By Andy Walter

DOVER — With a new coaching staff this year, Delaware State’s football schedule also has a different look.

The Hornets will face a pair of Division I FBS programs — Army and Miami, Ohio — along with FCS playoff team Richmond in the 11-game slate that was announced today.

DSU will play five home games in its first season under head coach Lee Hull.

The Hornets will kick off the season at home against Division II Bowie State on Sept. 2. Delaware State holds a 4-1 series lead against the Bulldogs.

The Hornets are then on the road for the next three games, beginning with a first-time meeting against Army on Sept. 9 in West Point, N.Y. The Black Knights won their last three games to post a 6-6 overall record during the 2022 season.

The following week, DelState will travel to Richmond for the first time on Sept. 16. The Spiders went 9-4 a year ago, and reached the second round of the FCS Playoffs.

The Hornets will wrap up the stretch of road games with a trip to Miami (OH) on Sept. 23. The RedHawks were 6-7 in 2022.

Delaware State returns to Alumni Stadium the following week (Sept. 30) to face Virginia University of Lynchburg for the fourth time in the last five seasons. The Hornets are 3-0 all-time vs. Dragons, including a 35-19 victory last season.

The Hornets will make a first-time visit to Central Connecticut State on Oct. 7. This will be the second meeting between the Hornets and Blue Devils after Central Connecticut won the first contest, 28-10, in 2008.

After an open date, Delaware State kicks off Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play at Alumni Stadium against South Carolina State for homecoming on Oct. 21. The Hornets snapped a five-game losing streak against the Bulldogs with a 27-24 overtime victory on the road in 2022.

Delaware State remains home for the next game against defending MEAC co-champ Howard on Oct. 28. The Hornets and Bison will be meeting for the 66th straight year, and 81st time overall.

Hull was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Bison prior to being hired by DelState last December.

The Hornets will play their first MEAC road game the following Saturday at Morgan State on Nov. 4. Delaware State will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Bears.

The Hornets will play their final 2023 home game on Nov. 11 against Norfolk State. Delaware State defeated the Spartans 28-7 in Norfolk, Va., last season.

Delaware State wraps up the regular season on the road at North Carolina Central in a MEAC contest on Nov. 18. The Eagles saved their season with a come-from-behind 28-21 victory over the Hornets, highlighted by a late red-zone defensive stop, last season.

Kick-off times and game promotions for the contests will be announced soon.