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NORFOLK, Va. – Mitchell Ward kicked the winning 43-yard field goal in overtime to propel visiting Delaware State to a 13-10 win over Norfolk State before 11,260 fans on the Spartans' homecoming on Saturday afternoon at Dick Price Stadium.

For the third straight year, DSU (2-5, 2-1 MEAC) rallied from a second-half deficit to beat NSU, overcoming a stout defensive effort from the Spartans (2-5, 2-1). DSU managed just 114 yards of total offense, yet took advantage of three blocked kicks and three NSU turnovers. One of the blocked kicks resulted in DSU's only touchdown of the game.

The Spartans dominated the first half, holding DSU to just six yards in the first quarter and 35 in the first half. Meanwhile, NSU got a career-long 51-yard field goal by Cameron Marouf on its first drive of the game. The Spartans extended their lead to 10-0 in the second quarter. Freshman returner Darius Wilson corralled a bouncing Jeremiah McGeough punt at the NSU 20-yard line, weaved in and out of traffic and outran the coverage for an 80-yard touchdown. It was NSU's first punt return for touchdown since 2012.

Ironically, it was the DSU special teams that got the Hornets back into the game. Midway through the third quarter with the Spartans backed up in their own end, DSU defensive back Terrick Colston blocked a Dylan Shaddix punt. Colston chased down the loose ball and returned it three yards for the score, cutting NSU's lead to 10-7 with 9:08 left in the period.

DSU knotted the game up in the fourth quarter. After forcing a three-and-out from the Spartan offense, the Hornets put together their only extended drive of the game, marching 63 yards in 12 plays for the tying field goal. The drive was aided by a pass interference call against NSU in the end zone, which gave the Hornets a first down at the NSU 7. The Spartan defense stiffened from there, keeping DSU out of the end zone on three straight running plays. DSU settled for a 23-yard field goal by Ward with 6:36 left in the third quarter, which tied the game at 10-all.

Neither offense could get much going after that, and it appeared the game was destined for overtime. But the NSU defense came up with its lone turnover of the game to give the Spartans one last chance in regulation. With the Hornets trying to run out the clock on a Malcolm Kelly quarterback keeper, NSU linebacker Marcell Coke stripped the ball free and teammate Deon King recovered at the DSU 13 with 59 seconds left in the fourth quarter.  

But NSU was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the play, backing the Spartans up to the DSU 28. Three plays later, Marouf came on to try a 36-yard field goal. But it was blocked by Gabe Sherrod – DSU's second blocked field goal of the game – sending the contest into overtime.

The Spartans got the ball first in the extra session. Clark hit James Church for 17 yards to give NSU a first down at the DSU 4. But on 2nd-and-goal from the 3, Clark's lob pass into the end zone intended for Lynden Trail was intercepted by Hornets' safety Davon Moore.

The Hornets weren't successful moving the ball in overtime either, as their three offensive plays failed to gain a yard. But on fourth down, Ward punched his 43-yard field goal attempt through a cross-wind and between the uprights for the winning points.

Neither team's offense could find the end zone in a game dominated by defense and momentum-changing special teams plays. DSU tallied just 114 total offensive yards, including 92 rushing (on 46 carries) and 22 passing. NSU managed 152 yards rushing and 88 passing. Clark led NSU with 71 rushing yards on 22 carries, and also completed 13-of-23 passes for 88 yards. Brendon Riddick added 67 rushing yards on 15 carries. Riddick also caught four passes, tied for team-high honors with Keith Johnson.

The Spartan defense registered a season-high six sacks in one of its best performances in a year full of them. King had 2.5, George Riddick and Lamar Neal each had one, and Trail and Coke each had a half. Trail led NSU with 12 tackles, the half sack, and he also blocked a Ward field goal in the third quarter. Coke and Riddick both added 10 tackles, with Neal contributed nine and King eight.

DSU's 114 yards are the fewest by an NSU opponent since Virginia State had 107 on Sept. 1, 2012, and the fewest by a Division I opponent since Savannah State's 45 on Nov. 5, 2011. The Hornets became the fifth NSU opponent this season in seven games to be held under 100 yards rushing.

The Spartans are on the road next week at Hampton in the annual Battle of the Bay. Kickoff time is 1 p.m. at Armstrong Stadium. The game will be televised live on ESPN3 and tape delayed at 10:30 p.m. on ESPNU.