University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Delaware State (Delaware Day/Youth Cheer Day)
Blue Hens Earn First State Cup Victory With 27-9 Win over Delaware State
9/7/2014 3:31:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware had to wait a day to earn its first victory of the season, but the delay was certainly worth it.
The annual First State Cup matchup between the Blue Hens (1-1) and Delaware State (0-2) was postponed due to heavy rains and lightning Saturday evening, so the two schools located just 45 minutes away hit the field Sunday afternoon with Delaware recording a 27-9 victory at sun-splashed Delaware Stadium.
Delaware sophomore running back Jalen Randolph earned the Nate Beasley Game Most Valuable Player Award after rushing for a season-high 118 yards and two touchdowns, senior quarterback Trent 
Hurley hit on 17 of 21 passes for 172 yards, and junior defensive tackle Vince Hollerman (at left) led the defensive effort with three sacks as the Blue Hens improved to 6-0 all-time in the series.
“We were excited to finally play the game and excited to get the win,” said Delaware head coach Dave Brock. “At this point, we need to play football games, get things on tape, and make corrections. There is an awful lot of things we need to correct as we move forward. We don't want to be a team that kicks field goals, but we did some good things and finished some drives. It felt like we were close a few times today but we need to be more consistent and more aggressive on offense. We are making strides. If we grind away one week at a time, we have the chance to be a pretty good football team when it matters most.”
The Blue Hens bounced back from a tough season-opening 62-0 loss at Pitt last week as they ran up 450 total yards, allowed just 325 total yards, and recorded four sacks. Senior Michael Johnson (below left) set up two scores with long kickoff returns, set two school records, caught seven passes for 67 yards, and finished with 186 all-purpose yards, while junior Garrett Greenway added his first two career field goals. Delaware jumped out to a 23-3 halftime lead and scored on five of its first seven possessions to win going away.
In addition to remaining perfect in the series with Delaware State, the Blue Hens also won their 10th 
straight home opener, captured their 21st straight non-league victory at home - all by double figures - and extended their scoring streak to 205 straight games at Delaware Stadium since 1983. The Hens had an overall 220-game scoring streak that dated back to 1996 snapped in the setback at Pitt.
Johnson, one of the top all-purpose threats in the country, returned two kickoffs for 84 yards with both leading to Delaware scores. In the process, he tied the school record for most career kickoff returns (72 by Eddie Conti in 1994-98) and set the all-time UD career kickoff return yardage mark with 1,689 yards, breaking the mark of 1,683 by Rashaad Woodard in 2003-06.
Johnson returned the opening kickoff 38 yards to set up a 72-yard scoring drive that was capped by a one-yard burst by sophomore Wes Hills just 3:53 into the game. After Delaware State answered with a 26-yard field goal by Mitchell Ward early in the second quarter, the Hens reeled off 13 straight points as Randolph scored from 20 yards out with 10:53 left to cap a short drive set up by Johnson's 46-yard return, and Greenway later converted field goals from 34 and 27 yards, the second one with just one second left in the half that gave UD a 20-3 advantage at the break.
Delaware never let the Hornets get back in the game in the second half as Randolph scored on a weaving 46-yard dash on the first drive of stanza to push the lead to 27-3. DSU managed to reach the end zone on a 14-yard run by Malcolm Williams with 5:16 left to play but couldn't get closer.
“It felt good,”said Randolph on his two-touchdown performance. “We just have to keep executing and getting better each week. We have to make sure that we are doing things the best that we can. They (the two touchdowns) were the same play and the blocking was great, not a lot I had to do. They were a little different from the runs I usually have, but you always have to be happy with a touchdown.”
HEN SCRATCHINGS:
• Blue Hens continue action at home next Saturday when they host Patriot League entry Colgate (0-1) for Band Day at Delaware Stadium at 6 p.m. The game is a rematch of the 2003 NCAA FCS national championship game won 40-0 by Delaware in Chattanooga, Tenn.
• True freshman Kareem Williams ran for 60 yards and Hills finished with 48 yards to help UD gain 278 total yards on the ground, the fourth highest single game total in two seasons under Brock
• Hollerman's career-high three sacks were the most by a UD player since Matt Marcorelle posted three vs. Towson in 2007
• Neither team committed a turnover and the game featured just six total penalties for 48 yards
• Williams finished with 100 yards rushing for Delaware State while Milton Williams caught four passes for 90 yards
• Delaware true freshman Donte Raymond recorded a team-high seven tackles in his first career start
• Delaware was playing on a Sunday for the first time since defeating Kent State 19-7 in the Refrigerator Bowl on Dec. 5, 1954
