2019 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL — GAME 4
DELAWARE STATE “HORNETS” (1-2/0-1 MEAC)
VS.
NCA&T “AGGIES” (2-1 / 0-0 MEAC)
THU., SEP. 26, 2019 (7:30 p.m.)
BB&T STADIUM (22,000) - GREENSBORO, N.C.
Live TV - ESPNU
THE GAME
Delaware State has a quick turnaround to prepare for defending MEAC and Black College National Champ North Carolina A&T in a nationally televised contest (ESPNU). The Hornets are trying to rebound from a 24-9 loss to Howard in the their MEAC opener last Saturday. Delaware State drove 84 yards for a touchdown on the game's opening possession, but managed just 128 yards the rest of the way in the contest. The Hornets were outgained 315-222, while Howard also held a 35-25 advantage in time of possession. The Hornet defense held its own in the game, highlighted by four sacks of Howard quarterback Caylin Newton, the 2019 MEAC Preseason Offensive Player-of-the-Year. Brian Cavicante (sr.), the 2019 Preseason Defensive Player-of-the-Year, led the Hornets with 12 tackles (six solo), including two tackles-for-loss, a sack and blocked kick in the Howard contest. North Carolina A&T has been idle since a 27-21 victory at Charleston Southern on Sep. 14. The Aggies opened the season with a home win against Elon and suffered its lone loss of the season against FBS Duke the following week.
THE HORNETS
Freshman quarterback Tylik Bethea, making his second collegiate start, completed just 11-of-32 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions vs. Howard last Saturday. The prior week against Division II Lincoln, Bethea was 16-of-28 for 181 yards and two TDs. His season totals include 37 completions on 78 attempts (47.4%) for 441 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Through four weeks of the MEAC season, Bethea ranks sixth in the league in passing average (147.0 ypg) and eighth in passing efficiency (106.7 rating). DSU's Kwannah Kollie (jr.) has emerged as one of the MEAC's top pass catchers this season. Kollie is tied for second in the league in receptions (5.3 pg), fifth in receiving yards (75.7 pg) and tied for first touchdown catches (3). Wide receiver Bizzett Woodley (fr.) has two touchdown grabs this season. Bryant Dallas (sr.) is the Hornets' leading rusher with 126 yards to rank seventh in the MEAC with a 42.0 yard per game average. Defensively, Delaware State is allowing 291.0 yards per game, 76.3 pg on the ground and 214.7 by the pass. The Hornets are tops in the conference in fewest rushing yards allowed. Free safety Jahad Neibauer (sr.), a Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection, is tops on the team with 21 tackles, tying for 10th in the MEAC at 7.0 per game. Cavicante has 20 tackles this season (10 solo) to rank second on the team and tied for 13th in the league at 6.7 tackles per game. The Hornets defense also includes two of the MEAC's sack leaders. Brandon Carswell (gr.) has three sacks to rank fourth in the MEAC at 0.83 per contest, while Christian Johnson (gr.) has two sacks in the Hornets' three games to tie for ninth in the league (0.67 pg).
THE AGGIES
North Carolina A&T is third in the MEAC in total offense at 347.3 yards per game, highlighted by a league-best 187.7 rushing yards per game. Jah-Maine Martin (jr.) is the MEAC's leading rusher at 145.0 yards per game., highlighted by a 299-yard, two-touchdown performance vs. Charleston Southern in the Aggies' last outing on Sep. 14. Aggie quarterback Kylil Carter (sr.) has completed 38-of-78 passes (48.7%) for 479 yards with two touchdowns without an interception. Elijah Bell (sr.) lead the team with 16 catches for 222 yards and one touchdown. Bell is tied with DSU's Kwannah Kollie for second in the MEAC in receptions at 5.3 per game. Defensively, NCA&T is fourth in the MEAC in total defense at 358.7 yards per game. The Aggies are allowing just 92.3 yards per game to rank second to DSU in the MEAC rankings. Linebacker Joseph Stuckey (so.) is the team leader with 29 tackles (14 solo) to tie for second in the league at 9.7 tackles per game.
THE SERIES (NCA&T leads 24-22-1 )
This will be the 48th contest between the Hornets and Aggies. North Carolina A&T has won the last five games to open up a 24-22-1 series lead. The Aggies won last year's meeting 34-6 in Dover, Del. Quarterback Lamar Raynard passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two to lead the way. Jose Romo-Martinez accounted for Delaware State's scoring with two field goals, including a career-best 49-yard boot. The last time the teams met at North Carolina A&T, the Aggies posted a 44-3 in 2017. Delaware State's last win in the series was a 12-7 victory in Greensboro, N.C., in 2013.
