Delaware State snaps four-game losing streak with 48-10 win over Virginia Lynchburg

All quiet in the first, but DSU gets rolling in the second quarter.

Both offenses struggled in the opening quarter as the two units combined for 157 yards in five drives with no points to show for it on the scoreboard.

But in the second quarter, that would all change as the offensive units would start to find their stride and points start flying on the board.

The first scoring drive of the game belonged to Virginia Lynchburg at the 12:20 minute mark in the second quarter, where the team marched 56 yards in eight plays to end with quarterback CJ Brooks finding wide Receiver Jason Scirigione for a four-yard touchdown reception to give their team a 7-0 lead with 7:51 left in the first half.

Two drives later, the Dragons looked to duplicate their first scoring drive of the game, but it wouldn’t happen, as on the third play of the series, on a second and nine from their own 11-yard line, CJ Brooks’s pass would be intercepted by Delaware State’s defensive back Romell Harris-Freeman, who returned it for 22 yards for the score to tie the game at seven.

After the pick-six, Virginia Lynchburg would respond by driving 64 yards in six plays to end with kicker Avery Burch booting a 32-yard field goal through the uprights to give his team a 10-7 edge with 2:51 left in the second quarter.

The Dragons running back Jacob Walker ran like a man on a mission in this series as gained 64 yards.

DSU’s offense didn’t need to hit the field, as after Virginia Lynchburg’s score, the Hornets’ Rahkeem Smith would return the kickoff for 88 yards for a touchdown to give his team a 14-10 edge at halftime.

Hornets add 24 points to their lead in the third quarter.

Delaware State would get the ball first in the second half, and the team would start their drive at their own 25-yard line. They would not waste this chance, as DSU plowed 53 yards down the field in 11 plays to end, with kicker Nathan Wilson hitting a 39-yard field goal to push the score to 17-10 with 9:05 left in the third quarter.

The highlight play on this drive was on a second and five at the Dragons’ 44-yard line when the Hornets running back, Marquis Gillis, ran for 20 yards.

Two drives later, the Hornets’ scoring machine would continue to churn, as the team went 49 yards in eight plays to end with quarterback Marqui Adams finding his receiver Rahkeem Smith for a 12-yard touchdown catch to extend their team’s edge to 24-10 with 3:10 remaining in the third quarter.

Virginia Lynchburg could not stop Delaware State’s offense in the third, as at the 2:51 minute mark, the Hornets would drive 52 yards in three plays to end, with tight end EJ Cole rushing the ball in for the one-yard touchdown to expand the team’s advantage to 31-10 with 1:06 left in the quarter.

Other than the touchdown, the highlight play on the drive was on a second and two from the Dragons’ 44-yard line, when Adams found his wide receiver NyGhee Lolley for a 43-yard reception.

After DSU’s touchdown, Virginia Lynchburg would go three and out and, on their next drive, they would be forced to punt the ball. On the punt, Delaware State’s Rahkeem Smith would return it for 60 yards for a touchdown to put his team up 38-10 at the end of the third quarter.

Delaware State scores ten more points in the fourth to seal the win!

Fast forward to the 8:53 minute mark in the final quarter, where the Hornets would hold the ball at the Dragons 27 yard line. The Hornets would move only five yards in four plays but would end with Nathan Wilson making a 39-yard field goal to push his team’s lead to 41-10 with 8:03 left in the game.

The last scoring drive for DSU started at their own 36-yard line with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter. Delaware State would move the ball 64 yards in five plays to end, with quarterback Aaron Angelos finding wideout Konner Blount-Foster for the one-yard touchdown reception to take the score to 48-10 with 4:48 left in the game.

The Hornets’ offense was moving in the second half, but the defense really came through for them to seal the win, as the Dragons had 29 yards in seven drives.

Team Stats:

First Downs: DSU 21 &  VL 10

Third Efficiency (%): DSU (5 of 12) & VL (4 of 15)

Total Offense: DSU 449& VL 197

Net Yards Passing: DSU 201& VL 137

Net Yards Rushing: DSU248 & VL 60

Penalties: DSU 9–79& VL 4-34

Fumbles: DSU 0 & VL 0

Sacks: DSU 5& VL 2

Interceptions: DSU 2 & VL 0

Time of Possession: DSU 29:54 & VL 26:54