In a hard-fought nonconference football game on September 5, Delaware State University faced off against William & Mary at Zable Stadium in Williamsburg, Virginia. Despite a spirited fourth-quarter comeback attempt, the Hornets ultimately fell short, losing 22-15 to the Tribe.
The game marked a significant moment for Delaware State quarterback Noah Brannock, who was making his first appearance for the Hornets after transferring from William & Mary. After replacing starter Ui Ale, Brannock led a late surge, scoring two touchdowns in the final quarter. However, his efforts were not enough to secure a victory, as a crucial fourth-and-6 pass from the DSU 49-yard line fell incomplete with just over a minute remaining, allowing William & Mary to run out the clock.
Brannock's first score came with 9:59 left in the game, when he executed an 11-yard touchdown run, capping off a 6-play, 65-yard drive. This touchdown put Delaware State on the board, and Jaron Kelley added a two-point conversion to narrow the gap to 22-8.
After the Hornets forced a punt on the Tribe's next possession, Brannock's momentum seemed to stall when a pass was intercepted following a bobble by a receiver. Nevertheless, he managed to score again, this time on a 2-yard run, completing a 7-play, 69-yard drive that brought Delaware State within a touchdown at 22-15 with just 3:04 left on the clock.
Despite the late-game heroics, Delaware State's performance was marred by mistakes, including six turnovers and 11 penalties that totaled 94 yards. The Hornets outgained William & Mary in total yardage, finishing with 366 yards compared to the Tribe's 187. Defensively, Delaware State was strong, recording 13 tackles for loss, including five sacks, but the offensive struggles ultimately proved too costly.
With this loss, Delaware State's record dropped to 1-1, while William & Mary improved to 2-0 and maintained their status as the 17th-ranked team in the FCS. Ale, the starting quarterback, completed 15 of 31 passes for 138 yards but struggled with two interceptions. Brannock finished the game with 54 yards on 6-for-11 passing with one interception, while Jayden Jenkins led the Hornets' rushing attack with 57 yards on 10 carries.
The game began poorly for Delaware State, as they fell behind 16-0 in the first quarter due to a combination of turnovers and penalties that allowed William & Mary to capitalize on short field positions. A blocked punt and a fumble recovery set the Tribe up for success early on, and despite a scoreless second quarter for both teams, the damage had already been done.
As the season progresses, Delaware State will need to address its turnover issues and improve its discipline to compete effectively in upcoming games. The Hornets will look to bounce back as they continue their season, aiming to build on the positive moments from their fourth-quarter rally against a strong William & Mary team.
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