Delaware State 17, South Carolina State 16

October 27, 2007

Orangeburg, SC --- Senior Peter Gaertner nailed a 38-yard field goal with 2.6 seconds left to give Delaware State a 17-16 win over South Carolina State before 15,388 homecoming fans at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Saturday afternoon. The win, coupled with Norfolk State’s loss to Howard, gives the Hornets a one-game lead in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) standings.

Delaware State has won five in a row to improve to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in the MEAC. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for South Carolina State, which fell to 4-4 and 3-2. Delaware State and Norfolk State were tied for first in the MEAC entering Saturday’s play.

Gaertner’s game-winning kick came seven plays after Delaware State’s Ryan Robinson forced a fumble by Bulldog quarterback Cleveland McCoy that was recovered by DSU’s Ron Spinner at the SC State 43 with 2:58 left to play. A 23-yard pass from Vashon Winton to Shaheer McBride gave Delaware State a first down at the Bulldog 14. After three running plays, Gaertner split the uprights to set off a wild celebration on the Hornet sideline.

South Carolina State extended its lead to 16-7 when Stephen Grantham kicked his third field goal of the game, a 37-yarder, with 5:03 left in the third quarter.

Delaware State pulled to within 16-14 when Adam Shrewsbury capped off a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge on the second play of the fourth quarter. Winton completed three-of-three passes for 54 yards in the drive.

South Carolina State chewed up 3:45 on its final possession before McCoy’s fumble. Delaware State scored first when Winton and McBride connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 3:57 left in the first quarter.

DSU's McBride had six catches for 91 yards. He now has 31 touchdown receptions at Delaware State, two shy of the school record held by John Taylor (1982-85).

The Bulldogs dominated the statistics, outgaining the Hornets 418-253. South Carolina State, the MEAC’s top rushing team, racked up 325 yards on the ground. Halfback William Ford rushed for 160 yards, while McCoy added 102. Winton completed 12 of 22 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown.

Delaware State will visit Winston-Salem State for a non-conference game, while South Carolina State will travel to Howard next Saturday.