LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- Delaware State opened a new football era with a frustrating 32-13 loss to nationally-ranked Liberty before an enthusiastic crowd 18,803 in the season opener for both teams at Williams Stadium this evening. The contest against the FCS No. 15 Flames marked the debut of new Hornet head coach Kenny Carter, who saw hopeful signs in the loss.
“I am so proud of the way our guys competed throughout the game,” Carter said. “For the most part, I thought we got a solid effort by our defense and the offense made some big plays, but our kicking game was disappointing, giving Liberty good starting position on too many possessions.”
Desmond Rice rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns and Darrin Peterson had eight catches for 83 yards and two scores to lead Liberty’s 417-yard attack. Quarterback Josh Woodrum completed 19-of-32 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns for the Flames.
Delaware State quarterback Esayah Obado connected on 16-of-27 passes for 227 yards but was intercepted twice in his first game since 2013. Obado was sacked five times in the contest, including one that resulted in a safety.
“Esayah played quite well, especially considering the pressure he was under from a veteran Liberty defense,” said Carter. “He made some great throws downfield and was able to make plays in pressure situations.”
Liberty took advantage of good field position after a short DSU punt to open the scoring. Five plays after an 18-yard punt by Jeremiah McGeough gave Liberty the ball at its 46 yard, Josh Woodrum connected with Darrin Peterson on a 26-yard touchdown pass for the game’s first score. John Lunsford’s extra point kick gave the Flames a 7-0 lead with 7:17 left in the opening quarter.
A Delaware State turnover led to Liberty’s second touchdown. The Hornets’ second possession ended when Wesley Scott intercepted Esayah Obado pass at the DSU 32 yard line. Three plays later, Rice scored a 23 yard run around the right end to give the Flames a two-touchdown lead. The extra point kick by Lunsford stretched Liberty’s lead to 14-0 with 4:53 remaining in the first quarter.
The Hornets got on the board and back into the game with a well-executed eight-play, 75-yard drive midway through the second quarter. The three-minute-27-second march was highlighted by a long pass play and a gutsy fourth down call by Carter to keep the possession alive.
The Hornets were facing a fourth-and-one at the DSU 34 when Obado connected with Malik Golson on an 11-yard pass to the 45. On the next play, Obado found Aris Scott downfield for a 47-yard pass to the Liberty 8. On third-and-goal from the two, Obado rushed up the middle for a touchdown to complete the drive. The Hornets attempted a two-point play after the score, but Obado was stopped short of the endzone on a rush attempt to keep Liberty’s lead at 14-6.
The DSU defense forced Liberty into a three-and-out on the next possession, but the Hornets couldn’t take advantage. Obado was sacked on the first play of the Hornets’ next possession and the Flames forced a punt from the DSU six yard line.
Starting from its 38 on the next possession, Liberty drove 27 yards on seven plays to the DSU 35. Lunsford capped off the drive with a 52-yard field goal to give the Flames a 17-6 lead with 2:56 left in the second quarter.
On the ensuing Hornet possession, Obado was sacked by Liberty linebacker Nick Newman in the endzone for a safety to give the Flames a 19-6 with 1:56 to go before halftime.
After Liberty regained the ball on a free kick, the Flames drove 46 yards to the DSU nine, but Kevin Jocelyn intercepted a tipped pass by Woodrum to keep the Hornets in the game.
Woodrum and Peterson connected for their second touchdown of the game on a six-yard pass to cap off a seven-play 51-yard drive, giving Liberty a 25-6 lead with 8:15 remaining in the third quarter.
The Hornets answered on the ensuing possession, marching 76 yards on seven plays for their second touchdown of the game. Jamaal Jackson capped off the two-minute-35 second drive with a two-yard touchdown run. Obado connected on each of his three passes for 49 yards, including a 27-yard strike to Malik Golson and a 15-yard connection with Kamal Abrams, during the drive. The extra point kick by Wisdom Nzidee cut Liberty’s lead to 25-13 with 5:32 left in the third quarter.
Rice scored his second touchdown of the game on a six-yard run to begin the fourth quarter to give the Flames a 32-13 lead.
Later in the quarter, the Hornets drove to the Liberty 23. On second down from the 23, Obado appeared to rush for a touchdown, but the play was called back due to a holding penalty at the two yard line. The drive ended when Chris Turner intercepted an Obado pass at the Liberty one yard line.
The Hornets collected 227 total yards, but only 42 on 25 rushing attempts. DSU lost 27 rushing yards on the five Liberty sacks.
Golson had seven receptions for 74 yards, each a DSU high. Abrams hauled in three passes for 51 yards in his Hornet debut. A former Dover High School star, Abrams played three seasons at Connecticut before transferring to Delaware State. Jackson had three catches for 44 yards and a team-high 31 yards rushing on 15 carries.
DSU linebacker Malik Harris led all players with 12 tackles, including six solo stops. Jocelyn had 11 tackles (five unassisted) to go along with the interception.
Defensive end Gabe Sherrod recorded seven tackles, including 3.5 behind the line of scrimmage, a sack and a blocked field goal attempt.
The Hornets return to action next Saturday (Sep. 12) at FBS Kent State. Game time is 3 p.m. in Kent, OH. DSU will play its home opener on Sep. 19 against Chowan. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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