What Is 2014 Delaware State Hornets football

Overview

The 2014 Delaware State Hornets football team represented Delaware State University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), competing as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Under the leadership of third-year head coach Kermit Blount, the team navigated a challenging season marked by competitive conference matchups and modest improvement over previous years.

The Hornets played their home games at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Delaware, a venue with a seating capacity of approximately 7,500. Despite not securing a postseason berth, the 2014 campaign provided valuable experience for a developing roster aiming to strengthen its standing in the MEAC.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 5–6 overall record, marking a slight improvement from their 2013 performance under head coach Kermit Blount.
• Conference Play: In MEAC competition, the Hornets posted a 4–4 record, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
• Head Coach: Kermit Blount was in his third season as head coach, working to rebuild the program after inheriting a struggling team in 2011.
• Home Stadium: Alumni Stadium, located on the university's campus in Dover, served as the team's home field throughout the season.
• Scoring: Delaware State scored 267 total points in 11 games, averaging 24.3 points per game while allowing 32.5 points per contest.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2014 season featured a mix of close losses and hard-fought victories, reflecting the team's transitional phase. Several games were decided by single digits, highlighting the competitiveness of the Hornets despite their losing record.

• September 6, 2014: The season opened with a 35–14 loss to Howard University, setting an early tone of defensive struggles.
• September 20: A 34–31 win over Morgan State marked the team’s first MEAC victory and demonstrated offensive resilience.
• October 4: The Hornets defeated South Carolina State 37–21, a significant win against a long-time conference rival.
• October 18: A narrow 24–21 loss to North Carolina Central showed the team could compete with top MEAC contenders.
• November 15: The season concluded with a 45–28 loss to Florida A&M, eliminating postseason hopes.
• Offensive Leader: Quarterback Khalil Humphrey threw for 1,758 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the passing attack.
• Defensive Standout: Linebacker Darius Wilson recorded 98 total tackles, the highest on the team and among the MEAC leaders.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2014 Hornets to prior seasons reveals trends in performance and development:

The 2014 season represented a peak in Blount’s tenure, both in wins and scoring output. While the team failed to qualify for the FCS playoffs, the .500 conference record signaled progress. However, subsequent seasons saw regression, underscoring the challenges of sustained improvement in the MEAC.

Why It Matters

The 2014 Delaware State Hornets season is a case study in incremental development within a historically competitive HBCU conference. It highlighted both the potential and limitations of the program under Kermit Blount’s leadership.

• Program Growth: The 5–6 record was the best during Blount’s five-year tenure, suggesting a temporary upward trend.
• Recruiting Impact: Improved performance helped in attracting regional talent to the Dover campus.
• MEAC Relevance: A .500 conference record kept Delaware State competitive in MEAC standings discussions.
• Player Development: Several players, including Darius Wilson, earned All-MEAC honors, boosting the program’s visibility.
• Fan Engagement: Competitive games increased attendance and student involvement at Alumni Stadium.
• Coaching Evaluation: The season became a benchmark for assessing Blount’s long-term viability as head coach.

Ultimately, the 2014 season stands as a modest high point before a return to losing records, illustrating the difficulty of building consistent success at the FCS level in a resource-constrained environment.