University of Delaware Athletics
2021 Football Highlights
12/22/2021 1:00:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team saw its 2021 season end on November 20. While the fall campaign did not go as planned, there were plenty of highlights along the way.
Record Performances…
Running back Dejoun Lee cemented his place in Delaware history as he continued to climb the program’s record books throughout the season. On October 9 at Rhode Island, he became the 17th player in school history to surpass 2,000 career rushing yards. He finished his career ranked eighth all-time with 2,447 rushing yards and eighth with 4,201 all-purpose yards.
In Delaware’s game at Richmond on November 9, Thyrick Pitts set new career highs with 11 catches for 169 yards. The 11 receptions were the most in a game since Jerel Harrison had 12 catches in 2013, and is tied for the ninth-most in a single game in UD history. His 169 receiving yards rank 14th in Blue Hen history and were the most in a game since Justin Long had 236 receiving yards in 2004.
Zach Gwynn was nearly perfect in Delaware’s 24-3 win over then-No. 20/23 William & Mary, completing 17-of-21 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. His 81-percent completion percentage was the sixth-best single-game performance in program history by a quarterback with a minimum of 15 completions.
Home Sweet Home…
The Blue Hens went 4-2 at Tubby Raymond Field this fall, marking the fifth-straight season they have finished with a winning record at home. Included in the home-field success was a convincing 24-3 victory over then-No. 20/23 William & Mary.
The Blue & Gold also had non-conference wins over Saint Francis (Pa.) and Dixie State, as well as a CAA victory over UAlbany over a sold-out crowd of 18,080 on Parents and Family Weekend.
And the Honors Go To…
The Blue Hens racked up the awards this season, pulling in a combined 19 in-season and postseason honors.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Delaware earned three CAA Player of the Week honors throughout the season, all coming from the special teams units. Against UAlbany, placekicker Ryan Coe kicked field goals from 44 and 21 yards and connected on both his PAT attempts to be named the Special Teams Player of the Week. Punter Tyler Pastula earned the same honor in consecutive weeks after victories over Dixie State and William & Mary. He averaged 43.3 yards per punt against the Trailblazers and followed that up with a 47.8 average against the Tribe.
All-CAA
Following the season, Delaware had 13 student-athletes earn All-CAA recognition, tying for the second-highest total in the conference. Three Blue Hens – David Kroll, Tyler Pastula and Kedrick Whitehead – earned first team honors, while a league-high six members of the Blue & Gold were placed on the second team. Additionally, four Blue Hens were selected to the third team. Of the 13 student-athletes named to All-CAA teams, nine of them earned their second postseason conference honor.
All-Americans
Two Blue Hens combined to earn three All-American nods. After being named a First Team All-American from three outlets in the spring, offensive lineman David Kroll was named to the HERO Sports 2021 FCS All-America Second Team, as well as the Stats Perform FCS All-America Third Team. Safety Kedrick Whitehead, who was also a First Team All-American in the spring, joined Kroll on the Stats Perform Third Team.
The votes are in! 1?3? Blue Hens have been named to the 2021 @CAAFootball All-Conference Teams!!
— Delaware Football (@DelawareFB) November 23, 2021
Release??https://t.co/ffA5FyBlhB#BlueHens | #BleedBlue302
Start of a New Chapter…
The next chapter of Delaware football officially began on Friday, December 10 when Ryan Carty was named the 25th head football coach in program history. A 2006 alum and member of the 2003 national championship team, Carty returns to Newark after spending the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Sam Houston State, where he helped lead the Bearkats to a national championship in the 2021 spring season.
Known for his explosive plays and high-energy offense, Carty was recognized for his offensive success in the spring when he was named the FCS Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop.com and to Dave Campbell's Texas Football's "Top 40 Coaches Under 40" list. Carty's offense helped lead Sam Houston State to a 34-11 record since 2018 and a 21-1 mark the past two seasons.
Carty is very familiar with the Colonial Athletic Association after an 11-year run on the New Hampshire coaching staff, including six years as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Wildcats qualified for the FCS playoffs in each of Carty's six seasons as offensive coordinator, compiling an 8-6 postseason record and reaching the semifinals in 2013 and 2014.
We are #proUD to announce our new head football coach, Ryan Carty! Welcome Home ??#BleedBlue302 I #BlueHens
— Delaware Football (@DelawareFB) December 10, 2021
Read More: https://t.co/i04rszovhm pic.twitter.com/YHVo8Qcrpg
What They're Saying…
"I couldn't be more excited for Ryan to be coming back to UD. He was a great teammate and has earned his opportunity to continue the proud tradition of Delaware Football as Head Coach. Ryan is a tireless worker, tremendous teacher, and dedicated student of the game. He's demonstrated unparalleled X's and O's acumen, yet also combines a rare ability to see the big picture without missing a single detail. I can't wait to watch the positive impact he and his staff have on our Delaware student-athletes and the entire campus community. Congrats Coach Carty and Go Hens!" - Joe Bleymaier '05, Wide Receiver Coach for the Kansas City Chiefs
Thank You Seniors…
Prior to the season finale against Villanova, the Blue Hens recognized the 13 student-athletes, and one student intern, who were participating in their final game in the Blue & Gold. The group - Grace Hildebrandt, Tyler Boyd, Frank Burton III, Gene Coleman II, Dae’lun Darien, Mickey Henry, Nijuel Hill, David Kroll, Dejoun Lee, D’juan Moore, Matt Palmer, Andrew Pawlowski, Ben Trent and Tommy Walsh – combined for eight All-CAA honors and multiple All-American selections.
Gallery: 2021 Football Senior Day
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFB and Instagram @DelawareFootball, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook. Follow Ryan Carty on Twitter @RyanCarty10.
For 2022 Season Ticket information, please click HERE.
