FAIRFIELD, Connecticut — Delaware State mounted an impressive comeback Saturday night, highlighted by a 39-yard rushing touchdown from , to erase a 9-7 third-quarter deficit to defeat Sacred Heart 17-15.
The victory improved Delaware State’s record to 1-1 on the season while the Pioneers fell to 0-1. It was DSU’s first win over an FCS squad since it beat South Carolina State in Nov. 2022.
Jaden Sutton led all Hornets rushers with 86 yards and one touchdown in the contest, picking up 6.6 yards per carry. Marqui Adams also added 44 yards on the ground.
Kristian Tate reeled in two catches for 43 yards and one score.
Christian Garrett paced the Delaware State defensive effort, totaling five tackles and one interception. Wayne Favors III added six tackles and one interception and C.J. Henry had in the win.
The Hornets won the turnover battle in Saturday’s game, forcing two turnovers while avoiding any giveways, with Delaware State turning those takeaways into seven points.
Delaware State’s defense held up against Sacred Heart’s offense, allowing 341 total yards. The Hornets defense disrupted the Sacred Heart passing attack on the way to pulling down two interceptions.
How It Happened
Sacred Heart scored first to take a 3-0 lead, but Delaware State fired back with 6:43 remaining in the second quarter to go up 7-3. Sacred Heart responded to go ahead 9-7 before the Hornets got on the scoreboard again on a 29-yard field goal from to retake the lead at 10-9.
DSU continued to extend its lead, scoring again with 7:20 remaining in the fourth quarter to go up 17-9. Delaware State didn’t score again in the game and Sacred Heart tacked on six more points to finish off the game.
Game Highlights
Delaware State won the turnover battle 2-0 after picking off two passes.
The Hornets had two players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by Charles Brown Jr, who had nine.
DSU went 2-for-2 on fourth down, converting on 100 percent of attempts.