Delaware State 17, Bethune-Cookman 0

October 8, 2005

Dover, DE --- Delaware State University recorded its first shutout in more than 13 years, blanking Bethune-Cookman 17-0 at muddy Alumni Stadium on Saturday. It marks the first time that the Hornets have shutout an opponent since a 54-0 win over Division II Cheyney (Pa.) in 1992. It was DSU's first shutout against a Division I-AA foe since a 39-0 victory over South Carolina State in 1990, while the Wildcats were shutout for the first time since a 34-0 loss to Georgia Southern in the 2002 Division I-AA playoffs.

The Wildcats entered the game as the MEAC's top scoring team at 39.2 points per game. Delaware State held Bethune-Cookman to 180 yards of total offense on 60 plays. The Wildcats were averaging 350.4 yards per game prior to the contest. The sloppy conditions contributed to five turnovers in the game. Bethune-Cookman lost three of its five fumbles, while Delaware State lost two of three fumbles.

Delaware State threatened to score first in the opening quarter, driving 1 plays to the Bethune-Cookman 16. The drive ended when Bethune-Cookman's Reubin Mordecai recovered a fumble by DSU quarterback Vashon Winton on an attempted pass. The first score of the game was set up by a Bethune-Cookman turnover. A fumble by Chaunce Hampton of the Wildcats gave Delaware State the ball at the B-CC 30. The Hornets drove to the Wildcat five, but had to settle for a 21-yard field goal by Peter Gaertner with 5:23 left in the second quarter.

A 22-yard punt by Bethune-Cookman's Davis Player helped set up Delaware State's next score. Winton scored on a two-yard run to give the Hornets a 10-0 lead with 2:52 left in the second quarter. A 19-yard run by Rodney Roy and a 32-yard pass from Winton to Shaheer McBride were the key plays in the drive. McBride had six catches for 113 yards, while Roy led all players with 99 yards rushing.

Each team had two third quarter possessions, but could not score. Bethune-Cookman drove 11 plays to the Delaware State 20 in the third quarter, but the drive endedo n a stop fourth down stop by the Hornets. The Wildcats failed to reach Delaware State territory in the fourth quarter.

Delaware State closed out the scoring when Roy scored on a 16-yard run with 1:59 left to play. The Hornets had 170 yards of total offense. Winton completed 11 of 20 passes for 170 yards.

Bethune-Cookman used three quarterbacks in the game. Jimmie Russell completed seven of 12 passes for 81 yards. He was also held to 22 yards rushing on 18 attempts. Russell entered the game as the MEAC's sixth leading rusher at 72.5 yards per game. His 183.5 yards per game of total offense was fifth in the league entering the game.

Sam Smith led Delaware State's defenders with nine tackles, including two sacks. He also recovered two fumbles and forced another. Torean Charles led Bethune-Cookman with six tackles.

Delaware State will visit North Carolina A&T next week, while Bethune-Cookman will take on Savannah State in Augusta, GA next Saturday.