What Is 2017 Delaware State Hornets football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Delaware State Hornets football team represented Delaware State University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 2–10 record under head coach Rod Milstead. They competed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), going 1–7 in conference play.

Key Facts

The 2017 Delaware State Hornets finished the season with a 2–10 overall record
They had a 1–7 record in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play
Head coach Rod Milstead was in his first full season leading the team
The team played home games at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Delaware
They scored 187 total points, averaging 15.6 points per game

Overview

The 2017 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), the Hornets struggled throughout the season, finishing with a 2–10 overall record and 1–7 in conference play.

Under the leadership of first-year head coach Rod Milstead, the team faced challenges on both offense and defense. Despite flashes of potential, they were unable to secure consistent wins, ultimately placing near the bottom of the MEAC standings.

Overall record: The Hornets finished the 2017 season with a 2–10 record, including only one conference victory, highlighting a difficult rebuilding year.
MEAC performance: Their 1–7 conference record placed them in last place in the MEAC’s Southern Division, behind teams like North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State.
Head coach:Rod Milstead, in his first full season, took over after serving as interim coach in 2016 and aimed to revitalize the program with a new offensive system.
Home stadium: The team played its home games at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Delaware, a 7,500-seat venue that has hosted Hornets football since 1957.
Scoring average: Delaware State averaged 15.6 points per game, one of the lowest in the FCS, while allowing over 30 points per game on defense.

How It Works

The structure and operation of a college football season like Delaware State’s in 2017 involve scheduling, player eligibility, coaching strategy, and conference alignment. Each element contributes to the team’s performance and long-term development.

Season Format: The NCAA FCS season consists of a 12-game regular season, with teams eligible for a postseason playoff if they meet qualification standards.
Conference Play: As a member of the MEAC, Delaware State played a conference schedule that determined seeding for the MEAC Championship Game.
Recruiting Cycle: The 2017 roster included players from the 2017 recruiting class, many of whom were high school seniors joining the team that August.
Coaching Staff: Head coach Rod Milstead oversaw a staff responsible for game planning, player development, and in-game decisions throughout the season.
Player Eligibility: Athletes must maintain academic standing and have four years of eligibility, though redshirts can extend this to five years.
Game Operations: Each game involved pregame preparation, halftime adjustments, and postgame analysis, with travel logistics for away MEAC matchups across the Eastern U.S.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2017 Hornets to other MEAC teams reveals performance gaps in scoring, defense, and overall competitiveness.

Team	Overall Record	MEAC Record	Points Scored	Points Allowed
Delaware State	2–10	1–7	187	372
North Carolina A&T	9–3	6–2	392	218
South Carolina State	7–4	6–2	262	188
Hampton	5–6	4–4	238	274
Howard	3–8	2–6	201	315

The data shows Delaware State ranked near the bottom in both scoring and defense. While North Carolina A&T dominated the MEAC and advanced to the FCS playoffs, the Hornets struggled to keep games competitive, often losing by large margins.

Why It Matters

Understanding the 2017 season is important for evaluating the trajectory of Delaware State’s football program and the impact of coaching changes and player development.

Program rebuilding: The 2017 season marked the beginning of Rod Milstead’s tenure, setting the foundation for future roster and strategic overhauls.
Player development: Young athletes gained experience, with several freshmen starters expected to improve in subsequent seasons.
Recruiting implications: A losing record can affect recruiting, making it harder to attract top MEAC-level talent without visible progress.
Conference competitiveness: The MEAC uses win-loss records to determine playoff eligibility, and Delaware State’s performance excluded them from contention.
Financial impact: Poor attendance and lack of postseason play can reduce athletic department revenue and funding for football operations.
Historical context: The 2–10 record continued a trend of struggles, with the program not posting a winning season since 2011.

The 2017 campaign was a challenging chapter in Delaware State football history, but it provided critical lessons for future growth and long-term competitiveness within the MEAC.