DOVER — Winless in his brief college coaching career, Kenny Carter is glad to have a chance to take a breath.

Delaware State University is 0-3 as it heads into its bye week. MidEastern Athletic Conference play begins the week after when the Hornets host defending champion Morgan State on Oct. 3 at 2 p.m.

DelState is still reeling from a 31-30 defeat to Chowan University, a Division II school, this past Saturday. The Hornets have certainly been diverse in their losing ways, falling to a FBS team (Kent State), a FCS team (Liberty) and a Division II team.

“We couldn’t have an open date at a better time,” Carter said. “We haven’t played a conference game yet so we still control our own destiny. It’s not fun to be 0-3, but when you’re changing the culture and you’re building a team, those are the kinds of things you have to work through.”

For a team that admitted it came out flat on Saturday, falling behind 21-0 in the first half against Chowan, how the Hornets attack this week of practice will go a long way toward setting them up for the MEAC portion of their schedule.

“We got to play our schedule,” said senior defensive back J.R. Robinson. “If we had a game, we would be ready to play. You have to practice like you’re playing for a national championship every week. Bye or no bye, we’ve got to take this week of practice head-on at full speed.”

One thing that will not be under a microscope during practice is the quarterback position.

Esayah Obado was pulled in the second half of the loss to Chowan but it was due to cramping, not performance. Backup Gilbert Rivera was able to lead a late drive for a touchdown that would have tied the game if the Hornets did not miss the ensuing extra point.

But Carter said despite Rivera’s solid play, Obado is in no danger of losing his starting job.

“There is no quarterback dilemma,” Carter said.

Obado did throw the first touchdown pass of his career Saturday, but was also picked off once by the Chowan defense. Obado connected for just seven of 21 attempts for 71 yards.

Rivera, on the other hand, was 4-for-8 passing for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Obado has completed only 46.4 percent of his passes in his first full season as the starter. He has thrown four interceptions, 303 total yards and just the one touchdown.

But Carter doesn’t necessarily blame Obado for the slow start. He said the Hornets need better play from their offensive line and the wide receivers for the passing game to fully start clicking.

“There were a calamity of errors that occurred when Esayah was in there that had absolutely nothing to do with him,” Carter said.