TheWolverine.com - Opponent Preview: Delaware State defense

August 7, 2009

Michael Spath
TheWolverine.com Senior Writer

A year ago, Delaware State's defense allowed just 288.4 total yards per game and 20.7 points per contest. The Hornets return just five starters from that unit, but with plenty of experience, they have high hopes for similar success in 2009 ?

"They lost a lot but they have a lot of guys coming back that played last year and could really emerge with the opportunity," radio play-by-play man Scott Klatzkin said.

Three starters vacated their posts along the defensive line, but the position group won't lack talent this fall. Fifth-year end senior Fabian Dunn (6-4, 275), senior tackle Tyron Hurst (6-2, 295), senior end Joe Mendes (5-11, 220) and redshirt junior tackle Andre Carroll (6-2, 260) combined for 99 tackles, including 11 for loss, last season.

"They didn't get a ton of sacks, but they're guys the coaches feel will really blossom and take over for the guys that left without a noticeable gap," Klatzkin said. "Carroll is probably the fan-favorite because he's a hometown kid and anyone from Delaware always creates quite a stir."

DSU's biggest holes to fill are at linebacker where Kevin Connor and Josh Pope departed. Conner led the Hornets with 95 tackles while Pope accumulated 32 in his junior campaign. He was expected to anchor the unit this fall - a role that now lands at the feet of fifth-year senior Mike Gable (6-2, 210) - but ran into a number of issues that precluded his return.

"Gable is not a star but he is a returning starter," Klatzkin said. "He began his career in the secondary and he's still not a very big guy, but he can get the job done. Losing Pope really hurt because he was the type of athlete that really could have been something special this season.

"There are a lot of other guys that want those two open jobs but we're going to have to wait to see who steps up in fall camp."

Delaware State's defensive strength is in the secondary, where three starters return, including senior strong safety Avery Grant. A year ago, the 6-0, 180-pounder led the defensive backfield with 68 stops, with 8.5 occurring behind the line of scrimmage.

"He's a big-time hitter," Klatzkin said. "He just loves to hit people and he flies to the ball anticipating that big collision. He's definitely a favorite of the fans because of his physical style of play."

Redshirt junior cornerback Francis Adjei (6-2, 175) is also back after starting for the Hornets last season. He picked off three passes and broke up eight potential completions in 2008. Fifth-year senior safety Jerome Strums (6-0, 190) will also bring his experience to the defense. The Windsor, Conn., native started every game last year and made 40 tackles.

"Looking at the defense, the secondary is definitely the best unit and begins the fall with the fewest areas of concern," Klatzkin said. "They've got hitters, they have veterans and they have playmakers. These guys were very good against the pass last year and the expectation is that they will be just as good this year."

For the Hornets, 2009 figures to be a difficult season. While the coaches and athletes might be dreaming of a conference title, DSU is probably at least a year, and maybe two, from realizing that goal.

"It really, really hurts their chances this year that they're starting the league 0-1 [in forfeiting a game to play Michigan] but I don't think this was their year anyway," Klatzkin said. "With a first-time starting quarterback, new running backs, a new front four, two new linebackers - that's a lot of new starters. But all of these kids that will getting experience this season are young guys and will be back next fall.

"For Delaware State fans, there will definitely be some things to get excited about. They play at Michigan, and they're going to play Delaware in the regular season for the first time in program history [Sept. 19 in Newark, Del.] The whole state is looking forward to it."

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