Delaware State kept it close early before South Florida pulled away for a 59-17 victory in their football encounter Sept. 19 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Delaware State (2-2), an FCS school, trailed just 21-17 late in the first half before South Florida (3-0), a member of the FBS American Conference, pulled away with 38 unanswered points.
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DSU quarterback Ui Ale completed 16 of 22 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 49 yards. Jayden Sauray and Noah Brannock also saw QB duty.
The Hornets outgained USF 288-281 in total yards in the first half but the Bulls finished with a 611-353 advantage.
Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson reacts in the second quarter against Southern Connecticut at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Oct. 11, 2025.
USF covered 72 yards on just four plays plus a DSU penalty to start the game and take a 7-0 lead. The Hornets had a chance to close the gap on their first series but Patrick Fisher-Butler was wide right on a 47-yard field-goal try.
They then forced the Bulls to punt and tied the game after one play. From his own 10-yard line, Ale threw a pass that Nathan Stewart caught at the DSU 20 and sped to the end zone for a 90-yard touchdown.
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USF quickly regained the lead, however, going 75 yards on just four plays to go up 14-7 as D.J. Crowther ran for his second TD. Ale’s fumble on a strip sack recovered by USF at the DSU 41 led to another Bulls TD that made it 21-7.
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State quarterback Ui Ale looks down field in the first quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State quarterback Ui Ale looks down field in the first quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Jaylin Terzado dodges tacklers on the way to the end zone on his first quarter touchdown reception against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Jaylin Terzado dodges tacklers on the way to the end zone on his first quarter touchdown reception against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Jaylin Terzado is clear to the end zone on his first quarter touchdown reception as teammate Ryan Pellum Taylor follows against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State’s Jaylin Terzado celebrates his first quarter touchdown reception against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Members of D’Elegance celebrate a Hornets touchdown in the first quarter of the Delaware State’s’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Gensley Auguste continues to help on a tackle after losing his helmet in the first quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Jayden Jenkins tries to escape a tackle In the first quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State’s Jaylin Terzado pulls in a pass in the first quarter against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Ui Ale is tackled in the first quarter as Stony Brook’s Khalid Bueno (11) loses his helmet as In the first half at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State cheerleaders work In the second quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State quarterback Samari Collier heads for the end zone on his second quarter touchdown run against Stony Hill at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State quarterback Samari Collier heads for the end zone on his second quarter touchdown run against Stony Hill at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State adds an extra point under a threatening sky In the second quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State’s Wayne Favors (1) celebrates an interception in the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State’s Malcolm Jefferies (center) celebrates a fumble recovery in the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State defenders, including Jordan Banks (right) pressure Stony Brook quarterback Quinn Boyd In the second quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
A member of the Approaching Storm Marching Band is ready for the halftime performance In the of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State’s Bronseman Davis Jr. is hit by Stony Brook’s Joseph Garcia as he steps out of bounds resulting in a penalty in the second quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State quarterback Ui Ale escapes Stony Brook’s Khalid Bueno In the third quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State’s Jayden Jenkins avoids a tackle on a third quarter touchdown in the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State defenders including Andrew Harris (left) take down Stony Brook’s Justin Reshard In the third quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson works in the third quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Mark Burns breaks up a pass intended for Stony Brook receiver DJ Linkins in fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Patrick Fisher-Butler kicks a successful 52-yard field goal In the third quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Patrick Fisher-Butler (46) is mobbed by teammates including holder Ghazi Chraibi (left) following a successful 52-yard field goal In the third quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Patrick Fisher-Butler celebrates his 52-yard field goal In the third quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State quarterback Samari Collier tries to get past Stony Brook’s Joseph Garcia in the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Stony Brook celebrates a stop on fourth down in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Andrew Harris (10) stops Stony Brook’s CJ Hester (left) on a run in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Sean Weston Jr. gets into the end zone in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State’s Sean Weston Jr. (22) is joined by teammates after his touchdown run In the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Delaware State’s Mark Burns breaks up a pass to Stony Brook’s Justin Reshard In fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State celebrates as Stony Brook ends the game with an incompletion in the end zone in the Hornets’ 41-34 win at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State’s Lamont Payne dances as the Hornets celebrate a 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson addresses his team after the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware State takes opener, escapes late charge by Stony Brook
Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson celebrates with his team after the Hornets’ 41-34 win against Stony Brook at Alumni Stadium, August 27, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Ale’s 50-yard gain on DSU’s next series led to Fisher-Butler’s 23-yard field goal that cut the gap to 21-10.
Wayne Favors III later recovered a fumble for DSU at the USF 48. That led to Ale’s 20-yard TD pass to Jaylin Terzado as DSU pulled to within 21-17 1:18 before halftime.
But a Bulls TD on the final play of the first half gave them a 28-17 halftime lead. DSU outgained USF 288-281 in total yards in the first half. The Hornets were then stopped on the Bulls’ 39 on the first possession of the second half and USF responded with its scoring spree.
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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 keeps it close early but South Florida prevails
You can view the original article HERE.
