University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
#rv James Madison
Blue Hens Make Goal Line Stand in Overtime as Delaware Hangs On To Defeat James Madison, 30-23, in CAA Opener
9/27/2014 7:47:00 PM | Football
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Trent Hurley connected with Jerel Harrison on a diving four-yard touchdown pass in overtime and the Blue Hen defense followed by stopping Taylor Woods just short of the goal line (below) as the No. 25 University of Delaware football team held on for a 30-23 Colonial Athletic Association victory over James Madison Saturday afternoon at Bridgeforth Stadium.
The Blue Hens, who claimed their fifth consecutive CAA opener, improved to 3-1 on the season and extended their winning streak to three. JMU, which dropped its second straight game dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in league play.
Dave Brock, whose team has now downed the Dukes each of the past two
seasons. "I could not be more proud of the way our guys responded. This was a tough week but they came out focused. It's a testament to their strength and character. We are growing up slowly but surely."
Delaware carried a 16-6 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Dukes countered with a three-yard touchdown pass before Connor Arnone booted a 43-yard field goal to knot the contest with 2:55 left in the fourth quarter.
However the Blue Hens immediately responded on a third down play as Hurley found Harrison, who caught the ball near the hashmark and raced down the right sideline through the Dukes secondary for an 86-yard score with 1:37 showing on the clock. The play was the third longest pass connection in school history and the longest since Matt Nagy hit Eddie Conti on a school-record 88-yard scoring pass vs. Northeastern in 1998.
But JMU answered with a seven-play drive, forcing overtime when quarterback Vad Lee scored from two yards out with 20 seconds left. Lee, a first-year transfer from Georgia Tech, threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 86 yards and a score to lead JMU.
Delaware got the ball first in overtime. After two strong runs up the middle from sophomore running back Wes Hills, the Hens eventually faced third down from the four. But Hurley dropped back and found a diving Harrison in the front left corner of the end zone to put the Blue Hens back in front.
The Dukes then got their turn with the ball and drove to the one-yard line, but after Lee pitched to Woods on an option play, Delaware's David Mackall and Roman Tatum and several other UD defenders were on the spot to tackle him inches from the end zone to seal the victory.
The final stop went to replay but officials upheld the ruling on the field, setting off a spirited celebration on the Blue Hens' sideline.
Delaware recorded its first overtime victory since a 34-33 win over Lehigh in 2005 and won an overtime game on the road for the first time since a 37-34 triumph over Northeastern in 1999.
Hurley finished the day hitting on 18 of 29 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns while Harrison had four catches for 127 yards and two scores. Hills, who had his No. 31 uniform ripped in the first quarter and wore No. 30 the rest of the way, ran 17 times for a career-high 126 yards for Delaware.
Delaware didn't waste any time getting on the board. After winning the coin toss and receiving the 
opening kickoff, the Hens struck quickly. On the first play from scrimmage, Hurley hit running back Jalen Randolph (at right) on a screen pass and the sophomore rambled 75 yards down the right sideline for the score and a 6-0 lead.
Randolph broke several tackles early before outrunning the JMU secondary, barely reaching the end zone in front of a lunging Dukes defender. The pass play was the third longest ever by a UD running back.
JMU came right back and marched down the field quickly, but the Dukes came up empty when UD's Derrick Saulsberry blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt by Arnone,
The Dukes eventually evened things on their next possession as a 19-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 7:28 and included a converted fake punt for a first down resulted in a 6-6 tie. Lee connected with Daniel Brown on a five-yard scoring toss but the Dukes also missed their point after attempt.
Delaware then took a 13-6 lead into intermission when wide receiver Michael Johnson capped a 79-yard drive with a one-yard sweep with 2:27 left in the opening stanza.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, setting up a wild fourth quarter finish that still did not resolve matters.
Delaware's Garrett Greenway gave the Hens the 16-6 lead thanks to a 28-yard field goal with 8:09 left in the fourth quarter before Lee's three-yard scoring toss to DeAndre' Smith and Arnone's field goal knotted things at 16-16 with 2:55 left in regulation. Arnone's field goal was set up when Hurley was intercepted at the 45-yard line by Gage Steele.
"This is really something to build off for us," said Brock. "Our guys showed a lot of resolve today and they are really buying in to what we are doing. We are a young, blue collar team and we keep grinding. That's our story."
Delaware will return to action next Saturday when the Blue Hens start a three-game homestand vs. Sacred Heart at 3:30 p.m. at Delaware Stadium.
Hen Scratchings
• Delaware has won eight of its last nine games when coming off a bye week
• Delaware opened its 29th season of CAA play
• The Hens have now scored in 199 straight games vs. NCAA FCS opponents since 1996
• Johnson has now caught a pass in 27 straight games
• Hurley went over 5,000 career total offense yards for his career
• LB Patrick Callaway recorded a team-high 13 tackles while Mackall had 10 stops and DT Blaine Woodson had two sacks for the second straight game
• Delaware was playing with heavy hearts during a tough week. Sarita Wright, the wife of UD running backs coach Tony Lucas, passed away suddenly on Sunday.
