DeSean Jackson celebrates with Delaware State administrators.

First-year coach DeSean Jackson and Delaware State spoiled North Carolina Central’s sold-out homecoming Saturday with a hard-fought 35-26 win. The Eagles hadn’t lost at homecoming since 2019. The Hornets’ last win over NCCU was 2018 at DSU’s homecoming.

DSU’s two-headed monster of Marquis Gillis and Kaiden Bennett combined for 179 yards and two touchdowns (both by Gillis.) Wide receiver NyGhee Lolley caught five passes for 124 yards and three TDs.

After trailing 10-7 at halftime, Delaware State (5-3, 1-0) scored 14 straight points – both TD passes from Kaiden Bennett to Lolley for 72 and 25 yards for a 21-10 lead. NCCU (5-3, 0-1) closed the gap on a Walker Harris 1-yard plunge with 1:30 left in the third.

A Harris-to-Chauncey Spikes 10-yard connection gave the Eagles their first lead in the second half at 24-21 early in the fourth period. But the Hornets drove 87 yards and used up five minutes that culminated in a Gillis 33-yard run to put the Hornets back ahead 28-24. DSU sealed the deal on Gillis’ 2-yard plunge will 1:55 left.

NCCU defensive lineman Jelani Vassell recorded a game-high 11 tackles, five solo. The Eagles travel to Howard next Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest, while the Hornets face Norfolk State in a Thursday night game in Philadelphia on ESPNU.