Delaware State’s promising home opener unraveled rapidly as North Carolina Central capitalized on early turnovers to secure a decisive 31-12 victory at Alumni Stadium in Dover on October 23. Although the Hornets struck first, forcing a fumble on the second snap of the game that was recovered by Terrence Rone, the momentum shifted immediately. Kyree Benton capped the drive with a 26-yard end-around touchdown just 71 seconds into the contest, giving DSU a 7-0 lead. However, that advantage proved fleeting as NC Central’s offense found its rhythm, outscoring Delaware State 31-5 for the remainder of the game to claim their first win of the season.
Hornets’ explosive second half overwhelmed the Eagles after a brief 7-0 lead.
The Eagles’ offensive struggles were compounded by a dominant performance from NC Central running back Gino Addison, who torched the Delaware State defense for 214 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. Addison’s physical presence anchored a relentless ground attack that controlled the clock and neutralized any chance for a comeback. Complementing his effort, Eagles quarterback Cobey Thompkins operated with high efficiency, completing 15 of 18 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. This balanced approach allowed NC Central to build an insurmountable lead, turning a competitive early exchange into a blowout by the final quarter.
The result drops Delaware State to 4-4, marking its first home loss of the season and highlighting defensive vulnerabilities against high-volume rushing attacks. Conversely, North Carolina Central improves to 3-5, gaining crucial confidence in their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference campaign. The game serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting the football in the early minutes; while DSU managed to score quickly, their inability to sustain drives and stop Addison’s rushing attack ultimately dictated the final score. As both teams look ahead, the Eagles must address their defensive line’s struggle to contain the run, while the Hornets will look to build on this momentum in their next conference matchup.
Source: Yahoo Sports
