DOVER — Considering it won its two previous meetings with Virginia Lynchburg by a combined 84 points, there was every reason to think Delaware State might have another easy win on its hands Saturday.

But somebody forgot to tell the Dragons.

Delaware State had to shake off a slow start by scoring 21 unanswered first-half points before picking up a 35-19 victory over Virginia Lynchburg at Alumni Stadium on Saturday.

Wide receiver Jerrish Halsey had seven catches for 134 yards (both career-highs) and two touchdowns, while running back Wade Inge rushed for a career-best 106 yards to lead the Hornets’ 397-yard offensive attack.

Delaware State second-string quarterback C.J. Henry played more than three quarters of the game, connecting on 9-of-14 passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, the Hornets (2-1) recorded four sacks for the second week in a row, while recovering a season-high three fumbles.

Lineman Isaiah Williams and linebacker Ronald Holmes shared the team lead with six tackles each. Williams had a team-high 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Virginia Lynchburg (0-3) jumped out in front on the opening series of the contest. Anthony Duffy scored a touchdown on a 22-yard pass from C.J. Brooks to give the Dragons a 6-0 lead a little more than four minutes into the game.

The six-play, 97-yard drive was highlighted by a 90-yard pass from Brooks to Donmonic Perks to the Hornets’ one-yard line. The Dragons’ extra point attempt was unsuccessful due to a bad snap.

It took Delaware State just two plays and 46 seconds to answer the Virginia Lynchburg score.

Halsey hauled in a 68-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Jared Lewis to tie the score on the Hornets’ first offensive possession. The extra point kick by Nathan Wilson gave Delaware State a 7-6 lead at the 10:09 mark of the opening quarter.

A 46-yard return by Eddie Dumas on the ensuing Hornets’ kickoff helped set up a 25-yard field goal by Sulemani Fortuna, putting the Dragons back in front, 9-7, with 5:09 to go in the first quarter.

The Hornets responded with another touchdown on the ensuing possession when Henry connected with Rahkeem Smith for his first collegiate touchdown pass from 27 yards out to regain the lead 14-9 with 2:07 left in the first quarter.

Henry also threw touchdown passes of 15 yards to Nico Stout in the second quarter (10:43) and 25 yards to Halsey in the fourth quarter (6:12).

Virginia Lynchburg pulled to within 28-19 after scoring 10 straight second half points before the Henry-to-Halsey fourth quarter touchdown.

The Hornets return to action on Saturday when they host Merrimack at 2 p.m.