From a 105–0 blowout to historic championship glory
In short: In 1980, Delaware State football suffered the largest defeat in Division I-AA history. Yet, the program didn't collapse. Instead, it underwent a series of dramatic rebuilds, navigating conference shifts, coaching eras, and even a long-awaited rivalry with the University of Delaware.
The program's history is defined by extreme fluctuations in fortune. Following a devastating 105–0 loss to Portland State on November 9, 1980, coach Joe Purzycki began a reconstruction that stabilized the team through the 1980s. Under Bill Collick, the Hornets entered a golden era, securing five MEAC championships between 1985 and 1996. Some of these titles were even won via technicalities; for instance, a 1987 championship was retroactively awarded after Howard University was found to have used ineligible players. The team's early years saw success in the Middle Atlantic Athletic Association, claiming titles in 1934 and 1935. Before joining the MEAC in 1971, the Hornets competed in the Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association for twenty-five years.
The 2000s brought a resurgence under Al Lavan, who arrived in 2004. Lavan implemented rigorous new standards for strength, academics, and discipline. His tenure peaked in 2007, a season where the Hornets achieved a school-record 10 wins, earned a high national ranking, and were recognized as Black College National Champions. This era also saw the resolution of a decades-long controversy regarding the lack of regular-season games against in-state rival University of Delaware, which finally took place during the 2007 playoffs. The 2007 squad even earned a spot in the NCAA playoffs. During this period, the program also benefited from significant alumni donations that upgraded their training equipment.
Despite these heights, the program has faced significant periods of struggle. Coaching transitions have often led to losing streaks, such as the seventeen-game slump during Kenny Carter's tenure in the late 2010s. From its origins in 1924 as the State College for Colored Students to its current status in the MEAC, the Hornets' journey remains a complex narrative of resilience and institutional evolution. The program's alumni include notable NFL players like offensive guard Rod Milstead. However, recent years have seen the team struggle through various coaching changes, including the tenures of Kermit Blount and Rod Milstead.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Delaware State Hornets football
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