D2-CFB Game Preview: Bowie State Bulldogs (1-0) vs. Delaware State Hornets (1-1)

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Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
Venue: Alumni Stadium, Dover, Delaware
Capacity: ~7,000
Coverage: ESPN+ / Live Stats via Delaware State Athletics

Weather Forecast (Dover, DE)

Conditions: Mostly sunny

Kickoff Temperature: ~72°F (22°C)

Wind: 6–8 mph from the southwest

Precipitation Chance: <10%

Impact: Ideal football weather — minimal effect on passing or kicking games

Injury Report

Bowie State Bulldogs

QB1 (Probable) – Healthy after strong opener vs. Shippensburg

WR2 (Questionable) – Hamstring tightness, game-time decision

LB1 (Probable) – Shoulder wrap, cleared for contact

Delaware State Hornets

QB K. Bennett (Probable) – 135 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT vs. UAlbany; no reported injury

RB M. Gillis (Probable) – 123 rush yds in Week 2 win; also team’s leading receiver

CB2 (Out) – Groin strain, expected to miss 2–3 weeks

Recent Form

Bowie State

Week 1: Defeated Shippensburg 27–23 — balanced offense, late defensive stand

Finished 2024 strong with wins over Lincoln (PA) and Elizabeth City State

Delaware State

Week 0: Lost 35–17 at Delaware — struggled against FCS power

Week 2: Beat UAlbany 37–32 — offense exploded for 400+ yards, Gillis starred in dual-threat role

Series History

All-Time: Bowie State leads 1–0 in recent meetings

Last Meeting: Bowie State upset Delaware State 22–11 in 2023 — defense forced 3 turnovers, controlled time of possession

Key Player Matchups

Bowie State QB vs. DSU Secondary: Bulldogs’ passing attack vs. a Hornets defense missing a starting cornerback

M. Gillis (DSU) vs. Bowie State Front Seven: Gillis’ ability to impact both run and pass game will test BSU’s linebackers

Special Teams: Bowie State’s return unit vs. DSU’s coverage — potential hidden-yardage swing

Betting Trends

Bowie State is 4-1 ATS in last 5 games vs. FCS opponents

Delaware State is 5-2 ATS in last 7 home games

The Under has hit in 4 of the last 5 Delaware State non-conference games

Game Odds

Bowie State Bulldogs                     48.5

Delaware State Hornets                – 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025