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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

Lady Hornets Volleyball on a Hot Streak

How hot are the lady hornets volleyball team? No, I'm not talking about their uniforms, I'm talking about their impressive five match winning streak. Last weekend the Lady Hornets were a perfect 3-0 at the Lafayette Invitational by beating Quinnipiac 3-2 to snap a seven match losing streak, LaSalle 3-0, and Lafayette 3-1.

Elisa Hermann led all tournament players with 38 kills, while Erica Tajchman was the tournament leader with a 27% hitting average. Also Martina Ferrari was the leader in assists (9.08pg) while her teammate Sonja Banicevic lead all tournament players with a averaged of 5.42 digs per game

Then the winning streak continued at the Spartian Invitational back on Saturday when Delaware State defeated Davidson 3-0 and Norfolk State 3-2.

Four different lady hornets collected double figures in digs with Banicevic leading the way with 26.

The lady hornets are are now 7-8 and looking to gain even more momentum heading into their showdown versus University of Delaware tonight in Newark, Delaware.

At Long Last A Win for Lady Hornets Soccer

After all those shutouts, close losses, and blowout loses, its nice to say that the Lady Hornets soccer team has won their 1st game of the season.

Sunday's 3-1 home victory over Wagner broke a 21 game winless streak dating back from September 19, 2009 vs Delaware. This was also the Lady Hornets 1st victory since September 14, 2009 vs VMI.

The Lady Hornets had a season high 13 shots and 11 shots on goal. Their offense woke up in a big when the lady hornets scored two goals in the 1st half.

In the 18th minute, Jeanette Salgado fired a 30 yard shot into the goal to give the DSU their 1st lead of the game and Theresa Wappett scored the lady hornets 2nd goal 20 minutes later (38th minute).

After halftime, Delaware State were able to maintain the lead throughout the entire game.

Also the reason why the Lady Hornets get their 1st win is because of goal keeper Courtney Hass who recorded 12 saves when Wagner had several scoring chances after cutting a 2-1 lead in the 2nd half.

I'm pretty sure the Lady Hornets Soccer will use this game as momentum when they tried and get their 1st road win of the season vs Canisius on Friday.

Missed Scoring Chances in FAMU Territory Cost the Hornets the Game

This game frustrates the Hornets football team and the fans during the Hornets 17-14 lost to Florida A&M. Think about the Hornets had four chances to score in FAMU's territory and come up with 0 points and two turnovers.

Whats worst is that the Hornets didn't have their place kicker Mario Diaz-Aviles on the field because he injured his leg back on September 5 vs Southern.

Lets break down the Hornets four missed opportunities to scored in FAMU Territory:

• Back in the 1st quarter the Hornets couldn't convert on a 4th down and turned the ball over on downs at the FAMU 19 yard line.
• Then in the 2nd quarter Jaashawn Jones fumbled the ball at the FAMU 16 yard line giving FAMU the football back.
• In the 3rd quarter Anthony Glaud threw a interception at the FAMU 6 to John Ojo
• Last but not least the 4th quarter jitters. With under 4 minutes left, the Hornets had the ball at the FAMU 31. Instead of going for it on 4th and 6 they decided to punt the ball.
• 
  
  In the final drive of the fourth quarter, on a 4th and 2 at the FAMU 38, Anthony Glaud was sacked by the Rattlers defense that allowed them to win the game.

The Hornets was in a disadvantage and it hurt them in the long run on special teams and offense.

I have to give the Hornets defense credit they prevent FAMU from doing anymore damage in the game. As for the Hornets offense, they almost had everything right, getting 1st downs, running the ball well, and throwing the ball (except for a some drop, penalties, and overthrown passes).

The Hornets did better than their last game vs Southern but once again the little things and  4th quarter jitters came back to haunt the Hornets again. Delaware State would've been 2-0 instead they are 0-2.

Hornets Just Couldn't Finished the Job they Started

Back on Sunday I was watching the MEAC/SWAC Challenge between Delaware State University and Southern University on ESPN and I was so excited for the season to start. When the game started, I knew right away that the Hornets were ready for the challenge after having a strong spring practice in April and a hard working training camp back in August.

Even though the Hornets was doing good there were plenty of game changers that lead Southern to a 37-27 victory.

The 1st game changer happened in the 2nd quarter after the hornets scored two touchdowns. After the 1st touchdown Larrone Morre was the holder for kicker Mario Diaz-Aviles to make the extra point. Instead Morre fumbled the snap and tried to run but Southern's defense tackled both of them.

Game changer number two: After the 2nd touchdown the Hornets had a new place holder, Hornets punter Martin Kano. Just like Lerrone Morre's fumbled the result was the same as Kano fumbled the snap and once again Southern's defense held them at bay but this one was different because Southern's returned the blocked extra point and took it downfield to cut the Hornets lead to 19-16.

The third game changer occurred after the Hornets score a touchdown on the 2nd drive of the third quarter, everything went upside down. The Hornets defense were on the field for too long allowing Southern University to drive down the field and scoring points especially the 4th quarter. The Hornets defense were on the field for over 10 minutes in the 3rd quarter and almost six minutes in the 4th quarter. Not only was the defense was on the field too long they were Hornets players (both offense and defense) were getting hurt due to heat cramps because of the new turf that was made in the Florida Citrus Bowl. The temperature on the turf was 95 degrees and rising and I'm not talking about the weather forecast either.

The 4th game changer occurred in the 4th quarter when the Hornets offense running game was out of sync and poor time management because the Hornets would've have time to throw the ball down field and scored a touchdown then get a onside kick to tried to get the ball back. Instead time played against them. Then the Hornets defense didn't get mature in the fourth quarter to allowed Southern to scored 21 points in the final period to win the game.

I knew this is a young team but the Hornets did not need to blow a 11 point lead to lose the game. Al Lavan and the Hornets will use this game as a learning tool and prepared for Joe Taylor and Florida A&M in their home opener this Saturday night in Dover. I checked the weather forecast and the field will not be as hot as Orlando because the game time temperature will be anywhere between the 70s and 60s. This Saturday night will be no excuse for the Hornets. This season the Hornets football season theme will be to start strong and finished the job.

Not a Fun Labor Day Weekend for Hornets Sports

I hope everyone had a wonderful labor day weekend spending time with family & friends playing games, watching TV, hanging out, having good conversations, and throwing the best bar-b-que's ever.

Unfortunately, the Hornets football, soccer, and volleyball teams went through a very tough labor day weekend that ended in defeats.

Let's start off with the Lady Hornets soccer team.  They were trying to get their first win of season and just like last year, the lady hornets couldn't get a lot of offensive help as they lost two road games to Binghamton 1-0 on September 3 and Cornell 6-0 on September 5. Whats more bad news is that not only did the lady hornets lose their first four games of the season, but they where shutout for three straight games. Ouch.

The Lady Hornets volleyball team had a one day stay at the Buffalo Invitational losing a tough match to Central Connecticut State 3-2 and Buffalo 3-0. During the lady hornets lost to Central Connecticut State, the lady hornets had chances to put the lady Devils away but Central Connecticut State rallied and won the the last two matches to secure the win. The host Buffalo took the lady hornets to the limit and couldn't let DSU get any wins in three straight matches.

Now on the Hornets football team. Everyone was hyped to see the Hornets football team return to their winning ways. Instead they blew a 11 point lead in the second half as Southern University took advantage of the Hornets fatigue and beat DSU in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge 37-27. The two highlights of the game belong to Larrone Morre and Andre Carrol. Larrone was great on offense and special teams posting 186 all purpose yards and two touchdowns. He scored a 90 yard touchdown return and a 86 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Plus Andre Carrol made a career high of 13 tackles for the Hornets defense that stayed out on the field for a long period of time. I will have more on the MEAC/SWAC game between Delaware State and Southern on my next blog.

Now that the long tough Labor Day weekend is over let see if the Hornets fall sports can get back on the winning track throughout the rest of September.