnson for a long 55 yard touchdown pass. Hornets linebacker Devon Morre blew his assignment to cover Johnson not to mention the secondary to help him out. Then in the same quarter,the Hornets defense gave up 72 yards on UD's 12 plays that resulted in a 14-0 lead heading into the 2nd quarter.
During the 2nd quarter the Hornets gave up a 33 yard touchdown pass when Hurley found Rob Jones again in the endzone to make the score more difficult to catch up at 21-7. Right before halftime, the Hornets gave up a 83 yard drive that result in another touchdown to make it 35-7.
In the 2nd half the Hornets defense calm only to give up 7 points for the entire half.
Other stuff I notice from the Hornets defense is their inability to cover receivers that made hug chunk of yards for 1st downs. Also I did not see not one blitzing scheme from their defensive backs all game in order to pressure the quarter. No wonder DSU had no sacks in the game. They have go clean that up quickly. I figured out why because DSU is worried about the running game that UD will produce than the passing game.
Also during the game, UD was playing the hurry up offense. Kind like the Oregon Ducks or the 2 minute drill to throw off the defense.
If the Hornets defense thinks the Blue Hens was tough wait till Saturday night when DSU plays #5 Towson and the two time defending FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) National Champion North Dakota State next Saturday.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Hornets Football Camp Wrap-Up
Ever since football camp started back on August 7th, the Delaware State Hornets football team was gearing up for the upcoming 2013 season. There were some ups and downs during the three week training camp.
First, the Hornets were picked to finished 8th in MEAC Conference while other sports magazines picked DSU to finished 6th in conference. Coach Kermit Blount wasn't surprised about it due to the fact that Delaware State had a very tough schedule coming in front of them with four straight road games to start the season (Delaware, Towson, North Dakota State, and Savannah State). Trust me that is no easy task because after those road games in September, they will played their home opener vs defending MEAC Champion Bethune-Cookman on October 5th. Yikes!!! Talk about a barn burner.
During the two full contact scrimmages, the Hornets defense were tougher, stronger, and probality faster than last year. They were forcing turnovers left and right and halting almost everydrive the offense can mustard at them. Think about it almost most of the starters returned last year with one goal in mind for the upcoming season: to become the best defensive team in the MEAC Conference. Only time will tell on that predicament.
The biggest problem of all of training camp during those three weeks is the offense. So far through August 26, coach Blount has still not named a starting quarterback. All throughout camp, four quarterbacks have combined for only one touchdown. The bright lone spot was Milton Williams who is working hard to become the Hornets number one wide receiver. The question is who is Hornets number two wide reciever? That answer is up for grabs and so is quarterback position. This will be coach Blount toughest decision he will ever make and this is only his third year Delaware State.
Also the Hornets offensive line is very thin with only one starter and the rest of the offensive line who only played reserved last season, will get more time at starting line. How are they going to protect their quarter from getting pressured and not to mention create a gap for the running backs to run routes? So far they kept getting run down from left to right in almost every aspect.
Speaking of running backs, Malcolm Williams, Dae Hon Chueng, and Najee Jackson have been quiet during this summer's camp but those three should be top shape form come September 7.
Now that summer training camp has come to a close, are the Hornets football ready for the real deal and win football games. To me I doubt because they still some issues to addressed and fixed between now and before September 7th or DSU will be in for very very long season.
First, the Hornets were picked to finished 8th in MEAC Conference while other sports magazines picked DSU to finished 6th in conference. Coach Kermit Blount wasn't surprised about it due to the fact that Delaware State had a very tough schedule coming in front of them with four straight road games to start the season (Delaware, Towson, North Dakota State, and Savannah State). Trust me that is no easy task because after those road games in September, they will played their home opener vs defending MEAC Champion Bethune-Cookman on October 5th. Yikes!!! Talk about a barn burner.
During the two full contact scrimmages, the Hornets defense were tougher, stronger, and probality faster than last year. They were forcing turnovers left and right and halting almost everydrive the offense can mustard at them. Think about it almost most of the starters returned last year with one goal in mind for the upcoming season: to become the best defensive team in the MEAC Conference. Only time will tell on that predicament.
The biggest problem of all of training camp during those three weeks is the offense. So far through August 26, coach Blount has still not named a starting quarterback. All throughout camp, four quarterbacks have combined for only one touchdown. The bright lone spot was Milton Williams who is working hard to become the Hornets number one wide receiver. The question is who is Hornets number two wide reciever? That answer is up for grabs and so is quarterback position. This will be coach Blount toughest decision he will ever make and this is only his third year Delaware State.
Also the Hornets offensive line is very thin with only one starter and the rest of the offensive line who only played reserved last season, will get more time at starting line. How are they going to protect their quarter from getting pressured and not to mention create a gap for the running backs to run routes? So far they kept getting run down from left to right in almost every aspect.
Speaking of running backs, Malcolm Williams, Dae Hon Chueng, and Najee Jackson have been quiet during this summer's camp but those three should be top shape form come September 7.
Now that summer training camp has come to a close, are the Hornets football ready for the real deal and win football games. To me I doubt because they still some issues to addressed and fixed between now and before September 7th or DSU will be in for very very long season.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Home Football Times Changed Again
If you did or didn't see the 2013 Delaware State Hornets football schedule several weeks ago on dsuhornets.com, then look very closely.
We all know that the Hornets first home game of the season is not until October 5th vs Bethune-Cookman but I noticed the times of the football home games have changed.
From 2008-2012 DSU home football games were changed from 12pm to 1pm. Back then during the 1970s, 80s, 90s and 2000s Hornet home football games usually kicked off at 12pm. I wonder why the sudden changes?
Maybe because of time conflicts, or something else I don't know. One thing I do know is that its all about time management and balance.
Will these times stay the way it is for next year and for the foreseeable future is yet to be seen but I hope Hornet fans will get to the game early and get their seats. That way we will not have low attendance numbers like we had the last several years.
We all know that the Hornets first home game of the season is not until October 5th vs Bethune-Cookman but I noticed the times of the football home games have changed.
From 2008-2012 DSU home football games were changed from 12pm to 1pm. Back then during the 1970s, 80s, 90s and 2000s Hornet home football games usually kicked off at 12pm. I wonder why the sudden changes?
Maybe because of time conflicts, or something else I don't know. One thing I do know is that its all about time management and balance.
Will these times stay the way it is for next year and for the foreseeable future is yet to be seen but I hope Hornet fans will get to the game early and get their seats. That way we will not have low attendance numbers like we had the last several years.
Monday, July 29, 2013
No Surprise Here
Back on Friday during MEAC Media Luncheon Conference, the Delaware State Hornets football team is predicted to finished 8th in the MEAC Conference.
Now don't get me wrong, last year the Hornets were picked to finished 10th in the standings instead they finished tied for third at 5-3. Will this happen again this season?
To me I doubt it for two good reasons: offense and a tough schedule.
On offense, quarterback Nick Elko, and wide receivers Justin Wilson and Travis Tarplay have graduated and moved on to future endeavors in life. Now with two new quarterbacks, new wide receivers and returning running backs in Dae Hon Chenug, Malcolm Williams, and Nagee Jackson I said this Hornets offense is in for a real struggle. I have no concern about the Hornets defense yet that will be in a future blog later.
The Hornets schedule looks pretty tough just like 2009-2012. All September the Hornets will play four road games straight starting with University of Delaware, Towson, North Dakota State and Savannah State. Their first home game is not until October 5 vs defending MEAC Champion Bethune-Cookman not to mention the Homecoming game vs Norfolk State October 12. The Hornets are going to be in a tough six game stretch that will determine their season.
Then again who knows anything can happen this season but that's up to coach Kermit Blount and his coaching staff to make all the right plays this season. That will put to the test start with training camp next Wednesday in Dover.
Now don't get me wrong, last year the Hornets were picked to finished 10th in the standings instead they finished tied for third at 5-3. Will this happen again this season?
To me I doubt it for two good reasons: offense and a tough schedule.
On offense, quarterback Nick Elko, and wide receivers Justin Wilson and Travis Tarplay have graduated and moved on to future endeavors in life. Now with two new quarterbacks, new wide receivers and returning running backs in Dae Hon Chenug, Malcolm Williams, and Nagee Jackson I said this Hornets offense is in for a real struggle. I have no concern about the Hornets defense yet that will be in a future blog later.
The Hornets schedule looks pretty tough just like 2009-2012. All September the Hornets will play four road games straight starting with University of Delaware, Towson, North Dakota State and Savannah State. Their first home game is not until October 5 vs defending MEAC Champion Bethune-Cookman not to mention the Homecoming game vs Norfolk State October 12. The Hornets are going to be in a tough six game stretch that will determine their season.
Then again who knows anything can happen this season but that's up to coach Kermit Blount and his coaching staff to make all the right plays this season. That will put to the test start with training camp next Wednesday in Dover.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Hornets MEAC Tournament Preview
Well today is the day, its time for the Delaware State Men's and Women's basketball team to showcase their skills during the 2013 Mid Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament here in the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. This morning at 11am the the ninth seed DSU lady hornets will play in the 1st round for the fourth straight year as they take on the number eight seed Bethune-Cookman.
In their 1st and only meeting of the season at Daytona Beach, Florida, the lady hornets blew a nine point lead but prevail in overtime 62-57 in overtime back on January 26 thanks to Jade Washington's game winning lay up with 34 seconds left and Taisha Bristow's four clutch free throws.
The lady hornets finished ninth in the MEAC at 6-10 in Tamika Louis' first year as Delaware State. She knows that her team will have their hands full especially after growing pains the Lady Hornets went through this season. Now the Lady Hornets will have dig deep in order to get to the quarter-finals to face Hampton with their best offense they can.
Think about it the lady hornets are ninth in the MEAC in scoring but their turnovers is hard to watch everytime they play by averaging almost 21 turnovers a game. Also their defense has been pretty rough this season finishing third to last in the MEAC in scoring defense. Ever heard of hands up defense? Tierra hawkins and Bristow is going to need a third and fourth scorer in order to help DSU and that has to be Deanna Harmon and Keyanna Tate.
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As for the DSU men's basketball team, they play a night cap as the sixth seed when they play the 11th seed Howard University.
Howard is still having nightmares after getting swept in the season series but the biggest nightmare came back on January 23 when Tahj Tate made two highlighted poster dunks that had Hornet fans going crazy. Howard will never forget and never forgive what happen on that very day. Expect the Bison to give the Hornets a fight like no other and I'm pretty sure Alphonso Leary has a defensive mind set on Tate after being on the wrong end of a poster dunk.
The Hornet men better take Howard lightly, (remember UMES and South Carolina?) or else they will be in for early elimination.
I'm pretty sure coach Greg Jackson Sr. has some new ideas on how the Hornets run this offense because trust me the slow down game will not work with Howard or any other team in the tournament if they advance that far. Also the Hornets biggest weakness is their three point shooting especially when they shoot 27% as a team during the regular season. The hornets has got to attack the paint more due to the fact that other MEAC opponents are turning DSU into a jump shooting team with no balanced scoring due to their opponents height. So what that means is this, Tate has to step up (sixth man or not), Casey Walker has to step up, Maques Oliver has to step up, Kendall Gray has to step up, Miles Bowman, has to step and the point guard of A.J. Thomas, Jabari Joyner, Khali Thomas, and Amere May has to play point guard not shooting guard in order for Delaware State to move to the quarterfinals. The winner of this game will play the third seed Hampton on Thursday night.
Good luck Delaware State, even though I won't be there in Norfolk to support in person, rest assured I will wear my Columbia blue and red today in Newark, Delaware to watch the game online on meachoops.com.
In their 1st and only meeting of the season at Daytona Beach, Florida, the lady hornets blew a nine point lead but prevail in overtime 62-57 in overtime back on January 26 thanks to Jade Washington's game winning lay up with 34 seconds left and Taisha Bristow's four clutch free throws.
The lady hornets finished ninth in the MEAC at 6-10 in Tamika Louis' first year as Delaware State. She knows that her team will have their hands full especially after growing pains the Lady Hornets went through this season. Now the Lady Hornets will have dig deep in order to get to the quarter-finals to face Hampton with their best offense they can.
Think about it the lady hornets are ninth in the MEAC in scoring but their turnovers is hard to watch everytime they play by averaging almost 21 turnovers a game. Also their defense has been pretty rough this season finishing third to last in the MEAC in scoring defense. Ever heard of hands up defense? Tierra hawkins and Bristow is going to need a third and fourth scorer in order to help DSU and that has to be Deanna Harmon and Keyanna Tate.
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As for the DSU men's basketball team, they play a night cap as the sixth seed when they play the 11th seed Howard University.
Howard is still having nightmares after getting swept in the season series but the biggest nightmare came back on January 23 when Tahj Tate made two highlighted poster dunks that had Hornet fans going crazy. Howard will never forget and never forgive what happen on that very day. Expect the Bison to give the Hornets a fight like no other and I'm pretty sure Alphonso Leary has a defensive mind set on Tate after being on the wrong end of a poster dunk.
The Hornet men better take Howard lightly, (remember UMES and South Carolina?) or else they will be in for early elimination.
I'm pretty sure coach Greg Jackson Sr. has some new ideas on how the Hornets run this offense because trust me the slow down game will not work with Howard or any other team in the tournament if they advance that far. Also the Hornets biggest weakness is their three point shooting especially when they shoot 27% as a team during the regular season. The hornets has got to attack the paint more due to the fact that other MEAC opponents are turning DSU into a jump shooting team with no balanced scoring due to their opponents height. So what that means is this, Tate has to step up (sixth man or not), Casey Walker has to step up, Maques Oliver has to step up, Kendall Gray has to step up, Miles Bowman, has to step and the point guard of A.J. Thomas, Jabari Joyner, Khali Thomas, and Amere May has to play point guard not shooting guard in order for Delaware State to move to the quarterfinals. The winner of this game will play the third seed Hampton on Thursday night.
Good luck Delaware State, even though I won't be there in Norfolk to support in person, rest assured I will wear my Columbia blue and red today in Newark, Delaware to watch the game online on meachoops.com.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
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.
Monday, September 24, 2012
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.
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