University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Towson (Homecoming)
Blue Hens Shut Down Towson, Gain First CAA Win with 20-6 Victory
10/29/2016 7:23:00 PM | Football
• Boxscore
NEWARK, Del. -- Thanks to a big rushing effort from sophomore running back Thomas Jefferson, two interceptions from senior safety Ryan Torzsa, and a little razzle dazzle, the University of Delaware football squad put an end to its historic losing streak with a 20-6 Colonial Athletic Association victory over an appreciative Homecoming crowd Saturday at Delaware Stadium.
With leading rusher Wes Hills out for the second straight game with an injury, Jefferson and senior 
running back Jalen Randolph (below left) led the way on the ground as Delaware piled up 243 yards rushing on the way to the victory.
The Blue Hen defense certainly did its part, holding the Tigers (1-7, 0-5 CAA) to just 206 total yards, forcing five turnovers, including four interceptions, and recording nine tackles for loss.
Towson suffered its sixth straight loss and failed to score a touchdown for the first time since midway through the 2014 season.
"I couldn't be more proud of any group of young men than I am now," said Dottin-Carter, who made his coaching debut last Saturday vs. Stony Brook. "They battled their butts of all week, prepared like champions, went out to win a game, and they got it. They earned what we got tonight. It was a heck of a job by the defense, taking what they gave us and getting the ball. We threw in some wrinkles this week and the guy took advantage of it. We did a great job running the ball."
Jefferson, the 2015 CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, carried 25 times for 141 yards and sealed the win with a 40-yard scoring jaunt up the middle with 8:15 left to close the scoring. He has now surpassed the 100-yard mark five times in his career and has run for 90 or more yards four times this season.
Randolph finished with 76 yards rushing and scored the Hens' first touchdown when wide receiver Diante Cherry took a quick pitch from quarterback Joe Walker, took a step back, and fired a perfect pass across the field right into the hands of a wide-open Randolph down the right sidelines for the 
score. That marked the second time the two have hooked up for a trick play touchdown as the two delivered on a 22-yard scoring play in the 2015 season opener vs. Jacksonville (Fla.).
“Any time you draw up a trick play and you practice it, you want to see it work,” said Dottin-Carter. “That gives you some juice. When you call the play in the huddle you can feel the energy. Obviously the result was a great one for us. We dialed it up at the right time.”
That touchdown gave Delaware a 7-3 lead with 4:01 left in the opening quarter and the Hens never trailed the rest of the day.
Defensively, Torzsa, a co-captain, picked off his first two passes of the season despite wearing a heavy cast on his hand due to an injury. Sophomore cornerback Nasir Adderley (below left) also picked off a pass, junior middle linebacker Charles Bell (above right) made 13 tackles and intercepted a pass, and sophomore linebacker Jasawn Thompson recorded two sacks to lead the defensive effort.
“It's kind of ironic, we were talking about it all week,” said Torzsa about snaring two interceptions with his heavy cast. “I haven't gotten much this season and everyone was giving me a hard time, telling 
me there was no way I would get one this week. I was dropping them horrendously in practice this week, couldn't catch it. It's kind of funny. The ball hasn't bounced our way these past couple of the weeks but I'm so proud of our guys the way they keep fighting and playing for pride.”
The 208 yards allowed was the best effort by the Hens since the Sept. 10 win over Lafayette and the five turnovers gained was the most since forcing six in the season-opening win over Delaware State on Sept. 1. Delaware has now forced 18 turnovers this season, including 13 interceptions, the highest total since the 2011 season when the Hens had 18 picks.
Also leading the Blue Hen effort was sophomore kicker Frank Raggo, who booted field goals of 30 and 33 yards to cap successful drives.
Towson starting quarterback Ellis Knudson was 6 of 11 for 83 yards but was relieved by Heath Dahlgren late in the first half. Dahlgren went 6 of 18 for 51 yards and threw three picks. Andre Dessenberg caught five passes for 40 yards and Christian Summers hauled in three passes for 63 yards but Towson managed just 72 yards on the ground.
Torzsa picked off Knudson on Towson's first drive of the day but the Hens could not take advantage. Neither team scored until O'Neill's 27-yard field goal with 9:50 left in the first half but the Hens came back with the Cherry-to-Randolph spectacular and Raggo's first field goal for a 10-3 halftime lead.
After Towson cut the Delaware lead to 10-6 on O'Neill's second field goal of the day, the Hens came right back with a 11-play drive that consumed 5:14 and ended with Raggo's second successful field goal for a 13-6 lead with 3:54 left in the third frame.
Delaware then sealed the deal with Jefferson took a handoff and rambled 40 yards up the middle for his fourth touchdown of the season.
HEN SCRATCHINGS
• Delaware snapped a two-game losing streak to Towson, winning for the first time since a 32-31 comeback win in 2013 and avenging a 19-0 shutout loss last season
• Delaware recorded its 150th all-time CAA victory to become the fifth team in league history to reach the milestone. Since joining the league which was then known as the Yankee Conference in 1986, the Hens are 150-96 (.610). Only former members Massachusetts and Connecticut and current members New Hampshire and Maine have more wins
• The Hens have won five of their last seven Homecoming games and are 45-17 (.726) all-time with the alumni back in town
• Delaware has now scored in 221 straight home games at Delaware Stadium since 1983 and in 123 straight home conference games since 1986
• Blue Hen sophomore linebacker Jasawn Thompson has just 12 tackles this season but five of them are quarterback sacks
• Bell has recorded 24 tackles in the last two games, six of them for loss
• Delaware will look to build a win streak next Saturday when the Hens travel to former Top 25 member Albany (5-3, 2-3 CAA) which defeated Elon 27-3 Saturday
• Baltimore Ravens quarterback, 2012 Super Bowl MVP, and 2007 Delaware All-American Joe Flacco was on hand to be honored for his induction into the UD Athletics Hall of Fame
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
