DOVER — Delaware State’s football players already knew they were making the longest road trip in program history.
But now the Hornets’ season opener at Hawaii next Saturday will also be the latest starting time — or earliest — that DSU has ever faced.
Hawaii recently announced that kickoff for the contest will be 6 p.m. local time, or midnight on the East Coast.
“It’ll be my first time playing at midnight,” said DSU tight end E.J.Core. “So I’m kind of excited.”
There’s no question a game in Hawaii will be a unique way for the Hornets to start their football season.
But it’s what happens in the 10 games after that contest that will determine whether the ‘24 season was a success or not.
DelState finished just 1-10 a year ago in Lee Hull’s first season as head coach. The program’s only winning campaign since 2007 was a 6-5 record in 2012.
This year’s Hornets say last season motivated them to work harder to avoid another year like that.
“One and 10, it hurt,” said Core. “Being around the student population and everybody has something to say like, ‘Dang, when are you going to win a game?’
“You take it personally. I feel like a lot of people are coming out this year like, ‘We’re not doing that again.’ We’re going to put our best foot forward and expect great results.”
“It’s definitely a hungrier team,” said defensive lineman Darren Cook. “When you’re deprived of something for so long, you want it even more. I feel the energy — I feel the want and need of my team to get this win.”
Cook, Core and defensive lineman Eric Montes were all named to the second team on the All-MEAC Preseason squad. That group is joined by second-year starting quarterback Marqui Adams and leading rusher Marquis Gill (Milford), who returned to the team during preseason camp.
Hull has also brought in 13 transfers and 21 freshmen to this year’s roster. The Hornets say there’s a much different attitude around this year’s squad.
“I like where we’re at right now,” said Hull. “It’s definitely a big difference, a great change from last year. You can feel and you can see the camaraderie.
“I think we fixed some things. I think we kind of know what our team can do and then we’re trying to implement those things and doing more with what they can do. I think they also understand the offense, defense, special teams more now, too.
“You always take the biggest leap from year one to year two. And I think we’ve got total buy-in from the guys. They’re not fighting the system and what we’re doing. They’re just playing.”
That doesn’t mean there’s anything easy about what lies ahead for the Hornets this fall.
After returning from their long trip to Hawaii, the Hornets have to turn right around and play at Sacred Heart in Connecticut on Aug. 31.
While DelState doesn’t have two FBS teams on the schedule like last season, it still faces six road contests on its 11-game slate. Three of its first four MEAC matchups are away from home.
If nothing else, though, the Hawaii game seems to have brought more energy to preseason camp. Hull said there’s always a buzz about what the experience will be like.
“They’re really excited about it,” he said. “That’s all they really talk about. That’s helped us prepare the way we have been preparing, too.
“It brings a lot of energy to practice and how they’re preparing.”
“I definitely feel the energy,” agreed Cook.. “Everyone is juiced up. Everyone is ready for this competition and this battle to take place. We’re just excited to hop on that plane. It’s all we talk about.
“You can feel it in practice. The speed is different, the attitude is different. The energy is different. Everyone is just ready to go.”
No one is predicting the Hornets will upset Hawaii, of course. Likewise, no one outside the program thinks DelState will make a big turnaround this fall.
The Hornets were voted last in the MEAC preseason poll again.
In the end, though, DSU’s players know it only matters what they believe.
“You can’t think about what happened in the past,” said Carter. “Because what happened in the past can’t effect your season. What happened in the past can’t help you achieve anything in the upcoming season.
“The real challenge is just getting the other guys to have blinders on and forget about what happened in the past. Because what happened in the past doesn’t matter.”
“The camaraderie is at an all-time high,” said Core. “You had transfers and freshmen all come in, saw our record last year, and were like, ‘What can we do to help you all get better?’
“From that right there, the team automatically bonded. Practices are going well. ... It’s definitely a different energy this year. I’m definitely excited to see where we’re going with it.”
Most Popular
Comments / 0