University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Albany (Homecoming)
Mistakes Foil Blue Hens in 17-6 Homecoming Loss to Albany
11/7/2015 3:42:00 PM | Football
• Boxscore
NEWARK, Del. -- Too many miscues with the football and too many long runs undermined the University of Delaware football team Saturday at Delaware Stadium as the Blue Hens fumbled six times and managed just two field goals in suffering a 17-6 Colonial Athletic Association football loss to Albany on Homecoming.
Delaware (3-6, 2-4 CAA), which lost its second straight game and had a three-game home win streak snapped, lost three fumbles and managed just 224 total yards for the day. The Hens had their second highest passing yardage total of the season (103) but managed just 121 yards on the ground and averaged only three yards per carry.
Albany (3-6, 2-4 CAA), which had a four-game losing streak snapped and saw its six-game road losing streak come to end, got a big effort from backup quarterback DJ Crook who ran for 134 yards - including a key 63-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter to set up a score - and threw a touchdown pass to lead the Great Danes.
Running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks led Albany with 135 yards rushing as the Great Danes picked up 262 yards on the ground, the most piled up against a UD defense since the 2014 season 
opener. Delaware entered the game ranked No. 1 in the CAA in rushing defense, allowing just 106.6 yards per game.
Crook, the Albany starter for most of the season until giving way to Nevin Sussman in last week's 38-31 loss to No. 6 ranked Richmond, entered the game when Sussman was injured midway through the first quarter after being knocked down on a pass attempt.
Delaware, coming off a 19-0 setback at Towson last week, could not reach the end zone for the second straight week as the Blue Hens managed only field goals of 33 and 21 yards from Frank Raggo (#25 at left). Raggo's second field goal with 1:49 left in the third quarter gave Delaware a 6-3 lead but the Hens could not hang on.
The Great Danes went ahead for good when Cory Parker recovered a fumbled punt return by Diante Cherry in the end zone with 14 seconds left in the third quarter and added some insurance when Crook hit Brad Harris on a five-yard scoring strike early in the final stanza, just five plays after his career-long 63-yard run.
Dave BrockRedshirt freshman running back Thomas Jefferson (below right) led the Delaware running game with 57 yards while redshirt freshman quarterback Joe Walker hit on 7 of 10 passes for 52 yards 
before being relieved by junior Blake Rankin in the second half.
Rankin, seeing his first action since the season-opener, connected on 5 of 9 passes for 51 yards but could generate just one scoring drive.
Jalen KindleDelaware, which was thwarted in its attempt to win its 300th game all-time at Delaware Stadium, did extend its 33-year home scoring streak to 216 straight games but failed to score a touchdown at home for the first time since a 26-3 loss to Maine in 2012. The Hens have now been held without a touchdown in consecutive games for the first time since 1964.
Both Raggo and Albany kicker Patrick Toole missed field goal attempts in the opening quarter but both redeemed themselves in the second stanza with Toole hitting from 28 yards out with 3:01 left and Raggo sending the game tied at 3-3 heading into halftime with his 33-yard kick just seconds before the break.
Rankin entered the game on Delaware's third possession of the second half and guided the Hens on a 10-play, 48-yard drive that resulted in Raggo's 21-yard field goal that gave UD a 6-3 lead.
But Albany went ahead for good on its next possession when it took advantage of a crucial Delaware error on special teams. Delaware forced Albany to punt from its own 45-yard line and Cherry settled under Jon Martin's punt at the five yard line.
Cherry called for the fair catch but he fumbled the kick and the ball went backwards into the end zone where Parker recovered for the go-head touchdown and a 10-6 lead with 14 seconds left in the third quarter.
"That was a critical mistake in the punt return game," said Brock. "We had just made a (defensive) stop so that really hurt us."
The Hens failed to mount a rally in its next possession and Albany took over and drove 86 yards 
for a score to go up 17-6 with 10:23 left to play. Crook runs of 63 and 11 yards set up his five-yard scoring pass to Brad Harris.
Delaware was forced to punt on its next two possessions and fumbled the ball away on its third try when Cherry was hit and fumbled after a 14-yard pickup with 4:16 left and Albany's Neil Morrison recovered.
HEN SCRATCHINGS:
• The Blue Hens will close out the home slate next Saturday when Delaware hosts No. 14 James Madison at 3:30 p.m.
• Albany, which entered the game ranked last in the CAA in total defense (428.8 yards per game) and scoring defense (33.1 points per game) came up with season-best performances in both categories
• Delaware freshman Ray Jones (at left) returned the second half kickoff 50 yards, his longest return of the season. He also had a 38-yard return in the first half.
• Delaware has now been held without a touchdown over the last 123 minutes of game action
• Raggo now has 10 field goals on the season, extending his school freshman record
• Delaware has still won four of its last six Homecoming games, including a 33-30 win over Albany in 2013
