Saturday’s game in Alumni Stadium was rocking, as the Delaware State Hornets looked to win a MEAC championship for the first time since 2007. Coach Jackson and his crew came into the match up undefeated and were looking for a trip to the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, until another undefeated team in the conference, the South Carolina State Bulldogs rolled into Dover. SC State got on the board first off of a 33 yard pick six by Jalen Levine to go up 7-0.
The Bulldogs added to the lead in the second quarter, when quarterback William Atkins IV found receiver Jordan Smith from 10 yards out. The Bulldogs went into the half with a 14-3 lead. The Hornets didn’t go down without a fight though, when running back Marquis Gillis took it to the house 68 yards early in the third quarter. Atkins and the Bulldogs responded with a 52 yard touchdown to Johnny Jones.
Both teams traded scores in the fourth quarter, until the Bulldogs defense was just too much for the Hornets. Atkins finished the game going 14/24, 249 yards & 2 touchdowns. Marquis Gillis, Kaiden Bennett & James Jones all rushed for 100 plus yards a piece, with Gillis & Jones both finding the endzone. The Bulldogs capture their 20th MEAC championship and will return to Atlanta to potentially capture another Celebration Bowl championship.
Article By Zavian Johnson
