Delaware football team holds off Sacred Heart

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Delaware State’s football team has waited a long time to taste another victory over an FCS squad.

So it was a big moment for the Hornets when they held off Sacred Heart for a 17-15 victory on Saturday night.

Defensive lineman Eric Montes came up with a sack on a decisive two-point try by the Pioneers with just 1:54 remaining to all but seal the win.

Sacred Heart did get the ball back one more time but at its own seven yard line and didn’t go anywhere on four plays.

DelState (1-1) hadn’t beaten an FCS opponent since it topped South Carolina State in overtime on Nov. 5, 2022.

The Hornets went 1-10 last fall with their lone victory coming against non-NCAA program Virginia University of Lynchburg.

Running back Jaden Sutton scored a touchdown on a 39-yard burst with only 7:20 remaining. Nathan Wilson’s PAT kick gave the Hornets a 17-9 advantage.

Sacred Heart answered with an 11-play, 66-yard drive to close within 17-15 when Xavier Leigh swpt in for a four-yard TD run. But Montes came up with his sack to keep DelState in front.

The Hornets took the lead for good when Wilson’s 29-yard field goal with 12:03 on the clock gave DelState a 10-9 advantage. The kick capped a 13-play, 63-yard drive.

In the second quarter, the Hornets took a 7-3 lead when quarterback Marqui Adams found Kristian Tate on a 41-yard touchdown pass.

Adams completed 14-of-22 passes for 150 yards with the TD and no interceptions. The sophomore also ran the ball 15 times for a net of 44 yards.

Sutton ran for a game-high 86 yards on 13 carries.

Linebacker Charles Brown collected a team-high nine tackles, Barry Wagner had eight and Montes added seven. Wayne Favors and Christian Garrett both had interceptions.

Extra points

Smyrna High grad Nate Chandler, a second-year defensive end for Sacred Heart, had the first five tackles of his career, including two for losses. .. The Hornets’ only other meeting with Sacred Heart was decided by only three points. The Pioneers won 10-7, in 2014. .. DelState has an open date next weekend before hosting Wagner on Sept. 14.