Florida A&M @ Delaware St game thread

[DSUrocks07]

Game Preview:


Delaware State: http://www.dsuhornets.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=13900&ATCLID=1573330

Florida A&M: http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080903/FAMU03/809030358/1029/RSS11


I'm looking forward to this game tomorrow night. Hopefully we can get a good crowd out there for the game (being on ESPNU is a drawback because you can watch it for free*.) The first game for this group of players as defending MEAC champs, lets hope they can handle the pressure of the target on their backs all season.

My prediction, the Joe Taylor-led Rattlers look like their going to put points on the board all season but factoring in the offseason rust of being the first game of DSU's season, I'll take DSU in a shootout, 35-31 and get started on the road to back to back MEAC titles.

[DSUrocks07]

Issue of missing game tape from FAMU:

Rattlers a mystery without game tape (http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080903/SPORTS08/809030362/1002/SPORTS)

Looks like Joe is picking up where he left off at Hampton xlolx

[DSUrocks07]

Game starts tonight @ 7:30pm on ESPNU

Weather looks like it won't be a factor either

[G.S.Green]

Tough shot under the belt.

[Big Dawg]

I'll be watching

[Intrepid]

Is anybody watching the game on espnu?

[DSUrocks07]

Couldn't be at the game, but I'm there in spirit.

14-0 DSU with 4:00 mins left in the 1st xthumbsupx

[DSUrocks07]

Winton looks good so far...controlling the offense and making good decisions

[DSUrocks07]

Hilton WTF catch the damn ball

[Intrepid]

Couldn't be at the game, but I'm there in spirit.

14-0 DSU with 4:00 mins left in the 1st xthumbsupx


Nice!!! xthumbsupx

btw: I wonder what happened to the game tape...lost in the mail?

[DSUrocks07]

The punting game looks good for both teams, coffin corner by DSU. FAMU ball at the 10

[DSUrocks07]

Nice!!! xthumbsupx

btw: I wonder what happened to the game tape...lost in the mail?

Wrong address maybe...someone give Keeler a call xlolx

Big run by FAMU, Page for 26 yards

[DSUrocks07]

End of 1st

DSU - 14
FAMU - 0

The Rattlers seem to have a little bit of momentum tho...

[DSUrocks07]

Well one thing's for sure...the MEAC refs are in mid-season form xlolx

[Intrepid]

Tonight game should give us an ideal about DSU offense. Last year, they averaged 22 points per game. Offense needs to improve this year or else we'll be embarrassed when we play a team of UD's caliber.

[DSUrocks07]

Baddddd throw by Winton...INT Rattlers...xmadx

[DSUrocks07]

Defense bailed us out...FAMU is 0-for-5 so far on 3rd down

[DSUrocks07]

Hey Big Dawg where you at?

[DSUrocks07]

Prepping the band for halftime...nice

Struther is looking really good, would be a great change of pace back for K. Jones

[DSUrocks07]

Big run by Winton...thats how you make GOOD decisions...its what he should have done on the last possession.

[Intrepid]

Rocks, what do you think of the Hornets' defense so far???

[DSUrocks07]

Winton throws behind his receiver on a basic screen play xsmhx

Punt....

Killed at the 1 yard line xthumbsupx

EDIT: Spotted at the 7 apparently xconfusedx

[DSUrocks07]

Rocks, what do you think of the Hornets' defense so far???

I think that its gonna be our Defense is going to keep us in a lot of games this year. As long as we can limit the mistakes on offense, we could have another great season.

[DSUrocks07]

This has been a bad series by our defense so far...big pass play...roughing the passer...now FAMU is marching down the field

[DSUrocks07]

1st and goal from the 5 stop them in their tracks Hornets!!!

EDIT: Damn

[DSUrocks07]

TD Rattlers

DSU - 14
FAMU - 7

6:30 left in the 2nd

[DSUrocks07]

A 93-yard drive that looked WAY too easy for them.

[Intrepid]

A 93-yard drive that looked WAY too easy for them.

Dang....

Has the other QB start yet?

[DSUrocks07]

I think they mentioned that the starter came back in for that drive...not sure

[DSUrocks07]

Winton needs to settle down and RUN the offense...it seems to me that he's scrambling too often

[DSUrocks07]

muffed punt by FAMU

recovered by DSU!!

[DSUrocks07]

another personal foul...this time on FAMU

TD DSU...Winton on the keeper

21-7 DSU

[danefan]

I'm watching on ESPNU HD. Great to see its actually broadcasted in HD! The field looks really shiny which is kind of weird.

Del State looks decent though.

[Intrepid]

another personal foul...this time on FAMU

TD DSU...Winton on the keeper

21-7 DSU

xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx

[DSUrocks07]

I'm watching on ESPNU HD. Great to see its actually broadcasted in HD! The field looks really shiny which is kind of weird.

Del State looks decent though.

Yeah its our (recently) new fieldturf...great for maintenance but I prefer grass myself

[Mouse]

is Curtis Pulley playing?

[DSUrocks07]

Good pass by FAMU QB...even better catch by the receiver...looked to be at least 35-40 yards downfield

Sack on the next play however xthumbsupx

[danefan]

Yeah its our (recently) new fieldturf...great for maintenance but I prefer grass myself


Maybe thats why its so shiny. The "new" hasn't been worn off it yet.

[DSUrocks07]

is Curtis Pulley playing?

He was in there earlier but Battle is moving the ball better against us tho...I wish he was still playing tho xlolx

[DSUrocks07]

TD pass from Battle to Elliott

21-14 DSU

[DSUrocks07]

Looks like we're gonna try to get in FG range before halftime...16 seconds left

[DSUrocks07]

Struther just shook the shoes out of that defender xlolx

8 seconds left

[DSUrocks07]

Strother <--- for future reference

[DSUrocks07]

53 yard attempt by DSU....

TO Rattlers xlolx

[DSUrocks07]

missed wide left

DSU - 21
FAMU -14

Halftime

[DSUrocks07]

Had to make a beer run during halftime and got held up...did I missed anything? Looks like the score is still the same

[DSUrocks07]

Pulley's in the game now...hard runner for a QB fighting for yards

[93henfan]

Hang tough Hornets!

We had to take our son for a haircut at the mall and passed the stadium around 7pm. Stands looked practically empty, so I'm assuming the tailgates were still going strong. How does it look on TV? I saw that ESPN trucked in one bank of temporary lights to supplement and MAN were they bright, right behing the press box. That may have something to do with the shininess.

[DSUrocks07]

TD pass by Pulley

DSU - 21
FAMU - 21

2:02 left in the 3rd

[DSUrocks07]

Hang tough Hornets!

We had to take our son for a haircut at the mall and passed the stadium around 7pm. Stands looked practically empty, so I'm assuming the tailgates were still going strong. How does it look on TV? I saw that ESPN trucked in one bank of temporary lights to supplement and MAN were they bright, right behing the press box. That may have something to do with the shininess.

from the looks of it it seems to be around 4,000 to 5,000 in attendance, not a sellout but its shaping up to be a great game.

[DSUrocks07]

Strother making something out of nothing...turning a 10+ yard loss into a 5 yard gain xthumbsupx ...looks like Jones might lose out on his starting spot AGAIN this year

[DSUrocks07]

INT by DSU

Another poor decision by Winton...


If you're outside of pocket THROW THE DAMN BALL AWAY!!!

[FCS Go!]

And the score is.....?

[DSUrocks07]

And the score is.....?

Still tied at 21 in the 4th

[DSUrocks07]

MEAC refs xnonono2x

[DSUrocks07]

Winton is our starter but he needs to learn more about making quicker decisions with the ball

[Intrepid]

Winton is our starter but he needs to learn more about making quicker decisions with the ball

This is his fourth year as starting QB, shouldn't he learned that by now?

[DSUrocks07]

TD DSU, Winton's 3rd rushing TD of the night

DSU - 28
FAMU - 21

8:16 left in 4th

[DSUrocks07]

FAMU runs it back on the ensuing kickoff...damn

DSU - 28
FAMU - 28

8:06 left in 4th

[DSUrocks07]

FAMU forces a 3-and-out...gets ball back with 6:03 left in the 4th

Strother will be the starter next week. IMO he should have 2 of Winton's 3 rushing TD.

[DSUrocks07]

Is it me or does it seem like we're running the same plays over and over again

[DSUrocks07]

FG attempt coming up for the Hornets

Timeout FAMU with 1:35 left

[DSUrocks07]

Hornets go for it on 4th and 2...Strother gets 4 yards. 1st down Hornets...looks like their going for the game winning kick. 35 seconds and counting

[DSUrocks07]

FUMBLE!!!!xeekx xeekx




recovered by DSU

Timeout with 15 seconds left at the 30

[DSUrocks07]

47 yard FG attempt coming up for the Hornets for the win.

DSU - 28
FAMU - 28

0:09 left in the 4th

[DSUrocks07]

wheres the penalty on the kick?????? oh yeah MEAC refs are officiating this game xnonono2x

kick is short

overtime coming up

DSU - 28
FAMU - 28

end of regulation

[Intrepid]

We should have won that game already...

[93henfan]

oh yeah MEAC refs are officiating this game xnonono2x

MEAC refs: The gift that keeps on giving.

[DSUrocks07]

FAMU wins the toss, DSU gets the ball first

[DSUrocks07]

TD DSU

Winton with his 4th rushing TD of the night

DSU - 35
FAMU - 28

OT

[DSUrocks07]

Pulley is in the game for the Rattlers

Potential QB controversy brewing in T-town?

[BlueHen86]

TD DSU

Winton with his 4th rushing TD of the night

DSU - 35
FAMU - 28

OT
Sounds like a great game. Thanks for the updates.

[DSUrocks07]

INT Hornets

BALL GAME!!!!


DSU - 35
FAMU - 28

F/OT

[Intrepid]

Did the other DSU QB play?

[DSUrocks07]

Looks like I'm not gonna have to post in my own Smack thread this week xlolx

[Intrepid]

INT Hornets

BALL GAME!!!!


DSU - 35
FAMU - 28

F/OT

Wow...I feel relieve now...

[BlueHen86]

INT Hornets

BALL GAME!!!!


DSU - 35
FAMU - 28

F/OT
Cool, congrats DSU on a nice win.

[DSUrocks07]

Did the other DSU QB play?

nah Winton played the whole game

[93henfan]

Way to go Hornets! xhurrayx

[caribbeanhen]

Nice win DSU

[slostang]

Sounds like an exciting game. Congrats to DSU. Tough loss for Florida A&M. Good luck to both teams next week and the rest of the season.

[Ivytalk]

Awright, DSU! You de-fanged the Rattlers!

[DSUrocks07]

Winton needs to learn how to properly run an offense...too many scrambles...late throws...poor decisions...hes like Mike Vick (the player) back there

[Big Dawg]

Good Game DSU

Curtis Pulley should now officially be the starting QB for FAMU.

[DSUrocks07]

HORNETS BEGIN DEFENSE OF MEAC TITLE WITH OVERTIME WIN, 35-28 (http://www.dsuhornets.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12900&ATCLID=1575352)



DOVER (September 4, 2008) – Quarterback Vashon Winton rushed for a career-high four touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime, to lead defending MEAC champ Delaware State to a 35-28 win over Florida A&M (1-1, 0-1 MEAC) in the season opener for the Hornets (1-0, 1-0 MEAC) before 6,216 fans at Alumni Stadium Thursday evening. Delaware State sealed the win when Jerome Strums intercepted Florida A&M quarterback Curtis Pulley’s pass on the Rattler’s first play of the overtime period. The Rattlers fell to 1-1 on the season and 0-1 in the MEAC.

"We made our share of mistakes, but found a way to come out on top," said Delaware State Head Coach Al Lavan, who improved to 25-7 versus MEAC opponents. "We overcame a lot of obstacles, mainly the outstanding play of Florida A&M. There’s a lot of work to be done, but it’s good to open the season with a win, especially against a conference opponent."

Delaware State defeated Florida A&M for the fourth-straight time, its best streak in the 26-year series between the teams.

Winton rushed for 78 yards on 14 carries. He also completed 21-of-32 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. Delaware State tailback Chris Strother rushed for 139 yards on 32 carries, each a career high.

"Our ability to run the ball was key to the win," added Lavan. The offensive line put forth a solid effort and Strother gave us the tough yards when we needed them."

Strother started in place of Kareem Jones, Delaware State’s top returning rusher, who sat out the game with a foot injury.

"Hard work is the best way to describe our effort tonight," said Strother. "The offensive line created some nice holes and I tried to be patient in my approach. This was a nice way to open the season."

The score was 21-21 when Winton capped off an eight-play, 57-yard drive with a four yard touchdown run with 8:17 left in the fourth quarter. The Hornets were aided by a Florida A&M pass interference penalty on a third-and-eight play at the Rattler 20.

Delaware State’s lead was short-lived as Florida A&M’s LeRoy Vann returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 28-28. Vann has returned a kickoff for a touchdown in each of the Rattler’s two games.

The Hornets drove 33 yards on 10 plays on the final possession of regulation, but placekicker Riley Flickinger missed a potential game-winning 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

Delaware State appeared headed for an easy win after opening up a 14-0 first quarter lead.

Winton scored the Hornets’ first touchdown on a one-yard run, then he connected with Eddie Brown on a 16-yard scoring pass with 4:10 left in the opening quarter.

Florida A&M began its comeback when Pulley directed the Rattlers on an eight-play, 93-yard drive. Phillip Sylvester capped off the drive with a one-yard scoring run to cut Delaware State’s lead to 14-7 with 6:31 left in the second quarter.

Pulley, a transfer from Kentucky, came off the bench to rush for a team-high 87 yards for the Rattlers.

The Hornets took advantage of a Florida A&M turnover to regain a two touchdown lead. Four plays after Stephon Hampton recovered a muffed punt by Florida A&M Qier Hall, Winton scored on a four-yard run to give Delaware State a 21-7 lead with 3:02 left in the second quarter.

Florida A&M responded with a 61-yard touchdown drive just before halftime. Eddie Battle connected with Kevin Elliot on a 10-yard touchdown pass to pull the Rattler’s to within 21-14 with 28 seconds left in the half.

The Rattlers tied the game at 21-21 when Pulley hit a wide open Elliot on a 34-yard "flea flicker" with 2:02 left in the third quarter. Pulley also rushed for 46 yards on four carries during the drive.

Strums, who had zero career interceptions entering the contest, picked off two passes for the Hornets.

There were seven turnovers in the contest, four by Florida A&M and three for Delaware State had three.

Florida A&M, which opened the season with two games in five days, is off until Sep. 20. Delaware State will return to action at Football Bowl Subdivision Kent State on Sep. 13.

Good to see the fans showing up for the game xthumbsupx

I'm glad that we pulled it out but I still think that Winton needs to learn how to read the defense, and make better decisions with the ball...otherwise I fear that we're gonna get smoked by Kent State next weekend xsmhx

[henfan]

A positively ugly win for DSU, but a win nevertheless. If there's such a thing as a disappointing win, this was it.

The Hornets cannot expect to compete for the conference championship with that kind of inconsistent, undisciplined play, especially from their senior QB. Lavan's got to clean this thing up quickly or DSU may take 3-4 conference losses this year.xsmhx

They've got to make big time progress between this week and the next game at Kent State. Come on, Hornets!

[89Hen]

Maybe thats why its so shiny. The "new" hasn't been worn off it yet.
Nope, some field turfs are just shiny at night. Did you see the Giants game last night? Blechhhh.

[zymergy]

I really liked watching Strother...He had some nice moves and very quick feet. Nice win Hornets.

[blackcaesar3k5]

Pulley is going do great things for Rattlers offense...