ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Delaware State’s bid to start a season with two wins for the first time since 2011 and end a more than six-year road losing streak ended in disappointment.

The South Carolina State Bulldogs handed the Hornets a frustrating 17-9 loss in a MEAC football matchup at Dawson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs (1-1, 1-0 MEAC) scored the last 10 points of the game after the Hornets took a 9-7 lead early in the second quarter.

SC State quarterback Corey Fields completed 20-of-28 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown pass, an 11-yarder to Tyrece Nick, gave the Bulldogs a 17-9 lead after the extra point with 3:19 left .

On Delaware State’s final possession of the game starting with 3:13 remaining, the Hornets advanced to the SC State 35-yard line. But the drive ended on a fourth-down incompletion at the Bulldog 20.

Earlier in the possession, quarterback Jared Lewis completed a 10-yard pass to Trey Gross on fourth-and-nine to keep the drive alive. Lewis also completed a 17-yard pass to Kevin Medy during DSU’s final possession.

Trailing 7-0 in the first half, the Hornets (1-1, 1-1) evened the game on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to a wide-open Bizzett Woodley early in the second quarter. The touchdown capped off a six-play, 54-yard drive that also included a 10-yard run by Wade Inge and a DSU first down on an offsides penalty by the Bulldogs.

The touchdown catch was the eighth for Woodley in 14 career games at DSU.

On the ensuing South Carolina State possession, the defense again put points on the board for the Hornets. On third-and-10 from the SC State seven, Fields was tackled in the end zone by Hornet defensive back Daniel Douglas for a safety, giving Delaware State a 9-7 lead with 12:23 left.

The Hornets have recorded a safety in each of their two games this season.

Delaware State’s two-point lead held up until Bulldog placekicker Dillon Bredsen booted a 22-yard field goal with 17 seconds to go before halftime to give SC State a 10-9 lead at the break.

The Bulldogs appeared to have a touchdown on the drive, but an official’s review determined the runner was down at the one-yard line.

Delaware State still trailed 10-9 before threatening to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. The Hornets moved 54 yards on 11 plays to the SC State 12-yard line before the drive stalled.

Thomas Bertrand-Hudon had 30 of his game-high 84 rushing yards and Lewis had an 18-yard run on a scramble during the drive. A potential go-ahead 29-yard field goal was blocked by the Bulldogs after a low and bobbled snap with 11:19 left.

On the ensuing SC State possession, the Bulldogs consumed eight minutes on their 14-play, 87-yard final touchdown drive.

South Carolina State outgained DSU 341-223 yards in the contest.

Lewis played the entire game at quarterback for the Hornets after performing in relief in the opener against Howard. He completed 13-of-25 passes for 106 yards and rushed for a net-24 yards on 12 attempts.

Trey Gross had a team-high five receptions for 43 yards in the contest.

Hornet defensive back Juwain Granger, a preseason All-MEAC second team selection, had an interception and two pass break-ups.

Romell Harris-Freeman was tops for DSU with eight total tackles. Guthrie recorded seven tackles, each unassisted, including one behind the line-of-scrimmage.

Daniels and Eric Montes were credited with sacks for the Delaware State defense.