TIGER OPPONENT PREVIEW: DELAWARE STATE
By Greg Gibson
On Saturday (3:00 P.M., SECN), the Missouri Tigers (1-2) play host to the Delaware State Hornets (0-2).
Delaware State is coming off of a bye week, after losing a pair of games to fellow FCS teams Delaware and Monmouth.
Second-year Head Coach Kenny Carter is 1-12. Last year, Delaware State finished 1-7 in the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), which is comprised of FCS schools.
Through two games against FCS competition, Delaware State is averaging 17 points/game, while surrendering an average of 45 points/game. They have not scored in the 1st half of a game this year, and have done all of their scoring in the 2nd half of games that had already been decided.
They haven’t very often played against FBS competition. Seven years ago, Delaware State played at Michigan, and lost by a 63-6 score. That was the last time the Hornets have played a P-5 opponent.
The good news for Delaware State is that the Hornets will receive over half-a-million dollars for suiting up against Missouri, a sum which will likely go a long way toward funding their athletics programs.
It’s been a long time since Delaware State was competitive in football. About 30 years ago, Delaware State was a competitive FCS team.
The Hornets have struggled in all three phases of the game against other FCS teams. They have had moderate success running the football (3.4 yards/carry) against those lower level opponents. That’s probably what they do best, although they’ve undermined their own offensive efforts with penalties and turnovers.
Defensively, they've given up over 5 yards/carry, and over 300 yards/game, on the ground against their two FCS opponents this year. They're not good against the pass either, although teams haven't had to throw against them very much.
This is a mismatch. Just hope nobody gets hurt.
Comparative Statistics
MIZ STAT DSU
36.0 Points Per Game 17.0
23.5 Points Allowed 45.0
175.0 Rush Yards 79.5
191.0 Rush Yards Allowed 300.5
379.5 Passing Yards 123.0
270.0 Passing Yards Allowed 163.5
554.5 Total Yards 202.5
461.0 Total Yards Allowed 464.0
23:31 Time of Possession 18:33
19-for-39 Third Down 5-for-19
5-for-9 Red Zone 2-for-2