TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- (Nov. 16, 2013) Delaware State kept alive its hopes for a second straight winning season with a thrilling 29-21 come-from-behind win over Florida A&M, a MEAC contest at Bragg Stadium this afternoon.DSU has won four of its last five games to improve to 5-5 overall and 5-2 in the MEAC with one game left on the schedule. The win snapped the Hornets’ four-game losing streak to the Rattlers; and marked their first victory at Bragg Stadium since 2007.
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“I’m very proud of the way the guys fought back after digging such a hole for ourselves,” said Delaware State head coach Kermit Blount, who has led the Hornets to a 3-1 record in MEAC road games this season. “The Rattlers took advantage of some opportunities we them in the first half, but we stayed focused and made some big plays on offense and key stops on defense to turn the game around.”
Florida A&M scored 14 points off Hornet turnovers en route to its 18-point second quarter lead.
The Hornets trailed 21-16 when Cory Murphy connected with wide receiver Milton Williams III on an 18-yard touchdown pass to give DSU a 22-21 lead with 11:37 left in the fourth quarter. A two-point pass attempt after the touchdown was incomplete. The big play in the Hornets’ go-ahead touchdown drive was a 34-yard pass from Murphy to Williams to the FAMU eight.
On the ensuing Florida A&M possession, running back Lamont Buice fumbled at the DSU 45. The ball was recovered by Hornet defensive back Cory Scott who ran 55 yards to the endzone to stretch the Delaware State lead. Mitchell Ward’s extra point kick gave the Hornets a 29-21 lead with 10:01 left to play.
The next time Florida A&M had the ball, the Rattlers reached the DSU 45 before Hornet defensive back Joe Boyd intercepted a Carson Royal pass to halt the drive. The pick was Boyd’s third of the season.
The Rattlers’ final drive of the game ended on an interception by Scott, his first of the season, at the FAMU 45. Cameren Judge also had his second interception of the season for the Hornets.
Delaware State began its comeback when Dae-Hon Cheung scored on a nine-yard run to cap off a six-play, 68-yard second quarter drive. Ward’s extra point kick pulled the Hornets to within 21-10 with 8:54 left in the second quarter.
The Hornets scored a late third quarter touchdown to pull closer. Murphy capped off the 11-play, 80-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Bo Ceravolo with 50 seconds left in the third quarter. It was the first career touchdown for Ceravolo, a native of Venice, Fla.
Murphy, who sat out the first half, completed 10-of-15 passes for 141 yards. He threw an interception on the Hornets’ first possession of the third quarter, but bounced back to throw two second half touchdowns.
Esayah Obado started at quarterback for the Hornets. He completed nine of 12 passes for 68 yards, but threw an interception and lost a fumble on a sack.
Terrick Colston led DSU with six tackles, including six solo stops.
Rodney Gunter had six tackles (five solo), including a sack and two other backfield stops. Scott tallied five unassisted tackles to go along with his fumble return for a touchdown and interception.
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NEXT GAME: The Hornets wrap up the 2013 season at home against Morgan State next Saturday (Nov. 23). The Senior Day contest gets underway at 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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