OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Shenandoah University earned a win in its opening football game for the second time in three seasons with a 26-16 victory at Stevenson University Saturday night.

The game, which was delayed by 90 minutes due to a storm cell that passed through the Baltimore area, was the Hornets (1-0) second straight victory over the Mustangs (0-1).

In a game that had four lead changes, Shenandoah took the lead for good on a Carl Joseph 55-yard gallop at the 12:35 mark of the third.

Joseph, who led the Hornets offense with 29 carries for 178 yards, gave SU a 20-16 lead with the TD.

Senior Qiydaar Murphy then gave Shenandoah a little bit of breathing room by hauling in a 30-yard strike from classmate Shawn Lloyd at the 11:54 mark of the fourth.

Lloyd, who came on in relief of sophomore Phillip Gardner on the final drive of the second quarter, directed a 9-play, 90-yard drive to give the visitors a 13-9 lead at the break.

Freshman Andrew Smith finished off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, but it was Lloyd's 25-yard touch pass to freshman Troy Baldwin that set the Hornets up for the go-ahead score.

Stevenson needed just two plays in the third to re-take the lead, but Joseph again had the answer to put the Hornets on top to stay.

Defensively, senior Brandon Martin sealed the victory by picking off an Anthony Reid pass with just over two minutes remaining.

Shenandoah then gained one first down before running out the clock.

The Hornets finished the game with 441 yards in total offense on 67 plays with 254 of this total coming on the ground.

In addition to Joseph's 178 yards, Smith had 11 rushes for 74 yards.

SU hosts former USA South Conference foe Ferrum next Saturday night at 7:00 in its home opener.