DOVER — When Mike Waters went on his official visit at Delaware State, he thought it was a good place for him.

Then he met Brycen Alleyne. That sold Waters.

Waters, a freshman, and Alleyne, a sophomore, have been two of the standout players for the Hornet offense this season. The two running backs are each in the top six for rushing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

“We clicked early when I came on my visit,” Waters said. “It was like the best of bonds right away, so us working together isn’t hard. We study together and watch film with each other during the week.”

The two youngsters have been some of the bright spots as the Hornets (0-4 MEAC, 0-7 overall) are still looking for their first win of the season going into Saturday’s 4 p.m. MEAC contest at Bethune-Cookman (1-3, 1-5).

Delaware State University running back Mike Waters. File photo

Alleyne, a Concord High graduate, is fifth in the MEAC in rushing yards per game at 64.6. The 5-foot-6, 165-pounder also has three touchdowns this season.

Waters is right behind him in sixth with 54.4 yards a game and also has a pair of touchdowns. Waters has more power than the shorter Alleyne, at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, but the two can be interchangeable in the backfield.

“We feed off each other,” Alleyne said. “You’d think he’s more of a power back and I’m more of a shifty back but he can do the same stuff I can do. I’m not a guy who will run you over but, if I have to, I will do it.”

Waters came to Delaware State after a record-setting senior season at Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia.

He scored the most single-season touchdowns in Philadelphia Public League history. He helped lead Imhotep Charter to a 15-0 record and the school’s first state championship.

Waters finished his career with almost 3,000 yards and 51 touchdowns.

Brycen Alleyne has three touchdowns this season for the Hornets. File photo

Waters also has some special inspiration. He said he plays every game for his father, who died when he was a ninth-grader at Imhoter Charter.

“I use that at motivation,” Waters said. “I don’t get sad off it. Every game I just work hard for him.”

Waters had an offer from Monmouth but chose Delaware State because coach Kenny Carter promised he would be able to play right away. That’s come true as Waters has appeared in each game as a true freshman.

“Coach didn’t lie,” Waters said. “I just like playing football.”

The best game by Waters and Alleyne came two weeks ago against Florida A&M.

The duo paced the Hornets to their best team running performance since 2006 with 325 team rushing yards. Alleyne recorded a career-high 169 yards while Waters had 150 yards, which was the first time DelState had two players rush for more than 100 yards in a game since 2008.

Alleyne’s 169 yards rushing were the most by a Hornet since Kareem Jones tallied 230 vs. Winston-Salem State in 2008.

Carter spoke highly of the two running backs but also made sure to credit the young offensive line, which only has one senior starter.

“Those two guys have to be blocked for,” Carter said. “A lot of their plays start off as inside zones and they hit the gaps that are there for them. It’s a twofold thing with the line creating the gaps and those guys doing a really good job when they get into space.”