Blue Hens Win 3OT Thriller At URI, 44-36 For Program’s 700th Win

Saturday, September 7

Kingston, RI

7 p.m.

University of Delaware

2-0 , 1-0

Rhode Island

0-2 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Delaware

Rhode Island

Photo by: Mark Campbell

Blue Hens Win 3OT Thriller At URI, 44-36 For Program’s 700th Win

9/7/2019 11:00:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

KINGSTON, R.I. – Perhaps it was fitting that nearly 300 miles from home, with hundreds of fans who traveled countless hours to support their beloved Blue Hens, that the University of Delaware football program would pick up its 700^thwin in an absolute thriller at Rhode Island.

A historic second half from senior QB Pat Kehoe and countless displays of tenacity and grit led the Blue Hens to a 44-36 triple OT victory over the Rams to improve to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in league play.

"I'm really, really proud of this team and the way they battled all night long," head coach Danny Rocco said. "To see all those fans up in the stands and to have this team win #700 for the program, it means an awful lot and just a special, special night. It's truly a privilege and we are grateful to be able to represent this University and this football program."

Kehoe finished with a school-record tying five TD passes on 26-of-38 passing for 282 yards on the night. Classmate Andre Robinson ran for a career-high 111 yards on 20 carries and a TD, while Bryce De Maille (twice), Chichi Amachi, Will Knight and Owen Tyler all caught touchdowns in the victory.

Defensively, sophomore Johnny Buchanan had a career-high 12 tackles, while classmate Justis Henley had nine tackles, two pass break ups and the game-clinching interception in the third overtime period.

"It was an incredible game. An incredible feeling and one of the best nights I've ever had playing football," Henley said. "This is why we play the game. This is what you fight for every day. Nights like tonight."

The Rams had all the momentum in the first half, causing three turnovers and taking a 13-0 lead into halftime on a night where URI was celebrating the program's first-ever night game.

Momentum would start to turn when Kehoe found a sprinting Amachi for a 66-yard TD with 7:13 to play in the third quarter. After the defense held strong once again, Kehoe would once again lead the Blue Hens down the field, this time finding De Maille for a 21-yard pass and a 14-13 Delaware lead.

After both defenses would hold strong, URI's Aaron Parker would come up huge, helping the Rams grab the lead with a TD catch to make it a 19-14 contest.

With two huge plays by redshirt sophomore Nolan Henderson, Kehoe and the offense marched down the field and scored on Tyler TD catch and converted the 2-point conversion on the classic "Philly Special" from Pitts to Kehoe, something the New England based fans surely loved.

The Rams would respond by knocking down a 44-yard field goal to send the game into OT.

Back and forth in OT with Robinson and De Maille both finding pay dirt once again.

It was the third OT that saw Kehoe deliver a great pass to a streaking Knight, who scampered in for the 44-36 advantage.

URI would respond by marching to the 4-yard line, but on 4^thand goal, Henley would cut in front of a pass for his first career interception and sealed the win for the Blue Hens.

Up Next

The Blue Hens will host the defending national champions and #1 ranked North Dakota State at Delaware Stadium next Saturday, September 14^th. Game time is set for 1 p.m.