DOVER — If playing at home really is an advantage, Delaware State’s football team should have a lot to look forward to this fall.

The fall schedule that DSU announced this week includes a record-tying seven home games for the Hornets. DelState will start out by playing six of its first eight contests in Alumni Stadium.

The Hornets, who also played seven home games in 2019, will have three of their five MEAC contests in Dover, as well.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to play so many games at home this coming season,” said Delaware State coach Rod Milstead. “I’ve heard from so many of our fans who are looking forward to attending the games in person again this fall after being unable to come out during the pandemic. While many watched our spring games on television or online, there’s nothing like being at the stadium and taking in all of the excitement that college football game day has to offer.

“Good teams take care of home first and we’ll have plenty of opportunities to defend the home turf this season.”

Delaware State will kick off its 11-game schedule at home on Sept. 4 against old rival Bowie State (Md.) for
Hall-of-Fame/Champions Weekend.

The Hornets and Bulldogs will be meeting for the first time since 1984, and the fifth time overall. Bowie State won the first meeting 26-18 in 193 but DSU holds a 3-1 series lead.

The Hornets are also home the following Saturday, Sept. 11, to face first-time opponent Georgetown of the FCS Patriot League. The Hoyas were 5-6 overall and 1-5 in the Patriot League in their last season of competition in 2019.

Delaware State hits the road for the first time with a visit to East Tennessee State, also a new opponent, on Sept. 18. The Buccaneers, members of the FCS Southern Conference, posted a 4-2 overall record, in the spring.

The Hornets return home on Sept. 25 to face Merrimack College in the second meeting between the teams. The Warriors won the first contest 30-21, also at Alumni Stadium, in 2019.

Delaware State returns to the road the following Saturday (Oct. 2) to take on another first-time opponent, Wagner College of the FCS Northeast Conference.

The Hornets will play their next three games at home, beginning with an Oct. 9 contest against Virginia University of Lynchburg. This will be the second meeting between the teams. Delaware State won the first meeting 41-7 at Alumni Stadium in 2018.

After an open week, DSU begins MEAC play at home against South Carolina State on Oct. 23 for Homecoming. The Bulldogs have won the last four meetings, including two this spring, and hold a 32-17 lead in the all-time series.

The Hornets will wrap up the three-game home stand with a meeting against Howard on Oct. 30. Delaware State swept two games against the Bison in the spring, winning 17-10 at home and 37-28 in Washington, D.C.

Delaware State plays two of its last three games on the road, beginning with a trip to Baltimore to face Morgan State on Nov. 6. The Hornets have lost two straight and six of their last seven games against the Bears.

This will be the third consecutive meeting between the teams at MSU’s Hughes Stadium.

The Hornets will wrap up their home schedule with a Nov. 13 contest against Norfolk State. The Spartans have won the last three meetings, although the Hornets hold a 16-9 lead in the series.

Delaware State fell to NSU 33-14 the last time the teams met In 2019 at Alumni Stadium

DSU closes out the regular season on Nov. 20 at North Carolina Central. The Eagles have won 10 of the last 12 meetings to open up a 19-7 series lead.

NCCU prevailed in the last meeting 30-23 on a kickoff return touchdown with 38 seconds left to play in Durham, N.C., in 2019.
Delaware State 2021 Football Schedule

SEPTEMBER: 4-BOWIE STATE; 11-GEORGETOWN; 18-At East Tennessee State; 25-MERRIMACK.

OCTOBER: 2-At Wagner; 9-VIRGINIA LYNCHBURG; 23-SOUTH CAROLINA STATE* (HC); 30-HOWARD*.

NOVEMBER: 6-At Morgan State*; 13-NORFOLK ST.*; 20-At North Carolina Central*.

*-MEAC game