DOVER — It’s one thing to go through an ordeal together.
But when a bus company’s mistake caused Delaware State’s football team to miss its flight to Hawaii two weeks ago, the Hornets ended up scattered around the country.
Unable to keep its 100-person travel party together on one flight, the Hornets had to split up into four groups for the 4,800-mile trip.
“There was some separation anxiety a little bit,” DSU coach Lee Hull said with a chuckle. “One group is in Houston, my group got left in JFK (Airport). Another group flew out of JFK and was in the air going to Hawaii.
“Another group couldn’t get a flight so they had to go back to the hotel. We were all over the place.
“It was a great feeling once everybody got there,” he added. “There was a big cheer. Everybody made it safely. It was good to see everybody.”
Even though it wasn’t Delaware State’s fault, the Hornets will probably have to live with the notoriety of that missed flight for a little while.
The story got some national attention online when it first happened.
But there may also be a silver lining in the whole thing for DelState.
The Hornets, who were 38-point underdogs against Hawaii, were tied with the Rainbow Warriors at 14-14 in the third quarter. Hawaii needed a second-half run to post a 35-14 victory.
Despite facing a short week and another road trip, DelState then went to Connecticut on Saturday and edged Sacred Heart, 17-15. It was the program’s first win over an FCS opponent in two seasons.
Hull said he definitely thought dealing with the Hawaii trip brought his players closer together.
“I thought the guys handled it very well, “ he said. “They were very mature about understanding that it was nothing that DSU did.
“I think they really bonded and came together even closer because of the experience. We spent some long hours in the hotel and also in the airport.”
The most difficult part of the situation, said Hull, was feeling a little bit helpless about what happened next. There was nothing simple about rearranging plans to get a football team to Hawaii.
“Just not knowing and there’s nothing that you can do to help the situation,” Hull said. “Your fate is in other people’s hands. .... Once it starts happening, it becomes a little bit more of a domino effect.
“You were sitting back waiting like, ‘What’s going to happen next?’”
The Hornets seemed to keep a sense of humor in a couple social-media videos, even posting one with Hull.
Along with the players, Hull said the whole coaching staff and other support personnel all stepped up to make sure the revamped trip worked out. Each of the four groups had adults with them.
DSU president Dr. Tony Allen praised the team for how it dealt with everything that happened.
He noted that the players befriended a young boy named Dallas who was battling brain cancer. They invited he and his family to the game.
The players also shared food with other stranded passengers.
“The prime lesson in sports is learned when you get knocked down,” Dr. Allen wrote in a letter to the campus community. “Do you begin to list a long litany of grievances? Strive a little less hard in the next moments? Hang your head in defeat before the contest is over?
“Or do you get back up, run full steam, and persevere? Our student-athletes did the latter.”
As for the game itself, DelState was feeling pretty good about itself when it ended the first half with a touchdown drive and then started the second half with another one to knot the score at 14-14.
“You know right there that you have a chance,” said Hull. “You’re in the ballgame with a pretty good FBS school who went to a bowl game last year.
“For us to be able to do that with all the mishaps, it shows a lot about our team’s fortitude and what this team is made of. We’ve just got to keep grinding and expand on that — and just keep getting better.”
The Hornets have an open date this weekend before hosting Wagner on Sept. 14 at 3 p.m.
After the back-to-back road trips, they could use a break.
Off and running
Jaden Sutton’s DelState career got off to a tough start last fall.
A transfer from Lafayette, the veteran running back was injured early in the season. He ended up playing in just four games and running for 38 yards.
But in just two games this season, Sutton already has 142 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’s added 58 yards on a team-leading five receptions.
“He’s a complete running back — he can run the ball and catch the ball,” said Hull. “He’s also a smart kid so he’s really good in protection. We’re glad we have him and we’re looking for big things out of him the rest of the season.”
Extra points
Quarterback Marqui Adams has gained 127 yards on 30 carries so far. With lost yardage, his net yards gained are 88. .... Punter Nathan Wilson is averaging 42.76 yards on 17 kicks this year. He’s also 4-for-4 on PAT kicks and 1-for-2 on field goals.
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