What Is 2011 Delaware State Hornets football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Delaware State Hornets football team represented Delaware State University in the NCAA Division I FCS, finishing with a 5–6 overall record and 4–4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Head coach Al Woods led the team, which played home games at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Delaware.

Key Facts

The 2011 Delaware State Hornets football team had a 5–6 overall record
They finished 4–4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Head coach Al Woods was in his second season leading the team
Home games were played at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Delaware
The team scored 263 points and allowed 310 during the season

Overview

The 2011 Delaware State Hornets football team represented Delaware State University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Competing in the 2011 college football season, the Hornets were led by head coach Al Woods, who was in his second year at the helm.

The team played its home games at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Delaware, and finished the season with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play. Despite falling short of postseason qualification, the Hornets showed improvement in several key offensive and defensive categories compared to the prior season.

Record: The Hornets posted a 5–6 overall record, marking a modest improvement from their 2–9 performance in 2010.
Conference Play: In MEAC competition, Delaware State finished 4–4, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
Head Coach: Al Woods served as head coach, focusing on rebuilding the program after inheriting a struggling team in 2010.
Home Field: Alumni Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 7,200, hosted all home games and provided a competitive environment.
Scoring: The team scored 263 total points while allowing 310, indicating a slight deficit in point differential across the season.

How the 2011 Season Unfolded

The 2011 campaign was marked by a mix of close wins and narrow losses, with several games decided by single digits. Delaware State showed resilience in conference matchups but struggled against non-conference FCS opponents.

Non-Conference Play: The Hornets opened the season against tougher FCS programs, losing early games to Monmouth and Liberty, which set a challenging tone.
Offensive Growth: Quarterback Ricky Bodison and running back Jeremy Towns led a rushing attack that averaged 179 yards per game on the ground.
Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed an average of 28.2 points per game, with inconsistent pass coverage being a recurring issue throughout the season.
Key Victory: A 27–24 win over MEAC rival South Carolina State in October was one of the season’s highlights and boosted team morale.
Season Finale: The Hornets closed with a 38–28 loss to Howard, finishing one game below .500 and missing the MEAC title race.
Player Development: Several underclassmen gained significant playing time, laying groundwork for future seasons under Coach Woods’ leadership.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2011 Delaware State Hornets compared to their 2010 and 2012 seasons in key statistical categories:

Season	Overall Record	MEAC Record	Total Points Scored	Points Allowed
2010	2–9	2–6	194	318
2011	5–6	4–4	263	310
2012	2–9	2–6	202	328
Improvement:	+3 wins from 2010	+2 MEAC wins	+69 points scored	-8 points allowed
Postseason:	No	No	No FCS Playoffs	No bowl game

The 2011 season represented a brief upward trend in the program’s trajectory. While the Hornets failed to qualify for the FCS playoffs, the improvement over 2010 suggested progress under Woods’ leadership. However, the subsequent 2012 season regressed to 2–9, underscoring the inconsistency of that era.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season is a notable chapter in Delaware State football history due to its role as a transitional year. It demonstrated that competitive balance in the MEAC was achievable, even with limited resources.

Program Momentum: The 5–6 record was the best since 2007, giving fans hope for sustained improvement under Woods.
Recruiting Impact: Stronger on-field performance helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent cycles.
Conference Competitiveness: Finishing .500 in MEAC play showed the Hornets could compete with traditional powers like Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M.
Coaching Evaluation: The season provided critical data for athletic administrators assessing Woods’ long-term viability as head coach.
Player Development: Key contributors like Towns and Bodison gained experience that benefited future teams, even if immediate success wasn’t sustained.
Historical Context: The 2011 season remains a benchmark for measuring progress in Delaware State’s football program over the past decade.

In summary, while the 2011 Delaware State Hornets did not achieve postseason glory, their season represented a step forward in rebuilding efforts and remains a reference point for program development.