Natchitoches, LA – Northwestern State University Demons gave the Hornets of Delaware State University their first setback of the season 23-3 in a non-conference match-up at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana.  The Demons, a member of the Southland Conference got their first win of the season improving to 1-2, while the Hornets fell to 2-1.

 

The big negative for the visitors were penalties committing 12 for 135 yards which kept the Hornets behind the chain in crucial situations.

 

“We made plays but we were not able to sustain drives,” said DSU’s head coach Al Lavan. “We did not handle their pressure very well.”

 

Northwestern State opened the scoring after Chris Miller returned the opening kickoff 49 yards to the DSU 45 that set up a seven play 33 yard drive ending with a Robert Weeks 31-yard field goal.  After stopping the Hornets on downs, the Demons completed a five play 58 yard drive with an 11 yard touchdown run by Byron Lawrence giving them a 10-0 lead with 7:36 left in the first quarter.

 

The Hornets finally got on the scoreboard with 51 seconds left in the half when Josh Brite (5’10, 185, P/K/JR-Bakersfield, CA) kicked a 48 yard field goal completing a seven play 32 yard drive.  Brite was handling place kicking duties for injured Peter Gaertner (6’0, 180, K/SR-Berlin, Germany) who is out with a right hip flexor.

 

After a DSU short kick-off, NSU took advantage of the field position as Robert Weeks completed a six play 37 yard drive with a 35 yard field goal giving them a 13-3 lead at the half.

 

After one half of play, both teams were even in time of possession at 15:00 minutes a piece, but the Hornets held the edge in total offense with 153 yards to the Demons 145. 

 

NSU extended their lead to 13 with when Robert Weeks connected on his third field goal of the game from 44 yards out, with 7:46 left in the third quarter.

 

The Demons got a break with 6:19 left in the third when Rus Washington intercepted Vashon Winton (6’2, 195, QB/Chicago, IL) at the Hornet 33 yard line and returned it 15 yards to the 18. Eight plays later Patrick Earl ran it in from one yard out giving the Demons a 23-3 lead as the third quarter ended.

 

Emmanuel Marc (5,10, 205, RB/SR-Spring Valley, NY) led the ground attack for the Hornets with 110 yards on 18 carries, his third straight 100-yard  game. Shaheer McBride (6’3, 200,WR/JR-Chester, PA) led all receivers with eight receptions for 71 yards.

 

The Hornets will return to action on Saturday, September 30, 2006, when they host the Pirates of Hampton University.