University of Delaware Athletics
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Delaware's Offense Stumbles at Towson, Blue Hens Fall 19-0
10/31/2015 5:25:00 PM | Football
• Boxscore
TOWSON, Md. -- Another solid defensive effort by the University of Delaware could not make up for a struggling offense Saturday afternoon as the Blue Hens suffered a 19-0 setback to host Towson in Colonial Athletic Association football action at Unitas Stadium.
Delaware (3-5, 2-3 CAA), coming off an inspired 31-14 victory over defending CAA champion New Hampshire a week ago, could not keep the momentum going as the Blue Hens managed just six first downs and 102 total yards in suffering their second shutout in three weeks.
Dave Brock, whose squad had a four-game winning streak at Towson snapped. "This is a difficult result. Offensively we weren't able to do
anything. Running or throwing it didn't matter and that is my responsibility. We need to create better opportunities for our players to be successful and we failed in that today. We are like a roller coaster and that's a bad way to play football, especially offensive football."
Towson managed only a single touchdown but kicker Sam Hurwitz connected on a career-high four field goals to pace the Tigers (5-3, 3-2 CAA), who won their third straight game.
Quarterback Connor Frazier hit on 25 of 34 passes for a career-high 284 yards and ran for 26 more, Christian Summers caught eight passes for 133 yards, and Marquel Dickerson rushed for 102 yards.
Delaware's defense had another solid effort despite being on the field for nearly 40 minutes. The unit allowed 410 total yards but just 126 came on the ground and the Blue Hens picked off two passes and had eight tackles for loss yardage.
"I was proud of the defense," said Brock. "They fought all day and battled like crazy. They allowed only one touchdown and gave us some chances with the turnovers. They got stops and forced field goals but they got no support offensively."
Defensive tackle Bilal Nichols and safety Simba Gwashavanhu each had an interception but the Hens couldn't take advantage either time. Cornerback Nasir Adderley and linebacker Charles Bell led Delaware with 11 tackles each.
Offensively for the Hens, running back Thomas Jefferson ran for 46 yards and quarterback Joe Walker (#3/above left) added 24 yards. Walker hit on just 3 of 9 passes for 14 yards and was intercepted in the final quarter to dash any comeback hopes.
After a scoreless first quarter, Towson took a 13-0 lead into halftime as Hurwitz kicked a 34-yard field on the Tigers' first drive of the day and Darius Victor scored on a one-yard dive with 5:35 left in the half to cap an 83-yard drive. Hurwitz kicked a 39-yarder on the final play of the first half.
The Tigers then built on the lead as Hurwitz converted on kicks from 27 yards late in the third quarter and from 39 yards with 4:10 left to play.
Delaware's numbers were among some historic lows. The Hens have now been shutout twice in the same season for the first time since the 1964 team was held scoreless three times. The 102 total yards was the sixth lowest in school history and fewest since 2008 while the 14 passing yards was ninth lowest in school history and fewest since 1994.
The Blue Hens had won four straight at Towson, including a wild 32-31 comeback victory in 2013 and a 35-30 win in 2011.
HEN SCRATCHINGS:
• Delaware was held without a point in the first half for the second time in the last three games but for just the third time in the last 80 games since 2009
• Gwashavanhu had an interception for the second straight game, marking the first time since 2011 that a UD player has picked off passes in consecutive games (Tim Breaker had interceptions in three straight games in 2011).
• Opponents are 16 of 18 on field goal tries this season, including 8 of 9 from 40 yards or more
• Delaware is 0-4 in road games this season and the Hens have lost five straight overall
• The Hens return home next Saturday to host Albany at Delaware Stadium for a 12 noon Homecoming kickoff
