Deception pays off for DSU Hornets in 17-10 win over VMI

DOVER, Delaware - — Nick Elko was the only player on Delaware State’s football team who truly knew what was going to happen prior to the most pivotal play in the Hornets’ season-opening game against Virginia Military Institute. That, Hornets head coach Kermit Blount said, was by design.

Just like the two discussed, Elko faked an inside handoff before scrambling into the clear on the right side of the field. VMI’s defense bit on the fake and Elko found an unobstructed 4-yard path into the end zone, which paved the way for Delaware State’s 17-10 win over the Keydets in a nonconference nailbiter.

The second-and-goal score was the first touchdown run of Elko’s career.

“It was like a thief in the night,” said Blount, who evened his career coaching record at 95-95-3 with the win. “You don’t let anybody know you’re going to break in somewhere, you just get it done.

“Certainly all day [VMI] had been pinching on our power run and inside game and we felt that they would pinch again on that [second]-and-short. It was just a good run for [Elko].”

READ MORE