University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mark Campbell
Blue Hens Come Up Just Short Against Villanova in Battle of the Blue
11/20/2021 5:34:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, DEL. – In what is becoming another tradition in the annual Battle of the Blue, the game came down to the waning moments, but the University of Delaware football team came up just short in a 21-13 defeat to No. 6/9 Villanova University on Saturday afternoon in a CAA matchup at Delaware Stadium. With the loss, the Blue Hens see their season come to an end at 5-6 overall and 3-5 in conference play.
Disappointing ending to a disappointing season," said head coach Danny Rocco. "It's a game of inches and that's where this thing ended up today. I feel really badly for our seniors, this group has done an awful lot for us and done an awful lot for our program. To be in this moment right now and feeling the way we feel, I just wish we could have come up with a better ending for our fans and our student-athletes."
It was the Blue Hens that drew first blood. After the defense forced a three-and-out on Villanova's first possession, Zach Gwynn connected with Gene Coleman II on a 41-yard deep ball to move Delaware across midfield. Ryan Coe capped the drive with a 37-yard field goal to grab a 3-0 lead.
The Wildcats responded with a 12-play drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown rush to put Villanova up 7-3.
The defenses put on a show over the next several possessions as Villanova came away with two interceptions, sandwiched around a pick by Justis Henley. The Blue Hens then forced a turnover on downs near midfield that led to a Delaware score. Gwynn hit Brett Buckman for a 30-yard catch-and-run and a pair of Marcus Yarns runs pushed UD into the red zone. Dejoun Lee then ran untouched up the middle for a 16-yard touchdown that put UD back in front with just over five minutes remaining in the half.
Delaware took that 10-7 lead into the locker room at halftime, and the score remained the same into the fourth quarter. First-down rushes by Anthony Paoletti eventually led to a 33-yard field goal from Coe that extended the lead to 13-7 with 12:19 remaining.
It only took Villanova two plays to respond as a 64-yard completion and one-yard rush put the Wildcats into the end zone to give them a 14-13 lead with 11:43 left. Completions of 41 and 21 yards set up another touchdown on Villanova's next drive to make it a 21-13 game.
The Blue Hens had two more chances, including when Noah Plack recovered a fumble and returned it to the 21-yard line with just 3:06 left. Rushes by Lee and Paoletti brought the ball down to the 2-yard line, but on fourth down, a short pass to Mateo Vandamia was stopped on the 1-yard line to give possession back to the Wildcats who ran out the rest of the clock.
Gwynn finished 14-of-27 passing for 143 yards, while Lee and Yarns led the ground attack with 54 and 41 yards, respectively. Gene Coleman II caught a team-high four passes for 60 yards.
Kedrick Whitehead led the defense with 12 tackles, his third game of the season reaching double figures. Johnny Buchanan also reached double digits for the third time, finishing the game with 11 tackles.
Prior to the game, the Blue Hens recognized the program's seniors in a Senior Day ceremony.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFB and Instagram @DelawareFootball, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook.
Gallery: (11-20-2021) Football vs. Villanova
Disappointing ending to a disappointing season," said head coach Danny Rocco. "It's a game of inches and that's where this thing ended up today. I feel really badly for our seniors, this group has done an awful lot for us and done an awful lot for our program. To be in this moment right now and feeling the way we feel, I just wish we could have come up with a better ending for our fans and our student-athletes."
It was the Blue Hens that drew first blood. After the defense forced a three-and-out on Villanova's first possession, Zach Gwynn connected with Gene Coleman II on a 41-yard deep ball to move Delaware across midfield. Ryan Coe capped the drive with a 37-yard field goal to grab a 3-0 lead.
The Wildcats responded with a 12-play drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown rush to put Villanova up 7-3.
The defenses put on a show over the next several possessions as Villanova came away with two interceptions, sandwiched around a pick by Justis Henley. The Blue Hens then forced a turnover on downs near midfield that led to a Delaware score. Gwynn hit Brett Buckman for a 30-yard catch-and-run and a pair of Marcus Yarns runs pushed UD into the red zone. Dejoun Lee then ran untouched up the middle for a 16-yard touchdown that put UD back in front with just over five minutes remaining in the half.
Delaware took that 10-7 lead into the locker room at halftime, and the score remained the same into the fourth quarter. First-down rushes by Anthony Paoletti eventually led to a 33-yard field goal from Coe that extended the lead to 13-7 with 12:19 remaining.
It only took Villanova two plays to respond as a 64-yard completion and one-yard rush put the Wildcats into the end zone to give them a 14-13 lead with 11:43 left. Completions of 41 and 21 yards set up another touchdown on Villanova's next drive to make it a 21-13 game.
The Blue Hens had two more chances, including when Noah Plack recovered a fumble and returned it to the 21-yard line with just 3:06 left. Rushes by Lee and Paoletti brought the ball down to the 2-yard line, but on fourth down, a short pass to Mateo Vandamia was stopped on the 1-yard line to give possession back to the Wildcats who ran out the rest of the clock.
Gwynn finished 14-of-27 passing for 143 yards, while Lee and Yarns led the ground attack with 54 and 41 yards, respectively. Gene Coleman II caught a team-high four passes for 60 yards.
Kedrick Whitehead led the defense with 12 tackles, his third game of the season reaching double figures. Johnny Buchanan also reached double digits for the third time, finishing the game with 11 tackles.
Prior to the game, the Blue Hens recognized the program's seniors in a Senior Day ceremony.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFB and Instagram @DelawareFootball, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook.
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