Delaware State 23, Howard 7

November 19, 2005

Dover, DE --- Delaware State held Howard to just 40 yards of total offense in a 23-7 win in front of 2,315 fans at Alumni Stadium in the season finale for each team.

The Hornets won their second straight to end the season with a 7-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the MEAC.

“It was very important that we send our seniors out right,” said Delaware State head coach Al Lavan. “We also wanted to get to seven wins because it gives our program more respect going into next season.”

Howard lost its fourth in a row to finish the season at 4-7 and 1-7.

Delaware State recorded six quarterback sacks, resulting in a loss to 38 yards. The sacks contributed to Howard’s total of 12 rushing yards in the contest. The Bison tallied just 28 passing yards. “ Howard quarterbacks Ronald Venters and Darrell Turner combined to complete three of 15 passes. Venters was also intercepted three times.

“We just struggled to move the ball all game,” said Howard head coach Rayford Petty. “Delaware State gives you a lot of different blitzes, and it kept us off balance throughout the game

A punt block by Delaware State’s Omonigho Imeokparia led to the first score of the game. The Hornets recovered the ball at the Howard five, but had to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Peter Gaertner with 12:04 left in the first quarter. The field goal was Gaertner’s 14th of the season, setting a new school record.

A 26-yard punt by Howard’s Noam Dror gave Delaware State the ball at the Bison 32 in the second quarter. The Hornets failed to get a first down, and settled for a 32-yard field goal by Gaertner to take a 6-0 lead with 1:30 left in the second quarter.

Each team failed to move the ball on its next possession. Delaware State was forced to punt but the kick by Erik Contos was blocked by Howard’s Lawrence Hellams and recovered by teammate Geoffrey Pope, who returned it 20 yards for a touchdown as the second quarter clocked expired. The extra point kick gave Howard a 7-6 lead at intermission.

Delaware State regained the lead on the opening drive of the second half. Quarterback Vashon Winton capped off a nine-play, 66-yard drive with a one-yard keeper to give the Hornets a 13-7 lead. The key plays in the drive were Winton passes of 16 yards to Freddie Middlebrooks and 24 yards to Shaheer McBride.

Delaware State stretched its lead to 16-7 on Gaertner’s third field goal. The Hornets began the scoring drive at the Howard 31 after a 10-yard punt by Dror, but could not move the ball.

Delaware State scored an insurance touchdown when Winton connected with Middlebrooks on a 36-yard touchdown pass with 12:23 left to play. The score capped off a three-play drive that started at the Howard 44 after a 13-yard punt by Dror. Delaware State had just 63 yards rushing, and 206 total yards. Winton completed 14 of 25 passes for 143 yards, but was intercepted twice.