Finney: In Lavan, Delaware State cuts loose a man who put Hornets back together

We live in a stinky world where we only care about the "W."

It is easy to sympathize with Al Lavan, who discovered he was fired as coach of Delaware State's football team on Thursday morning. That's because Lavan has poured his heart and soul into turning the Hornets into a consistent contender in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference since he took over the football program back in 2004.

In fact, he was originally supposed to be the coach -- the first major hire by then-university president Dr. Allen Sessoms -- who would spearhead the Hornets' move to Division I-A football, where Sessoms harbored dreams of playing the Notre Dames, Floridas and Penn States of the world at a new 30,000-plus seat stadium in Dover.

Upon his hiring, Dr. Hallie Gregory, who was then DSU's athletic director, said, "[Lavan's] got a lot of NFL and Division I experience. With his background...

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Delaware State Releases Head Football Coach

DOVER, Del. - Delaware State University Athletics Director Derek Carter announced December 2, 2010 that, effective immediately, Al Lavan will not be retained in the capacity of head football coach.

The DSU athletics director said after three consecutive losing seasons, "it is time for a change." Carter added that current defensive coordinator Rayford Petty has been appointed as the team's interim head coach.

"While we can note that there have been some successes during the Lavan era - most notably the 2007 conference championship - the team has not been as competitive following that accomplishment as we believe it should have been," Carter said.

The Al Lavan era included a 63-6 loss at Michigan on Oct 17, 2009, before 106,304 fans. In order to play the Michigan "money game" for $550,000, DSU forfeited a MEAC scheduled league game against North Carolina A&T-- for a rare two defeat day.

"While we hope to build on what we have seen is possible for the Hornet football program, presently we have determined that we need to move the team in a new direction," the DSU athletic director said. "We thank Coach Lavan for the dedication he has exhibited over these seven years."

Lavan ends his DSU tenure with a record of 41-36. His best coaching season took place in 2007 when he led DSU to a championship 8-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record (10-2 overall), which earned the team its first-ever post-season appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Over the last three seasons under Lavan, the Hornets had a combined record of 12-20, which included the recently concluded 2010 season record of 3-8.

Carter said a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations

Delaware State Hornets football: Lavan shocked by firing

Lavan ends DSU era with 41-36 record 

DOVER, DE -- Over the past seven seasons, Al Lavan took Delaware State University's football team to heights it had never known. But the depths of the past three seasons cost Lavan his job Thursday when athletic director Derek Carter announced the head coach had been fired.

"It is time for a change," Carter said. "It's hard anytime you have to make these decisions, but you have to look at the big picture in trying to make the right decision."

Lavan said the move surprised him. "It was not on my mind at all," Lavan said. "I heard it [Thursday] morning for first time. It was unexpected."

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Delaware State Ends Howard Bison Misery 53-43

Howard University Bison ends season 1-10, 0-8 in MEAC

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- All-MEAC receiver Justin Wilson has frustrated opposing secondaries throughout the season. After piling up 217 yards on nine receptions and four touchdowns -- three in the second quarter -- in a record-setting performance Saturday afternoon, you can add the Howard defenders to the list of the tormented.

Wilson set the Delaware State single-season record for receptions and quarterback Anthony Glaud passed for a season-high 351 yards and four touchdowns in his final collegiate game as the Hornets rolled to a 53-43 win over the Bison in the season finale on Saturday.

Larrone Moore's 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown started the scoreboard humming for the Hornets after they fell behind 9-0 in the first quarter. They led 29-16 at halftime and 53-29 in the fourth quarter after Wilson's fourth touchdown. All six of the Hornets touchdowns came on drives lasting less than two minutes. The 53 points marked their highest scoring output of the season.

HOWARD FALLS TO DELAWARE STATE IN SHOOTOUT

Washington, DC—November 20---Delaware State spotted Howard a 9-0 lead and then reeled off 23 straight points in the second quarter to go on to a 53-43 win in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Greene Stadium. It was the regular season finale for both teams.

The Bison (1-10 overall, 0-8 in the MEAC) came out strong, taking advantage of a Hornets turnover when Theodore Graham, IV picked off an Anthony Glaud pass and returned it 26 yards for a TD. The ensuing PAT was missed but Howard led, 6-0 at the 10:20 mark.

ATTENDANCE: 3054

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DSU Hornets say they're up for challenge against S.C. State Bulldogs

DOVER, DE -- A tough season will not become any easier today when Delaware State's football team hosts South Carolina State, the two-time reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions who are ranked 17th nationally in Division I-AA. DSU (1-6 overall, 1-4 MEAC) hosts the Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1) at Alumni Stadium at 1 this afternoon. The Hornets say they will not be intimidated.

"They're one of the best teams in the MEAC, so we've had to prepare hard this week for a very competitive match," said Andre Caroll, a redshirt senior defensive lineman for DSU.

The Hornets are hoping to follow the same blueprint as last season, when they won two out of their last three games to finish 4-7 despite struggling to a 1-5 start, which included a forfeit loss because of a scheduling conflict.

Hornets Gameday

South Carolina State (5-2, 3-1 MEAC) at Delaware State (1-6, 1-4)
1:00 p.m. today, Alumni Stadium, Dover, DE
Radio: WWTX-1290, WDOV-1410

Bulldogs on offense: QB Malcolm Long (6-3, 250, sr.) has completed 102 of 177 passes (57.6 percent) for 948 yards with a pair of touchdowns and six interceptions. RB Chris Massey (5-11, 220, sr.) has rushed for 639 yards on 124 carries and has scored six TDs. RB Asheton Jordan (6-0, 205, so.) has gained 396 yards on 61 carries with four TDs. WR Lennell Elmore (5-11, 170, r-so.) leads the team with 38 catches for 445 yards.

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DSU learning painful lesson, Lavan says

DOVER, DE -- There is no class at Delaware State that can teach its football team how to finish games. That, according to Hornets coach Al Lavan, has to be learned through difficult lessons. Those lessons don't get much more painful than DSU's 34-24 loss at Morgan State last Saturday, when the Hornets allowed 13 points in the final 20 seconds of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.

Lavan remains confident in his team's ability, even as the Hornets (1-6 overall, 1-4 MEAC) prepare to host two-time reigning conference champion South Carolina State (5-2, 3-1) at Alumni Stadium at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Delaware State coach says team has to make plays ‎

DOVER, Del. - Former NFL head coach Bill Parcells once famously said, "You are what your record says you are."

At 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the MEAC heading into Saturday's home game against 17th-ranked South Carolina State, Delaware State head coach Al Lavan was inclined to agree on Tuesday. Although pleased with the Hornets' resiliency shown throughout the season, Lavan has seen too many missed opportunities and mental mistakes to try to sugarcoat his team's record.

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Williams shakes off three interceptions, rallies Morgan State past Delaware State, 34-24

Morgan State quarterback Delonte Williams had already thrown three interceptions, two of which resulted in Delaware State touchdowns, when he calmly walked into the huddle with just over three minutes left in the game. Williams said that even though the Bears were down by three, they'd be just fine.

The redshirt freshman then directed an 85-yard drive, capped by his 34-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Hendrix with 20 seconds left. Sheldon Jacques added another touchdown on a 2-yard fumble return as time ran out to give Morgan State a 34-24 victory in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Saturday before an announced 14,312 at Hughes Stadium.

Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley liked how his team overcame adversity on the last drive.

In seconds, DSU Hornets squanders victory

BALTIMORE, MD -- Delaware State has struggled all season when it comes to stopping the opponent in the fourth quarter. Saturday saw that problem reach a new extreme. With time winding down, Morgan State overcame a fourth-and-10 from its own 15-yard line and rallied for 13 points in the final 20 seconds to pull off a 34-24 victory in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.

"That's why you have to play for every snap that's required in a football game," DSU head coach Al Lavan said. "It's not a mystery as to what happened. It's very clear as to what happened -- we didn't make enough plays when we were given the opportunity to."

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huevoicesdotcom captures sights and sounds from Morgan State's 2010 Homecoming game. Check out Bobby Marvin's blog site at:  http://www.huevoices.com
huevoicesdotcom is a blog that provides news,one on one interviews, features, and commentary on the African-American community of Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

ESPNU Thursday Game: Hampton (2-1, 2-0 MEAC) at DSU (0-3, 0-1 MEAC)

Weather conditions for tonight game favor DSU -- Expect Hornets to win in an upset of Pirates

7:30 tonight, Alumni Stadium, Dover, DE
Radio: WWTX-1290, WDOV-1410. TV: ESPNU

Pirates on offense: QB David Legree (6-5, 230, r-Jr.) has completed 42 of 84 passes for 419 yards with six TD passes and one interception. He ranks fourth in the MEAC with a 113.1 pass efficiency rating. RB Steve Robinson (6-2, 220, sr.) has rushed for 208 yards (4.7 ypc). WR's Donte Davis (6-1, 185, r-sr.) and Isiah Thomas (5-11, 185, r-jr.) have nine receptions each. Davis has 127 receiving yards with two TD catches. Thomas has 72 receiving yards (8.0 ypr) and two TD catches.

Pirates on defense: OLB Darius Johnson (6-1, 220, sr.) leads the MEAC in tackles at 8.3 per game. Johnson has 25 total tackles this season, including 13 solo stops. LT Kendrick Ellis (6-5, 340, sr.) is second on the Pirates with 24 tackles.

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Coastal Carolina dominates early in win over DSU

CONWAY, S.C. -- Coastal Carolina dominated the first half en route to a 34-14 win over Delaware State on Saturday night.

Coastal Carolina (1-3) led 31-0 at halftime, and 34-0 late in the fourth quarter before DSU (0-3) scored two touchdowns in the final 1:58 of the game to avoid being shut out for the first time since 2004, a span of 66 games.

The Hornets gained 97 yards in the fourth quarter to finish with 210 for the game. The Chanticleers racked up 339 total yards in the contest. Coastal Carolina scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions. The Hornets' second possession ended with a fumble that was recovered by the Chanticleers at the DSU 34. Coastal Carolina needed six plays to pad its lead.

Coastal Carolina tops Delaware State for its first victory of season

CONWAY, SC -- There will be no talk around the Coastal Carolina football program this week about early season struggles or missed opportunities. There will be no need to scavenge for positives or search for ways to explain a season careening off path. Not this week, at least. The Chanticleers played nothing like a team mired in a winless slump - and everything like a squad eager to prove it is better than it had showed through the first three weeks.

The Chants shook the demons of the last three weeks - thoroughly and impressively - and started the process of righting their season with a 34-14 win over visiting Delaware State before an announced crowd of 9,218 at Brooks Stadium.

Hornets Dominated by Coastal Carolina

Conway, S.C. --- Coastal Carolina completely dominated the first half en route to a 34-14 win over Delaware State before a sellout crowd of 9,218 at Brooks Stadium this evening. The Chanticleers improved to 1-3 on the season, while the Hornets fell to 0-3.

Coastal Carolina led 31-0 at halftime, and 34-0 late in the fourth quarter before DSU scored two touchdowns in the final 1:58 of the game to avoid being shutout for the first time since 2004, a span off 66 games.

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Coastal Carolina-Delaware State breakdown‎

Series | Tied 1-1
Weather | 84 degrees with clear skies

Injuries | Coastal: LB E.J. Brown (knee) and RB Travis Small (thigh) are questionable; DE Jamel Davis (thumb), LB Andrae Jacobs (head), S Marcus Lott (thigh) are probable; OL Steve Simpson (knee) is doubtful; DE Quinton Davis (ankle) and David Hall (knee) are out. Delaware State: n/a.
Key number: 1
Delaware State returned only one full-time defensive starter from a team that finished 4-7 last season.
Key matchup

Delaware State's Larrone Moore vs. Coastal Carolina's Josh Norman (and friends). Moore is the Hornets' top offensive weapon, averaging 97 receiving yards per game. Look for Delaware State to try to get Moore heavily involved. Coastal would be wise to have Norman (eight interceptions last season) shadow him.

Less size allows growth for DSU's Green

DOVER, DE -- Kevin Green was ranked by one scouting service among the top 40 linebackers in the country when he signed to play football at Purdue in 2007. But even though he grew up in Chicago, something just didn't feel quite right for the 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker in West Lafayette, Ind.

"I wasn't really getting treated right there," Green said. "I was talking to a couple of the players and they said, 'We'd like you to stay here, but you've got to do what you've got to do for yourself.' "

So, rather than playing in front of 62,500 at Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium, Green says he is just as happy playing before 4,000 fans at DSU's Alumni Stadium.

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Speed sets Delaware State receiver apart

Delaware State University wide receivers coach Curt Thomas thinks highly of Hyattsville native and Northwestern High School graduate Larrone Moore.

In fact, Thomas said Moore holds a unique place among Hornets' players historically. "He flat out may be faster than any receiver that has come through Delaware State in the last 25 years," said Thomas, who recruited Moore out of high school. "He's probably the fastest ever. One thing you can't coach is flat-out speed. Sky's the limit for this kid. He can continue his career beyond Delaware State. Scouts have been watching him the last three seasons."

Moore has put his speed on display early...

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Delaware State Hornets football: Jones stepped in, stepped up

DOVER, DE -- The running back position for Delaware State University proved to be an express route to the hospital last year. While the three tailbacks above him on the depth chart suffered injuries, somehow Jaashawn Jones remained healthy and started the Hornets' final four games. In eight games, Jones powered his way to a team-high 632 yards on 151 carries (4.2 yards per carry) to rank fifth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a rushing average of 79 yards per game.

This season, Jones, a redshirt junior from Asbury Park, N.J., is atop the DSU depth chart at running back. "You just work hard. You've got to push," said Jones, a 6-foot-1, 220 pounder. "If you don't push then nothing's going to come to you, basically. You've got to go and get everything you can in life. "I think I've got a nice combination of vision, power and speed -- just a little bit of everything."

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Delaware State Hornets vs. Hampton Pirates kickoff changed for ESPNU

DOVER, DE -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has announced that the 2010 Delaware State University vs. Hampton University football contest has been moved to Thursday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m. at DSU's Alumni Stadium. The contest, originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, will be televised live on ESPNU as part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference television agreement with ESPN.

This will mark the second national television appearance for the Hornets during the 2010 season. Delaware State will kick off the upcoming season against Southern University in the Sixth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sunday, Sep. 5 at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge will be televised live on ESPN, ESPN HD and ESPN3.com at 12:00 p.m.

This year's DSU/Hampton contest will also mark the second Thursday night game at Alumni Stadium. The Hornets defeated Florida A&M 35-28 in overtime in the first Thursday night Alumni Stadium contest in 2008.

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DSU's only veteran starting defender ready to lead young team

DOVER, DE -- Andre Caroll checks in at around 280 pounds.

This season, he'll be carrying much more weight for the Delaware State University football team. Caroll, a defensive tackle, is the only returning defensive player who started in all 10 games for the Hornets, who went 4-7 overall, 3-5 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, last season. The Hornets open their season in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Southern University in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 5.

Caroll, a 6-foot-2, redshirt senior, welcomed the challenge as the DSU players began preseason practice at Alumni Stadium on a sweltering Wednesday afternoon. "A lot of guys on this team are young, especially on the defensive side of the ball, so being able to get us together is going to take us being able to trust one another," Caroll said. "That's one thing we really didn't have last year. There were just a lot of individuals out there."

Ray Petty, DSU's defensive coordinator, is entering his fourth season with the Hornets. "He's the best player we have on our team right now, on both sides of the ball," Petty said of Caroll. "He had an outstanding junior year and he worked hard in the offseason. He's one of those guys who leads by example with the things he does on and off the field.

PHOTO GALLERIES

• DSU preseason practice

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Delaware State Hornets Kicks Off 2010 Football Camp

Dover, DE --- Delaware State University's 2010 summer football camp is underway. About 85 players spent today moving into their rooms, attending meetings and being welcomed by among others, DSU President Harry Williams and athletic director Derek Carter. After a picture taking session Wednesday morning, the 2010 Hornets will hit the field for the first time. The players will be put through a run test tomorrow morning and take part in their first official practice in the evening.

Although the Hornets return their starting quarterback, best rusher, top two receivers and leading tackler from last season, there will be a number of new faces at other key positions this year. Delaware State expects to return just seven starters and 32 letter winners from last season. The defense is most critically hit, with just one starter and nine others on the 2009 two-deep returning. The offensive line must replace three starters, while the Hornets will also feature newcomers at punter and placekicker this season.

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Preseason poll shows little faith in DSU

Lavan confident despite 7th position.

Delaware State University was picked Friday to finish seventh in this year's MEAC football race and that did not stun Hornets head coach Al Lavan. "I'm not surprised by the preseason rankings, given the number of question marks surrounding our team this season," Lavan said in a press release.

South Carolina State was picked to win its third straight MEAC title this fall. The Bulldogs collected 15 of 18 first-place votes and 315 total votes. Florida A&M was picked second, garnering two first-place votes and 268 total votes. Delaware State collected 120 votes. Lavan is 38-28 in six seasons with the Hornets, including 30-18 in MEAC contests. The Hornets begin their preseason football camp on Aug. 10.

Delaware State opens its 2010 season on Sunday, Sept. 5, against Southern University (La.) in the sixth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla. The contest, which will kickoff at noon, will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN3. com.

DSU's home opener takes place on Sept. 11 against Florida A&M with a 6 p.m. starting time. Delaware State (4-7, 3-5 MEAC) finished tied with Hampton and North Carolina A&T for sixth place in the MEAC last season.



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2010 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Tickets Now On Sale

ESPN Regional Television (ERT) has announced that tickets for the 2010 MEAC/SWAC Challenge football contest between Delaware State University and Southern University (La.) on Sep. 5 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, are now on sale through Ticketmaster and Anthony Travel.

Individual game tickets are $20 (plus tax and fees), and can be ordered by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com. Fans can also purchase travel packages through Anthony Travel's web page at www.anthonytravel.com or by calling 1-800-736-6377.

Delaware State University is also working with Anthony Travel on MEAC/SWAC Challenge packages for students, alumni and other Hornet fans. Information on the DSU packages can be obtained by logging onto http://www.desu.edu/meacswac-challenge or www.DSUHornets.com. The DSU travel packages include admission to Disney attractions.

The MEAC/SWAC weekend will include step shows, a career fair, parade and battle of the bands. Delaware State University will also host a tailgate and "fan center" in Orlando.

This will be Delaware State's first appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, which pits a top team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against one from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Southern will be making its second appearance in the challenge. The Jaguars defeated the MEAC's Florida A&M 33-27 in 2007 in Birmingham, Alabama.



Delaware State is 2-0 all-time vs. Southern. The Hornets, led by first-year head coach Bill Collick and All-American John Taylor, defeated the Jaguars 46-8 in 1985 in Baton Rouge, La. The teams met again the following year in Shreveport, La., with the Hornets coming out of top, 21-14.

The 2010 MEAC/SWAC Challenge will air on ESPN/ESPN HD and ESPN3.com. This will mark the first time this event will be televised on ESPN.

For more information about the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and for access to its Facebook page, please visit the official website: www.meacswacchallenge.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the event via Twitter: www.twitter.com/MEAC_SWAC.

DSU Announces 2010 Football Game Times

Director of Athletics Derek Carter (in photo) has announced kickoff times for the Hornets' 2010 home football schedule and the season opening MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Southern University on September 5 in Orlando, Fla.

The sixth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney will kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET at Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando. The contest will be aired live on ESPN. This will mark the first time the game, which will be produced in high definition, will be offered on ESPN. Delaware State will be making its first MEAC/SWAC Challenge appearance. The contest features a team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against an opponent from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Delaware State is 2-0 all-time vs. Southern. The Hornets, led by first-year head coach Bill Collick and All-American John Taylor, defeated the Jaguars 46-8 in 1985 in Baton Rouge, La. The teams met again the following year in Shreveport, La., with the Hornets coming out on top, 21-14.

Delaware State's 2010 home schedule features two night games at Alumni Stadium. The Hornets will play their home and MEAC opener on Sep. 11 against Florida A&M. Game time is 6:00 p.m.

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DSU Hornets 2010 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Site Time












Sun., Sept. 5 Southern University Orlando, Fla. 12:00 p.m. (ESPN)(MEAC/SWAC Challenge)
Sat., Sept. 11 FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY* HOME 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 18 OPEN
Sat., Sept. 25 at Coastal Carolina University Conway, S.C. TBA
Sat., Oct. 2 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY* HOME 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 9 at Bethune-Cookman University* Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 16 NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY* HOME 1:00 p.m.(Homecoming)
Sat., Oct. 23 at Morgan State University* Baltimore, Md. 1:00 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 30 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY* HOME 1:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 6 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY HOME 1:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 13 at Norfolk State University* Norfolk, Va. 1:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 20 at Howard University* Washington, D.C. 1:00 p.m.

Home games in all CAPS. *-MEAC games
DSU Ticket Office: 302-857-7497/1-866-378-TIXX

Delaware State Hornets upbeat at Spring Camp‎

DOVER, DE -- The atmosphere at Delaware State University's Alumni Stadium for Saturday's Red-White football scrimmage was light years away from the doom-and-gloom that seemed to constantly envelop the Hornets last year. Quarterback Anthony Glaud was consistently finding his receivers in stride and the team's young defense showed promise at the linebacker positions. The feelings were of promise and great expectations for when the Hornets return to the field in August for summer football camp. "It was good in processing this entire spring," Glaud said, preparing for his senior season. "This is actually the best we've looked and it's a good thing to be the best that you are at the end of spring [camp], so now we have something to carry into the summer and then into the fall camp."

Coach Lavan sees signs of improvement in young DSU squad. Delaware State will open its 11-game 2010 season on Sunday, Sept. 5, against Southern University (La.) in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Al Lavan, preparing for his seventh season as DSU's head coach, wasn't looking for greatness. He just wanted to see signs of improvement. "I think overall we accomplished in the last 15 days what we needed to accomplish which was to see an improvement of our football team," said Lavan, who is 38-28 overall with the Hornets. "It's such a young team in the offensive line and a lot of different areas, but I thought we made improvement, which was the main thing.

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Delaware State Strikes "Lucky 13" with Football Recruits

Delaware State University Head Football Coach Al Lavan (R) on the sidelines at Michigan.

Dover, DE -- Delaware State University has announced that 13 football recruits have accepted offers to attend the university and compete for the Hornets next season. DSU head coach Al Lavan has also announced the addition of two major college transfers who are enrolled at the university, and expect to participate in the upcoming spring camp. The signees include six defensive linemen, two linebackers, two defensive backs, a wide receiver, offensive lineman and tight end.

"I am pleased with the quality athletes we have signed so far," said Delaware State head coach Al Lavan, who is 38-28 in six seasons as head coach of the Hornets. "We graduated some top players on our defense, so our focus was filling needs on that side of the ball, in addition to improving our overall strength and speed. We are off to a good start, and expect to announce more signings in the days ahead."

The Delaware State defensive line will be bolstered the addition of Josh Alaeze (fr. 6-1/240), Darian Scott (fr. 6-4, 210), Lafeit Frierson (fr. 6-2/240), Craig Woodus (fr. 6-5/265), Darrel Brown (jr. 6-2/285), and Rodney Gunter (fr. 6-4, 240). Alaeze and Scott were teammates at Dunbar High School in Baltimore. They helped lead the Poets to an 11-2 record and state playoff berth in 2009. Alaeze was a Maryland All-State First Team and All-Baltimore Metro First Team selection. He ranked 24th among Maryland high school prospects, according to 3-Star Rivals. Scott was a 2009 Maryland All-State Second Team and All-Baltimore Metro selection. He ranked in the top five in the state in sacks last season.

Frierson was a two-time All-Passaic County defensive end at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, N.J. He recorded 50 tackles, including 10 sacks as a senior year in 2009. Woodus was an All-Southeastern Virginia and All-Tidewater First Team selection as a defensive lineman and offensive lineman at Lakeland High School in Suffolk, Va. Brown joins the Hornets after two seasons at Hudson Valley Community College, where he helped lead the team to a 7-3 record last season. Prior to attending Hudson Valley, he was a standout at Pennwood High School in Philadelphia.

The Hornets have also inked offensive lineman Trevor Sales (fr. 6-2/285) of La Porte, Indiana. Sales was an All-Indiana First Team and all-conference selection at La Porte High School. In addition, he was a "National Underclassman Strong Man" award recipient. According to ESPN.com, Sales "is a fundamentally sound offensive lineman." Delaware State has added helped in the defensive backfield with the signing of Jermond Colston (fr. 5-11/175) of Norfolk, Va., and Joe Boyd from Fort Washington, Md. Colston was a 2009 All-Tidewater (Va.) selection, and is the school record holder in the 55-meter dash.

Bo Cerravolo (fr. 6-1/190), a standout wide receiver from Venice, Fla., will join the Hornets this year. Last season, the Florida high school all-star had 48 catches and helped lead Venice High to a No. 48 USA Today ranking. Tight end Nick Brackett (fr. 6-4/235) of Lawrenceville, N.J. has also signed to attend DSU. The Hornets have also welcomed University of Maryland transfer Dominique Herald (DB) and former Rutgers defensive lineman Wayne Thomas to the team. Herald competed in 14 games at Maryland. As a senior at Pennington School in New Jersey, he was one of the top defensive backs in the nation, ranking No. 6 nationally among safeties by Scouts, Inc. In addition, he was the 16th-ranked prospect in the state of New Jersey by Rivals.com. Thomas signed with Rutgers as the No. 11 prospect in New Jersey as a senior at Nottingham High School.

Delaware State Football 2010 newcomers

Josh Alaeze FR DE 6-1/240 Baltimore, Md./Dunbar HS
Joe Boyd FR DB 6-0/180 Ft. Washington, Md./Friendly HS
Nick Brackett FR TE 6-4/235 Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrenceville HS
Bo Cerravolo FR WR 6-1/190 Venice, Fla./Venice HS
Jermond Colston FR DB 5-11/175 Norfolk, Va./Booker T. Washington
Lafeit Frierson FR DE 6-2/240 Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy
Rodney Gunter FR DL 6-4/240 Haines City, Fla./Haines City HS
Kennedy Ogbonna FR LB 6-1/215 Wash., D.C./Friendship Academy
Trevor Sales FR OL 6-3/285 La Porte, Ind./La Porte HS
Darian Scott FR DE 6-4/210 Baltimore, Md./Dunbar HS
Dominic Shepard FR LB 6-1/200 Hyattsville, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt
Craig Woodus FR DL 6-5/265 Suffolk, Va./Lakeland HS

Transfers
Darrel Brown JR DL 6-2/285 Phila., Pa./Hudson Valley CC/Pennwood
Dominique Herald JR DB 5-11/195 Newark, N.J./Maryland/Pennington
Wayne Thomas SO DL 6-5/285 Nottingham, N.J./Rutgers/Nottingham HS

Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations, Release: 2/4/2010

DSU football holds first practice

Hornets senior QB Vashon Winton

DOVER — This is the time of year that sometimes seems to take forever to arrive for Delaware State University football coach Al Lavan and his Hornets. Once the football season begins, everything is a blur. It is just getting to this point that seems to take so painfully long.

But at long last, just before 7:30 on Friday night, Delaware State’s players – about 80 strong – clad in bright red shorts and jerseys, made their way onto the artificial turf surface of Alumni Stadium and got their first preseason practice under way.

It is another season of big expectations for the Hornets, who made their first appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs last season after they won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship, their first since 1991.

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