DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State can make history, Villanova’s playoff projections, and Eastern’s dream week

When DeSean Jackson and his Delaware State program came to Lincoln Financial Field three weeks ago, he brought a team that was 5-3 and fresh off its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win of the season against North Carolina Central.

After defeating Michael Vick’s Norfolk State in a battle between former Eagles teammates on Oct. 30, the Hornets beat Morgan State and Howard over the last two weeks, extending their winning streak to five.

At 8-3, Delaware State not only has its most wins in a season since 2007, but it also has a chance to win the MEAC for the first time in 18 years and just the seventh time in school history.

» READ MORE: Delaware State would love to play another HBCU Classic at the Linc. The Eagles like the idea, too.

A win on Saturday against South Carolina State (1 p.m., ESPN+) also would send the program to its first Celebration Bowl on Dec. 13 in Atlanta. The Celebration Bowl is the HBCU championship game between the winners of the MEAC and Southwestern Athletic Conference, and this year will be the 10th edition of the game.

Getting there will be a challenge, though. South Carolina State has won the MEAC in two of the last four years, including last season under first-year coach Chennis Berry. The Bulldogs won the upset Jackson State to win the 2021 Celebration Bowl, beating a team led by Deion Sanders and his son and current Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

This season, Delaware State is 4-0 at home, and averages 42.3 points and 363 rushing yards in those wins. Overall, the Hornets are the top rushing team (277.5) and No. 22 scoring offense in the FCS (33.6).

South Carolina State’s defense ranks 16th in rushing yards allowed per game (113.5) but ranks 72nd out of 126 FCS schools in scoring defense (27.18 points per game).

In the MEAC preseason poll, Delaware State was picked to finish last, which Jackson doesn’t let people forget, while South Carolina State was picked to win the conference for the second straight year.

Win or lose, Jackson’s first foray into coaching has defied expectations.

And his team may return to the Linc next season.

Another week of great news to deliver about the area’s little Division III program that could, as the Eagles of Eastern University wrapped up a nine-win regular season (9-1) last Saturday by winning the Middle Atlantic Conference.

This week, the school received more conference accolades as quarterback Brett Nabb picked up Offensive Player of the Year, linebacker Jason Bateman won Defensive Player of the Year, and Billy Crocker was named the conference’s Coach of the Year.

Next up for the Eagles? A first-round bye in the NCAA playoffs, which start Saturday. Eastern will open the postseason on the road against Franklin & Marshall on Nov. 29 (noon, watch live).

Villanova won its final game in the Coastal Athletic Association in thrilling fashion last weekend and currently is second (8-2, 7-1 CAA) in the conference standings behind Rhode Island (9-2, 7-0).

To earn at least a share of the CAA title, Villanova needs Rhode Island to lose its conference finale against Hampton. Also in the mix for a piece of the title is Monmouth (9-2, 6-1), which faces Albany, although Villanova would win any tiebreaking scenario and the automatic FCS playoff berth that comes with it against Rhode Island and Monmouth. Hampton and Albany are winless in conference play.

A CAA title seems unlikely for Villanova, but it will set its sights on a third straight FCS playoff berth and fourth appearance over the last five seasons. The Wildcats likely will receive an at-large bid to the 24-team playoff, with their last regular-season hurdle coming in the form of Sacred Heart (8-3), which will join the CAA next year as Villanova exits for the Patriot League (1 p.m., FloCollege).

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Many outlets project Villanova earning a top 16 seed as a first-round playoff host. Opta Analysis projects Villanova as the No. 11 seed and hosting Youngstown State, while Hero Sports and Sports Illustrated have Villanova as the No. 16 seed and also hosting Youngstown State in the first round.

The Wildcats know Youngstown State well. Villanova beat the Penguins, 24-17, to open the 2024 season and won a 2023 playoff matchup, 45-28. The schools also had three memorable playoff matchups in the ’90s, all won by Youngstown State.

Villanova has advanced past the first round of the FCS playoffs in its last four appearances. We’ll see if Mark Ferrante’s squad can solidify its playoff standing Saturday at Villanova Stadium, where the Wildcats are 5-0.

With one game left in Penn’s football season, against Princeton on Saturday (1 p.m., NBCSP+), wide receiver Jared Richardson needs three more receiving touchdowns to set a single-season record. Richardson, the team’s leading receiver, has caught 12 touchdowns this season. The previous school record was set in 2017 by Justin Watson, who caught 14 before embarking on an NFL career that continues with the Houston Texans this year.

Two weeks ago, we told you about Richardson’s pursuit of the program’s single-season receiving yards record. After combining for 123 yards over the last two games, Richardson needs 178 more yards to surpass Watson’s mark (1,115) set in 2016.

» READ MORE: James Franklin vows to pour his ‘heart and soul’ into new job as Virginia Tech’s coach

Penn is out of the race to win the Ivy League with a 3-3 conference record. But Richardson, who in 2023 set a school record with 17 receptions in a game, also can reach the top three in school history in career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He is tied with Dan Castles for the second-most receiving touchdowns in a career (27) and needs 35 yards to surpass Castles (2,444) for the third-most receiving yards in program history. Richardson currently sits at 2,410 receiving yards.

Meanwhile, Penn State running back Kaytron Allen needs 139 yards over the last two games to become the Nittany Lions’ all-time leading rusher. Penn State, which hosts Nebraska on Saturday (7 p.m., NBC10) still is chasing a bowl game berth, and likely will lean on Allen to get there.

Allen sits third all-time on Penn State’s rushing yards in a career list with 3,794 yards, and trails Saquon Barkley (3,843) by 49 yards. Evan Royster has the all-time mark with 3,932 yards. Allen already surpassed Royster’s mark for most rushing attempts in a Penn State career.

Fellow running back Nick Singleton is close to breaking two Penn State records. Singleton trails Barkley (43 rushing touchdowns) by two and is one touchdown away from tying Barkley’s total touchdowns from scrimmage (51 for Barkley, 50 for Singleton).

No. 13 Miami at Virginia Tech (noon, ESPN)

All eyes will be on the sidelines of the Hokies, who welcome the Hurricanes as 17.5-point underdogs at home. The question will be if new coach James Franklin will stand alongside interim coach Philip Montgomery or evaluate what he has in the 3-7 Hokies from elsewhere in the stadium. Miami should win easily, but the intrigue is just how soon Franklin gets his feet wet.