DSU's defense too much for Aggies

By BRIAN JOURA, Special to The News Journal

Hornets score on opening kickoff to set tone for shutout over N.C. A&T

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Brandon Hudson made sure that 17th-ranked Delaware State would not suffer a letdown against winless North Carolina A&T.

He returned the opening kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown, giving the Hornets an electrifying start to a 27-0 rout of the host Aggies on Saturday afternoon in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.

“I’m certainly happy to get out of this football game,” DSU coach Al Lavan said. “The opening kickoff obviously set the tone for us. On one hand, you’re happy about the return, but immediately you’re concerned if your team will get too giddy and not play football the way it should be played.”

Lavan had no worries, as the Hornets defense dominated the game. The defense held the Aggies to just 36 yards of total offense in the first half, helping DSU (5-1, 4-0) take a 20-0 halftime lead.

“It was devastating for us to open the ballgame up like that,” said A&T coach Lee Fobbs. “Especially coming off playing last week as well as we played.”

The Aggies (0-7, 0-4)believed they had built momentum entering this game after last week’s strong play in a five-point loss to Morgan State.

But the Hornets defense quickly took charge. DSU followed up the opening TD by forcing three consecutive three-and-out series.

Delaware State had its troubles moving the ball but the offense still managed to add 13 points before intermission.

Two field goals by Peter Gaertner surrounded a 1-yard TD dive by quarterback Vashon Winton.
Gaertner’s second field goal came with 1:32 left in the first half. His 45-yard attempt hit the crossbar and bounced over for his longest kick of the season.

The Aggies came out strong in the third quarter and embarked on a 14-play drive. Facing fourth down-and-3 at the Hornets 4-yard line, A&T bypassed a field goal attempt and came away empty when Ryan Robinson stripped the ball from the intended receiver.

DSU’s ensuing drive stalled, and an 11-yard punt gave the Aggies another excellent scoring chance.




On the second play of the drive, A&T picked up yard-age with a four-receiver formation. They lined up in the same set on the following play.

Quarterback Shelton Morgan faked right and threw left but defensive back Akeem Green jumped in front of the receiver and returned the interception 86 yards for the game’s final score.

“Those things are a matter of a defensive player able to execute the defensive coverage that’s called,” Lavan said of Green’s interception. “We had seen [the formation] before, but it’s one thing to see it and it’s another thing to stop it.”

The Aggies padded their stats after the interception but did not seriously threaten to score the rest of the game. A&T ended up outgaining Delaware State, 182-156, but that did not accurately reflect how well the Hornets played defensively.

“Coming into the ballgame, they were winning off defense and special teams,” Fobbs said. “[Saturday], they scored defensively and their defense played well. That’s their M.O.”

Lavan was not as happy with his team’s performance but was relieved to leave Greensboro with a win. It was the 23rd loss in a row for the Aggies, the nation’s longest losing streak.

“We achieved our objective in winning the football game,” Lavan said. “All along the way, we weren’t always as good in terms of performance levels necessary from all three units – offense, defense, special teams – to contend and play against a team that’s maybe a little bit stronger.”

The Hornets will face that kind of stronger team when they play host to Morgan State (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) next Saturday.