DSU Hornets to take on Delaware Hens in First State Rivalry

2011-12 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL
HORNETS (4-4) VS. DELAWARE BLUE HENS (3-4)
SAT., DEC. 10, 2011 (1:00 P.M.)- DOVER, DEL. (MEMORIAL HALL)

THE GAME

Delaware State welcomes the University of Delaware to Memorial Hall for a First State rivalry contest. The Hornets bring a 3-4 overall record (1-1 MEAC) into the contest. DSU is coming off a 72-65 loss to Howard last Tuesday. The Hornets trailed by 22 points midway through the second half of the contest, but could get no closer than the final score the rest of the way. Casey Walker and Kendall Gray led Delaware State with 17 points each in the Howard contest. Delaware is 3-4 this season (1-0 CAA). The Hens are trying to bounce back from a 69-60 loss to Penn at the Palestra on Wednesday. Kyle Andrews led four Delaware players in double figures with 13 points vs. Penn.

DSU VS. DELAWARE SERIES HISTORY (DELAWARE LEADS 9-2)

The Hornets and Hens are meeting for the third straight year and 12th time overall. Delaware holds a 9-2 series lead, highlighted by an eight-game win streak from 1992 to 2000. The Hens won last year's contest 61-50 at UD's Bob Carpenter Center. DSU led by 11 points in the second half, but was scoreless in the last 5:07 of the game. Alphonso Dawson led UD with 16 points, while Jay Threatt was high man for the Hornets with 13. The last time the teams played at Delaware State, the Hornets posted a 75-67 victory in 2009. The state's only Div. I teams did not meet from 2001 to '08.

Tarpley TDs help DSU Hornets stun Howard

DOVER, Delaware — Delaware State ended its eight-game losing streak by rallying from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit behind two Travis Tarpley touchdowns to edge Howard 39-36 Saturday for its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win of the season.

Delaware State (3-8 overall, 1-7 MEAC) found itself trailing 36-24 with 13:39 to go after the Bison’s Terrance LeFall scored his second touchdown of the game.

“Our mind-set was to keep working hard and keep fighting and just stay together,” Tarpley said. “All season, the obstacle was just staying together as one unit, and that’s what the coaches put in our heads this game. If we played together, we’d have a great outcome.”

Facing second-and-10 at the Bison 38 on the Hornets’ next possession, Nick Elko moved to his right and passed to Tarpley near the line of scrimmage. Tarpley weaved through the Bison defense and ran into the end zone. With Mitchell Ward’s point-after kick, Delaware State closed the gap to 36-31.

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DSU gets fresh start after bye; Team hopes for homecoming win, end to 5-game losing streak

Dover, Delaware -- Delaware State's football team is coming back from a much-needed week off. Now a weekend's worth of homecoming festivities await the Hornets as they look for reason to celebrate on the field.

Delaware State (2-5 overall, 0-4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) hosts Morgan State (4-3, 3-1) in its homecoming game on Saturday at 1 at Alumni Stadium.

"I'm hoping we got a lot of stuff corrected and hopefully we can get off to a fast start for a change," DSU quarterback Nick Elko said. "That's what we're looking to do against Morgan State. Our main goal for this week is to try and get our seniors a win for homecoming. We want to send them out the right way."

First-year DSU head coach Kermit Blount said the bye week gave his players a chance to step away from a program mired in a five-game losing streak.




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Former DSU Hornet and N.C. A&T Aggie sign with UFL teams

Washington, D.C. - Former Delaware State University offensive tackle Darryl Hicks (Boston, Mass.) has signed a contract with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. Hicks competed for the Hornets during the 2009 and 2010 seasons after transferring from Hudson Valley Community College. He was a starting tackle in each of his 21 games at Delaware State.

During the 2010 season, Hicks helped lead the Hornets to a MEAC-best 248.9 passing yards per game. DSU was also No. 2 in the league with a 134.8 pass efficiency rating last year. Hicks was recognized as a MEAC scholar-athlete during his two years at Delaware State.

The 2011 United Football League season begins Aug. 14.



The Virginia Destroyers added another veteran tailback to the offensive backfield in Maurice Hicks. Hicks, who will turn 33 on July 22, is expected to carry the load at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.  The former North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University running back from Emporia, Virginia was previously signed by the UFL Florida Tuskers (2010); NFL Minnesota Vikings (2008); San Francisco 49ers (2003-2007); and NFL Chicago Bears (2002).

While at A&T, Hicks finished his college career with a school-record 2,812 rushing yards. As a senior, he was a third team Division I-AA All-American selection, the Black College Offensive Player of the Year, a first team All-MEAC selection, and he led the MEAC in rushing yards with 1,325 rushing yards. During his senior season, in a game against Morgan State University, he broke the NCAA Division I and II single game rushing records by rushing for 437 rushing yards. As a junior, he was a first team All-MEAC selection, after rushing for 1,487 yards. Hicks at  5-11/205 was the number two back during his career at San Francisco.

The Virginia Destroyers are under the command of  head coach/general manager Marty Schottenheimer, a former head coach of the Washington Redskins.

(From DSU Media Release/UFL Personnel Transaction Report)

DSU's Caroll, Adjei Sign Professional Football Contracts

DOVER, Del.- With the National Football League currently on lock down, two former Delaware State University standouts are pursuing their professional football dreams north of the border.

The Canadian Football League Winnipeg Blue Bombers have announced the signing of former DSU defensive tackle Andre Caroll to two-year contract, while the CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cats have inked former Hornet cornerback Francis Adjei to a three-year deal.

Caroll was a 2010 All-MEAC First Team and SportsNetwork FCS All-America Third Team selection. Last season, he was tops on the Hornets and fifth in the MEAC in tackles (8.7 pg). He set a Delaware State record for defensive linemen with 96 total tackles last year. In addition, Caroll was eighth in the MEAC in tackles-for-loss (1.23 pg … 13.5 total) and 13th in sacks (0.36 pg … 4.0 total). The Neptune, N.J., native was also credited with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five quarterbacks hurries and an interception. Caroll was an All-MEAC Second Team pick in 2009.


Videographer: Da1nOnly99;

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NSU to play for MEAC baseball title today

NSU Coach Claudell Clark

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Freshman Justin Bhatti tossed a four-hitter and senior outfielder John Rasberry (Greenbrier Christian) drove in a season-high four runs to send No. 4 seed Norfolk State to today's MEAC baseball tournament championship round with a 9-3 win over No. 2 Delaware State in the losers' bracket final on Friday night.

NSU (24-28) will face top-seeded Bethune-Cookman at 2 p.m. The Wildcats topped the Spartans 8-0 earlier Friday. NSU must beat Bethune-Cookman twice today to capture its first MEAC baseball title. The Spartans will be making their fifth MEAC championship-round appearance, and first since 2008.

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2011 MEAC Baseball Championship Tournament

Please click each hyperlink below to read each article on subject MEAC baseball game.

Wed, May 18 BSB Delaware State Maryland Eastern Shore at Daytona Beach, Fla. 10 a.m. 5 - 0

Wed, May 18 Bethune-Cookman Florida A&M . 2 p.m. 18 - 5

Wed, May 18 BSB Norfolk State North Carolina A&T 6 p.m. 14 - 4

Thu, May 19  Maryland Eastern Shore Florida A&M 10 a.m. 11 - 6

Thu, May 19  Delaware State   Norfolk State 2 p.m. 1 - 11

Thu, May 19  North Carolina A&T Maryland Eastern Shore 6 p.m. 11 - 1

Fri, May 20 North Carolina A&T Delaware State at Daytona Beach, Fla. 10 a.m.

Fri, May 20 Bethune-Cookman Norfolk State at Daytona Beach, Fla. 2 p.m.

Bold: Winners

B-CU 'Cats extend MEAC win streak to 43

DAYTONA BEACH -- Senior Joey Munoz couldn't remember the last time Bethune-Cookman lost a baseball game to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival. Fellow senior Chris Anselmo, a junior college transfer, has never experienced a MEAC loss.

The Wildcats won their 43rd consecutive game against MEAC competition and finished undefeated in the conference for the second straight season Sunday with a 9-4 victory over Delaware State at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

"To say I'm proud of what these guys have accomplished doesn't even begin to tell the story," said B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez, whose squad improved to 32-20 and finished 18-0 in the conference for the second straight year.

Perfect Again: Wildcats Top Delaware State to Go 18-0 in Consecutive Seasons

B-CU Coach Mervyl Melendez

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Wildcats definitely came to play as they wrapped up both the Delaware State series in a sweep, and the MEAC regular season with another perfect 18-0 record, Sunday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Bethune-Cookman extended their current win streak against conference opponents to an NCAA all-time record of 43 games, while making it consecutive perfect seasons in MEAC play. The Wildcats used three big innings to push past the Hornets, coming away with the 9-4 victory on Senior Day.

Donning their pink-tinged uniforms in honor of the Mother’s Day holiday, the Wildcats celebrated their eight outgoing seniors in a ceremony prior to the game. In the spirit of the holiday, ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by the wives of Head Coach Mervyl Melendez and Associate Head Coach Jose Vazquez, Aixa Melendez and Janna Vazquez.

“We’re grateful for their contributions to this program,” Melendez said of his seniors, “there was a whole lot of dedication and time that they have put in to accomplish the things we have accomplished as a team. To say that I am thankful is an understatement.”

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Parkland star Bowman picks Delaware State over WSSU

Miles Bowman Jr., of Parkland won't be playing college basketball in his hometown after all. Bowman, a versatile 6-foot-6 senior who had previously committed to Winston-Salem State, switched gears on Monday and signed with Delaware State, a Division I program that competes in the MEAC.

Coach Carlos Mumford of Parkland — a former basketball player at WSSU — said that Bowman had wanted a shot at playing in Division I and couldn't turn down the offer from Delaware State, which is coached by Greg Jackson, a former coach at N.C. Central.

"I am just happy for the kid," Mumford said. "I am a Ram, but once you have a kid with his mind set on something, you want what's best for the kid.

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Maryland Plays Host to Delaware State

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland softball team will play host to Delaware State Wednesday in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. at Robert E. Taylor Stadium.

Admission and parking are both free for Wednesday's games. Gametracker live stats will also be available.

The Terrapins (32-14, 8-5 ACC) took two of three in a series at Florida State over the weekend. Senior Kerry Hickey pitched her 11th career no-hitter for a 1-0 win in game one of the weekend and the Terrapins rallied behind Vangie Galindo's three-run home run in the top of the seventh to win game two 7-4.

Galindo is leading the ACC at the plate with her .434 average and league-high 63 hits. She went 13-for-20 over the last week and had multiple hits in all five of the Terrapins games. Bree Hanafin's average of .385 is fourth-best in the league.

The Terrapin pitching staff of freshman Ashley Czechner, Kendra Knight and Hickey lead the ACC with their team ERA (1.77), opposing batting average (.176) and strikeouts (402). Czechner and Hickey are Nos. 2 and 4, respectively, in the ACC in ERA and Knight is No. 6. Czechner's opposing batting average of .154 is tied for best in the league

The Hornets come to College Park with a 25-13 overall mark and a 7-2 record in the MEAC. They are led at the plate by Jordan Reid who is hitting .474 this season. Pitcher Ashlyn Campbell carries an ERA of 1.76 into Wednesday's games. The Terrapins own the all-time series over Delaware State 13-0, after winning two games last year in College Park.

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Delaware State End Spring Camp with Alumni Stadium Scrimmage

Dover, Del. (Apr. 17, 2011) - The Delaware State University football team wrapped up its first spring camp under new head coach Kermit Blount with a full contact scrimmage at Alumni Stadium today. The offense vs. defense scrimmage featured nearly 70 plays.

The first string offense accounted for two touchdowns. Junior quarterback Nick Elko completed 13-of-18 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He was also intercepted once. Elko connected with Justin Brewton on a seven-yard touchdown pass and hooked up with Justin Wilson on a five-yard scoring pass.

Wilson, a 2010 All-MEAC First Team selection, had a team-high seven catches in the scrimmage. The Windsor, Conn., native led the MEAC in receptions (59), receiving yards (937) and touchdown catches (11) last season.

The Hornet defense scored two touchdowns during the scrimmage. Defensive end Carl Russell, a University of Maryland transfer participating in his first camp with the Hornets, returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown. Cornerback Josh Alexander, a former University of Connecticut signee, returned an interception of a pass by back quarterback Marlon Kelly 20 yards for a score.

The defense also recorded four sacks in the scrimmage.



"I was pleased with the intensity during the scrimmage, but our execution was lacking on too many plays," said Blount, who was introduced as head coach of the Hornets on Feb. 4. "Both sides made some good plays, but we still have a lot of work to do. Overall, I'm pleased with way the players have adjusted to the changes we have made."

The Hornets will begin their preseason summer camp in August.

The 2011 season begins on Sep. 3 at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. The home opener is Sep. 10 against Shaw (6:00 p.m.). The Hornets will play the University of Delaware for the second time in a regular season game on Sep. 17 at Delaware Stadium in Newark. Morgan State will be this year's homecoming opponent on Oct. 29 (1:00 p.m.).

DSU 2011 Football Schedule

Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations

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Delaware State Hornets football: There's a new boss in town at spring practice

DOVER, DE -- It has only taken a week and a half for new Delaware State University football coach  Kermit Blount to raise the energy level among the Hornets players with new assistant coaches, a revamped playbook and an optimistic eye on the future.

For Blount, this has been a spring football camp full of learning players' names, evaluating talent and bringing in fresh ideas. The Hornets' two-week camp will culminate with the annual Red/White scrimmage at Alumni Stadium on Saturday night at 6.

"I'll tell you what, I'm really, really pleased with how the kids are responding to what we're asking them to do on the field as well as off the field," said Blount, who coached at Winston-Salem State for 16 seasons before accepting the DSU post. The players are obviously responding to the new energy.

HORNETS ADJUST TO CHANGE THIS SPRING

Dover, Del. -- The Delaware State University football team has passed the halfway point of its first spring camp under new head coach Kermit Blount. The two-week camp has been highlighted by the installation of new offensive and defensive systems.

"I'm really pleased with how well the guys have adapted to the changes we've made," said Blount, who was introduced as head coach of the Hornets on Feb. 4. "We've given them a lot to digest in a short time, but the energy level has remained high throughout camp. There's still a lot of work to do, but the transition has been relatively smooth so far."

The Hornets expect to return more than 40 letter winners, including 15 starters from their 2010 team, which won two of the last three games to post a 3-8 overall record and 2-6 mark in the MEAC. There are about 75 players participating in spring camp, including up to 12 newcomers.

"We (the coaching staff) have conducted camp as if everyone is fighting for starting jobs," Blount said. "Of course, guys will step up throughout the spring, but everything will be up for grabs come summer camp. I've been particularly pleased with our athleticism, while our biggest concern is developing depth on both sides of the ball, especially along the lines."

Delaware State will wrap up spring drills with the annual Red/White scrimmage on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.

The Hornets will kick off the 2011 season at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) on Sep. 3. The home opener is Sep. 10 against Shaw University.

By DSU Athletic Media Relations

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Delaware State Hornets Equestrian Team to Battle for 2011 National Championship

Waco, TX - The field is now set after the Varsity Equestrian Selection Committee chose the 2011 Varsity Equestrian National Championship (VENC) seeds. This year’s championship will be held April 14-16, 2011, in Waco, TX, and is expected to provide plenty of excitement throughout the competition as the top 12 teams in the country battle it out for the overall national championship title.

In the hunter seat bracket, Auburn University was selected as the No. 1 seed, followed by The University of Georgia as the No. 2 seed. Host institution, Baylor University, will be the third seed, followed by Big 12 foe, Oklahoma State University. Texas A&M University will be seeded fifth, followed by The University of South Carolina (6), Fresno State University (7), Kansas State University (8), Texas Christian University (9), University of Tennessee-Martin (10), Delaware State University (11) and New Mexico State University (12).

On the western side, Texas A&M University earned the No. 1 seed after an impressive 11-1 season. Oklahoma State University will be seeded in the No. 2 spot, followed by Auburn University in the third seed. The University of Georgia rounds out the team who earned a bye with the No. 4 seed. The University of South Carolina will start in the fifth seed, followed by Texas Christian (6), Kansas State (7), Baylor University (8), New Mexico State University (9), University of Tennessee-Martin (10), Fresno State University (11) and Delaware State University (12).

2011 DSU Equestrian Team (Roster - Click Here)
(Photo: DSU SID/Mike Baker)

Complete brackets are available at www.varsityequestrian.com. You can also follow along during the competition at www.baylorbears.com.

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DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY HORNET FAN FRENZY!

DSU Hornets Begin Spring Training Drills

Dover, Del. -- Delaware State University head football coach Kermit Blount will lead his first spring football camp with the Hornets beginning tomorrow (Friday). Blount says he expects about 80 players to participate in spring drills, including up to 12 newcomers.

"This year's spring camp is critical for our program as we introduce new systems to our players," said Blount, who was introduced as the new head coach of the Hornets on February 4. "The camp will also give our coaching staff a better opportunity to evaluate the conditioning and skill of the players." According to Blount, everyone has a clean slate heading into camp.

"As far as I'm concerned, everyone is fighting for a job," Blount said. "I believe the players understand that and are looking to make a good impression on the new coaching staff. We have to make every minute count as we look to rebuild this team."

DSU Hornets 2011 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time (ET)
Sat, Sep 03 Virginia Military Institute at Lexington, Va
Sat, Sep 10 SHAW Dover, Del 
Sat, Sep 17 Delaware at Newark, Del.
Sat, Sep 24 South Carolina State * at Orangeburg, S.C.
Sat, Oct 01 Florida A&M * at Tallahassee, Fla.
Sat, Oct 08 NORFOLK STATE * Dover, Del. 
Sat, Oct 15 North Carolina A&T * at Greensboro, N.C. Homecoming
Sat, Oct 29 MORGAN STATE Dover, Del.
Sat, Nov 05 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL Dover, Del.
Sat, Nov 12 Hampton * at Hampton, Va.
Sat, Nov 19 HOWARD * Dover, Del.
* Conference Games

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Former WSSU Rams great joins Delaware State

Tory Woodbury, a former Winston-Salem State quarterback and a native of Winston-Salem, has been hired as an assistant coach at Delaware State.

Woodbury, who played three years in the NFL, has been hired by Kermit Blount, a former coach of the Rams who coached Woodbury in the late 1990s.

"This is a great opportunity for me to get into college coaching, and I can't thank coach Blount enough for what he's done for me through the years," Woodbury said by telephone from Charlotte, where he has spent the past three years coaching at the high school level.

Woodbury, 32, helped WSSU to consecutive CIAA titles in 1999 and 2000, and then went on to play in the NFL with the Jets and the Bills. After his NFL career, he got into coaching at Carver and Atkins before moving to Charlotte, where he was the quarterbacks coach at Garinger.



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SC State Downs Delaware State 64-59 in MEAC Tourney Action

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – South Carolina State senior Darnell Porter scored 15 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down with 3:10 remaining to lead the ninth-seeded Bulldogs to a 64-59 win over eighth-seeded Delaware State in opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum Tuesday.

Porter's basket put Coach Tim Carter's team ahead 56-51 and the Bulldogs held on to advance to Wednesday's quarterfinals against top-seeded Bethune-Cookman at 7 p.m.

Junior Joe Ikhinmwin came off the bench for 10 points and seniors Rio Pitt and Wesley Telfare added nine each in the win. Pitt also had a game-high nine rebounds, including a pivotal one off a Tyvon Williams miss of a one-and-one opportunity with 39.6 seconds remaining and SC State ahead 58-53.

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Ketchum to leave WSSU, join Blount at Delaware State

Coach Mike Ketchum, DSU Defensive Coordinator

Soon after Kermit Blount was hired at Delaware State, he talked about "getting the band back together" when asked about who he might hire as his assistant coaches.

One of those band members, Mike Ketchum, who was the defensive-line coach last season at Winston-Salem State, has been hired by Blount to be defensive coordinator.

Ketchum, 55, said on Thursday that he informed the team in an afternoon meeting that he was leaving for Delaware State.

"I think the biggest thing is to be a coordinator again … and getting the chance to work with Coach Blount again," Ketchum said. "It was wonderful to work with Coach (Connell) Maynor for a year but as you get older, you want to try to do as many things as possible before you stop coaching."

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Blount's task: Repair DSU football program

DOVER, DE -- When Delaware State University athletics director Derek Carter introduced Kermit Blount as the Hornets' new head football coach on Friday morning, he referred to him as an "automotive repair wizard."

Blount will definitely have to rely on some of his tune-up skills if he wants to get Delaware State's sagging football program running smoothly again.

Just after his introduction as the Hornets' coach, Blount immediately faced a challenging question from the crowd gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center -- when is Delaware State going to be able to beat the University of Delaware?



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Delaware State Falls to Coppin State "Red Hot" Eagles

Coppin State Eagles Coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell

Baltimore, Md. -- Coppin State shot 60% from the field en route to an 89-72 men's basketball win over Delaware State at the CSU Physical Education Complex this evening. The Hornets dropped their third straight, seventh in the last eight games, to fall to 9-17 overall and 5-8 in the MEAC. The Eagles improved to 14-12 and 9-4.

Coppin State was 33—for-55 from the field, including 8 of 16 from three-point territory. Michael Harper led the Eagles with 25 points, highlighted by 6 of 9 shooting from three-point territory. Michael Murray added 16 points (7-10 FGs) for Coppin State.

DSU women win on late 3-pointer

BALTIMORE -- Kianna Conner hit a 3-pointer with 7.6 seconds left to give Delaware State a 51-49 women's basketball win over Coppin State on Monday night.

Coppin State had the last shot, but Shawntae Payne's 3-point try hit the back of the rim as time expired.

The Hornets (9-17, 5-9) won their second straight game. The Eagles fell to 10-15 overall, 7-6 in the MEAC.

Jaleah Holsey hit two free throws with 59 seconds left to put Coppin State ahead.

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