It was a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football opener at Alumni Stadium in Dover on October 23, and while Delaware State exploded out of the gate, their momentum evaporated fast, resulting in a tough 31-12 loss to North Carolina Central. The Hornets scored first, but the Eagles scored *frequently*, and that’s the story of how a promising start turned into a season-shaping defeat.
The Hornet’s Blazing Start Fizzles
DSU actually got on the board incredibly quick, just 71 seconds into the game! Kyree Benton broke free for a 26-yard touchdown on an end-around run, electrifying the home crowd. What’s wild is that score came immediately after a near-disaster: starting quarterback Jayden Sauray threw an interception on the second snap, but Terrence Rone saved the day, recovering the fumbled ball for the Hornets. That quick recovery and score had to feel like they were ready to roll, didn’t it?
NC Central Took Over, And Never Looked Back
Yeah, about that “ready to roll” feeling? It didn’t last. North Carolina Central absolutely hammered DSU with 31 unanswered points. The Eagles’ offense, once it got going, was unstoppable, and a huge part of that was Gino Addison. This guy was a beast, racking up a ridiculous 214 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. NCCU quarterback Cobey Thompkins was surgical, too, completing 15 of 18 passes for 155 yards and another touchdown. They just kept coming, drive after drive.
Offensive Struggles and Missed Chances for DSU
Meanwhile, the Hornets offense could not get anything going after that initial burst. They managed a measly 257 total yards for the entire game. Worse? Their third-down conversion rate was brutal, converting only 1 of 8 attempts. Sauray really struggled after that early interception, going 2-for-7 passing for 50 yards with two more interceptions. Ui Ale stepped in and was more efficient, completing 9 of 10 passes for 74 yards. Marqui Adams even scored the game’s final touchdown on a 10-yard keeper, but by then, it was way too late.
This loss drops Delaware State to 4-4, and it’s their first home defeat of the season. North Carolina Central, now 3-5, showed they’re not to be underestimated, especially when their key players like Addison get rolling. For DSU, this Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener has to be a wake-up call. They showed they can start fast, but sustaining that against a tough conference opponent is a whole different beast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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