Omar Cuff rushed for a school-record 288 yards and four touchdowns to lead Delaware to a 44-7 win over Delaware State in the opening round of the 2007 Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) playoffs at UD Stadium Friday.

The nationally-televised contest (ESPN) was the first-ever meeting between the state’s two Division I football programs, and Delaware State’s first playoff appearance. The Blue Hens, 9-3, advance to next week’s playoff quarterfinals, while the Hornets, champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, end their season at 10-2. The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for Delaware State, which suffered its first defeat since a 38-7 setback to Kent State on September 15.

Delaware led 44-0 before the Hornets finally scored on a 19-yard fumble return by Reggie McCoy with 12:48 left to play. Cuff, a senior, had two one-yard scoring runs and a 37-yard scamper in the first half. He had a two-yard touchdown run on the opening drive third quarter. Delaware rushed for 347 of its 536 total yards. The Hornets were held to 56 yards passing and 144 total yards.

Delaware scored on each of its first five possessions to open up a 30-0 lead. UD quarterback Joe Flacco connected with tight end Robbie Agnone on a 32-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the game. The Hens stretched their lead to 14-0 when Cuff’s one-yard touchdown run capped off a five-play, 57-yard drive with 8:11 left in the first quarter. His second touchdown, also a one-yard run, gave Delaware a 20-0 lead with 1:53 left in the opening quarter.

After a 22-yard field goal by Jon Striefsky gave the Hens a 23-0 lead, Cuff capped off a 92-yard, 10-play drive with his third touchdown of the game. His 37-yard run gave Delaware a 30-0 lead with 7:00 left in the second quarter.

The Hens opened up a 37-0 lead when Cuff scored from two yards out to complete a 13-play, 91-yard drive to start the third quarter. Delaware State also hurt its cause by committing three turnovers, including an interception at the Delaware 10-yard line with 1:32 left in the first half.

Senior linebacker Russell Reeves was a bright spot for the Hornets, leading all players with a career-high 20 tackles, including nine solo stops. Josh Pope had 13 tackles, while Ryan Robinson and Ronn Spinner added 10 each.