Delaware State scored first but North Carolina Central scored frequently and prevailed 31-12 in the schools’ Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football opener at Alumni Stadium in Dover Oct. 23.
Delaware State fell to 4-4 after its first home loss this season and North Carolina Central improved to 3-5.
Kyree Benton’s 26-yard TD on an end-around run opened the scoring just 71 seconds into the game for DSU.
It came one play after starting quarterback Jayden Sauray was intercepted on the second snap of the game, but the ball was fumbled and Terrence Rone recovered for the Hornets.
North Carolina Central then scored 31 unanswered points keyed by Gino Addison rushing for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.
Eagles quarterback Cobey Thompkins completed 15 of 18 passes for 155 yards and a TD.
DSU managed just 257 total yards and was 1-for-8 on third-down conversions.
Sauray was 2-for-7 passing for 50 yards with two interceptions. Ui Ale completed 9 of his 10 passes for 74 yards. A third Hornets QB, Marqui Adams, score the game’s final touchdown on a 10-yard keeper.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware State's fast start fizzles in 31-12 loss to NC Central