The Hornets have scheduled preseason scrimmages on Aug. 11th, 18th and 25th at Alumni Stadium.
DSU’s 2018 opener is Sep. 1 at FBS Buffalo. The Hornets will play their home opener against defending MEAC and Celebration Bowl champ North Carolina A&T on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
DELAWARE STATE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
New head coach Rod Milstead, a former Hornet All-America offensive lineman and National Football league player, takes over a program that’s posted a 5-40 record in the last four seasons.
Despite a late start in recruiting after being hired in February, Milstead believes there enough talent on his young squad to show improvement in the 2018 season.
The Hornets return two thousand-yard quarterbacks from last season. Keenan Black (jr.), the starter in the last five games, was ninth in the MEAC in passing average (129.9 ypg) and pass efficiency (116.2 rating) after completing 82-of-173 passes (47.4%) for 1169 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017. Jack McDaniels (so.), the starter in the first six games, connected on 95-of-175 throws (54.3%) for 1139 yards and three TDs as a true freshman a year ago.
The DSU running game should be bolstered by the return of Mike Waters (r-so.), who sat out the seven games due to a knee injury in 2017. Waters was an All-MEAC Third Team pick after rushing for a team freshman record 820 yards and five touchdowns in 2016.
Brycen Alleyne (sr.), a 2018 Preseason All-MEAC Second Team selection with more than a thousand career rushing yards, will team with Waters to give the Hornets a formidable backfield duo.
Milstead believes Delaware State’s stable of wide receivers will also pose a challenge for opposing defenses.Taronn Selby (sr.) is the returning team leader with 35 receptions for 521 yards in 2017, while Trey Gross (so.) hauled in 27 passes for 428 yards and seven touchdowns after bring inserted into the starting line-up in week six last season. Kwannah Kollie (so.) averaged 20.1 yards on 16 catches last season.Selby, Gross and Kollie each had 100-yard receiving games in 2017.
The DSU offensive line is relatively young and untested, although guard Liki Seu (so.), along with tackles Matthew Derks (so.) an Kaiden Crawford (r-so.) gained valuable experience in their first full collegiate seasons last year. The Hornets are also believe the return of center Cade Pedro (r-so.) should help. Pedro, a 2017 Preseason All-MEAC Second Team selection, is expected to be fully recovered when the season begins after missing the last seven games due to a knee injury a year ago.
The Hornet defense is led by 2018 Preseason All-MEAC players Keyjuan Selby (sr.) at cornerback and inside linebacker Brian Cavicante (jr.) Selby was second in the MEAC in passes defended (1.18 pg) and the team leader with two interceptions last season. Cavicante (jr.) was second on the Hornets with 74 tackles stops (32 unassisted) a year ago.
Safety Jahad Niebauer (jr.) was the team leader with 78 tackles (45 solo), while inside linebacker Alexander Lozano (so.) emerged as a leader on the defense after recording 34 tackles, including a team-high three sacks in 2017.
Up front, seniors Caleb Hebron (end) and Jacob Jones (nose) are expected to lead the way. Hebron had 18 tackles and blocked two kicks, while Jones collected 14 tackles, one for a safety, last season.
The 2018 Hornets also feature one of the nation’s top punters. Fidel Romo-Martinez (jr.), a 2018 All-MEAC First and HERO Sports Preseason Third Team All-America selection, was tops in the league and fourth among all FCS punters with a 44.8 yard average in 2017. He had 24 kicks of 50-or-more yards and 17 that landed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATION
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