Lee Runs Wild to Lift #11 Blue Hens Over #18 URI, 35-21

Saturday, March 27

Kingston, RI

12 p.m.

University of Delaware

3-0 , 3-0

#18 Rhode Island

2-1 , 2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

DELAWARE

Rhode Island

Photo by: Drew Adames

Lee Runs Wild to Lift #11 Blue Hens Over #18 URI, 35-21

3/27/2021 4:55:00 PM | Football

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. – Redshirt senior Dejoun Lee ran for 221 yards and the No. 11 University of Delaware football team racked up 551 yards of total offense to take down No. 18 Rhode Island, 35-21, Saturday afternoon at Meade Stadium.

"We're certainly excited and happy to come out of here with a win against a competitive team that was off to a good start," said head coach Danny Rocco. "I thought the best way to go after them was to run the ball and Dejoun and Khory (Spruill) did their part and the offensive line really paved the way."

Lee put together a day of 22 carries for a career-high 221 yards, third-most in a single game in the FCS this season, and two scores, including touchdowns of 74 and 35 yards. It is the first time since 2016, when Wes Hills ran for 242 against Maine, that a Blue Hen rushed for over 200 yards in a game and the most total yards of offense since 2010 against Towson. It marks the 15th time in program history a Blue Hen has rushed for 200-plus yards in a single game and Lee is the eighth player to do so.

The Blue Hens (3-0, 3-0 CAA) set the tone early as junior Kedrick Whitehead forced and recovered a fumble on a completed pass to set up the offense in Rhode Island (2-1, 2-1 CAA) territory. Delaware was faced with an early decision on a fourth-down play early, and the gamble payed off when Lee broke free on fourth-and-1 to go 35 yards for the first score of the day.

It took 142 defensive plays, but the Delaware defense finally surrendered a touchdown in 2021 as Rhode Island was able to tie things at 7-7, late in the first quarter.

The Blue Hens broke the tie late in the second quarter after putting together a 12-play, 6:18 drive that included eight run plays, capped-off by the 1-yard touchdown by redshirt sophomore Anthony Paoletti to make it 14-7 heading into the half.

The offense was clicking again to open the second half, converting on the Blue Hens' third fourth-down play of the afternoon, and second fourth-down touchdown of the game when redshirt junior Nolan Henderson rolled out and hit junior Bryce De Maille who made a juggling catch and run for a 22-yard score.

Henderson was 17-of-22 for 190 yards and two touchdowns while De Maille hauled in three catches for 39 yards.

The defense forced another quick Rhode Island Punt and Henderson connected with junior Thyrick Pitts for a 37-yard gain on third-and-3 to eventually set up a four-yard touchdown pass for the same duo to make it 28-7 late in the third quarter.

Pitts has now caught a pass in 15-straight contests, grabbing four for 64 yards on the afternoon. Redshirt junior Khory Spruill also had a big day rushing with 15 carries and a career-high 88 yards, including a run of 51 yards.

The Rams did not go away, immediately responding with a 62-yard pass to set up a one-yard touchdown run to get back into the game before the end of the third quarter. It was Lee responding with another huge play as the offensive line opened up a hole for Lee to go untouched, 74 yards for the score.

The defense did it again on the next Rhode Island possession as redshirt sophomore Joe Zubillaga intercepted his second pass in as many weeks for the exclamation point.

The Blue Hens picked up 27 first downs and ran 80 plays, controlling the ball for 41:34, the second-longest in a single game in program history.

Defensively, junior Johnny Buchanan led the way with five tackles, while Whitehead had four stops, including a tackle for loss, and sophomore Chase McGowan had four takcles, all for a loss, with three sacks.

The Blue Hens return home next weekend, hosting UAlbany for a noon kickoff at Delaware Stadium. Ticket information can be found here.

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