University of Delaware Athletics
Saturday, March 6
Newark, Del.
12 p.m.
University of Delaware
1-0 , 1-0
37
vs
0
Maine
0-1 , 0-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
MAINE
0
0
0
0
0
DELAWARE
7
10
10
10
37
Photo by: Mark Campbell
Lee’s Opening Kickoff Return Sets Tone in Blue Hens' 37-0 Blanking of Maine
3/6/2021 5:29:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – It was 469 days since the University of Delaware football team took the field, and it only took 13 seconds for redshirt junior Dejoun Lee to take the opening kickoff back for a touchdown to set the tone in a 37-0 romping of Maine Saturday at Delaware Stadium to open the 2021 spring football season.
"We have a great appreciated for the commitment that has been made by the University, our president, our administration and our doctors and staff to get us to this point," said head coach Danny Rocco. "It's really a team effort and I talked to the team before the game and said, 'let's honor these people with our performance today and let's honor our teammates who have also sacrificed in a big way,' and I think we came out and did that today."
It marked the first time the Blue Hens returned the season-opening kickoff back for a touchdown since 1933 when Allen Kemske lateralled to Joe Green who took in 85 yards against the University of Baltimore.
The 87-yard return was the start of a 177-yard all-purpose day for Lee who picked up another 85 on the ground off 14 carries with a rushing score and a pair of catches for five yards.
Delaware's defense was dominant, forcing the Maine offense to nine three-and-outs, including six straight between the second and third quarters. The Black Bears compiled just 112 yards of total offense and Delaware had the time of possession advantage, holding the football for 38:14, the 12th longest time of possession in program history.
The 112 total yards given up is the lowest since 2011, when the Blue Hens also surrendered just 112 to Delaware State.
The Blue Hens took a 17-0 lead into the half after sophomore Ryan Coe connected on his first career field goal from 38 yards and redshirt junior Nolan Henderson hit senior Gene Coleman II up the left sideline for a 21-yard touchdown strike.
Coleman led all receivers with five grabs for 48 yards, and hit 50 catches for his career in Blue and Gold to make him just the 12th Blue Hen since 2010 to hit the mark.
Redshirt sophomore Liam Trainer and junior Johnny Buchanan were active all afternoon long for the Delaware defense, each with five tackles and Trainer picking up a stop in the backfield.
The Delaware special teams units played a major role, aside from the opening return, as Coe went 3-for-4 on a windy afternoon on field goals and the punt unit recovered a pair of muffed punts, including redshirt junior Jake Reed's recovering on the Maine 1-yardline to set up a Henderson rushing score.
The offense featured a balanced attack that saw 10 different Blue Hens carry the football and Henderson throw it at a 16-of-24 clip for 146 yards and a score. The offensive line allowed no sacks and paved the way for 224 rushing yards.
The win is Delaware's first season-opening shutout since the 2010 season, when the Blue Hens blanked West Chester, 31-0.
The Blue Hens stay right at home inside Delaware Stadium, hosting Stony Brook for a noon kickoff next week to continue CAA play.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFB and Instagram @DelawareFootball, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook.
Game Notes
- Delaware posted its first shutout since 37-0 win over Lafayette in 2018 (also last home shutout)
- Delaware shutout a CAA opponent for first time since William & Mary (17-0 in 2017)
- Delaware posted first shutout on opening day since 2010 (31-0 over West Chester)
- Delaware has now scored in 242 straight home games since 1983 and in 157 straight home conference game since 1964
- Dejoun Lee returned season opening kickoff for touchdown (only 2nd time that has been done in UD history and first since 1933 vs. U. of Baltimore). Delaware has returned a kickoff for a touchdown on opening day just 4 times (1933, 1999, 2000, 2020-21)
- 37-point win margin was highest on opening day since a 56-14 win over Delaware State in 2016
- 6 first downs by Maine is lowest total allowed since 6 by Albany in 2017 (8th lowest all time)
- 112 total yards by Maine is lowest total allowed since 112 by Delaware State in 2011
- 37- point win margin was largest in a conference game since 48 (48-0) vs. Towson in 2010
- 5 fumbles forced by Delaware were most since 6 vs. North Carolina in 2015
"We have a great appreciated for the commitment that has been made by the University, our president, our administration and our doctors and staff to get us to this point," said head coach Danny Rocco. "It's really a team effort and I talked to the team before the game and said, 'let's honor these people with our performance today and let's honor our teammates who have also sacrificed in a big way,' and I think we came out and did that today."
It marked the first time the Blue Hens returned the season-opening kickoff back for a touchdown since 1933 when Allen Kemske lateralled to Joe Green who took in 85 yards against the University of Baltimore.
The 87-yard return was the start of a 177-yard all-purpose day for Lee who picked up another 85 on the ground off 14 carries with a rushing score and a pair of catches for five yards.
Delaware's defense was dominant, forcing the Maine offense to nine three-and-outs, including six straight between the second and third quarters. The Black Bears compiled just 112 yards of total offense and Delaware had the time of possession advantage, holding the football for 38:14, the 12th longest time of possession in program history.
The 112 total yards given up is the lowest since 2011, when the Blue Hens also surrendered just 112 to Delaware State.
The Blue Hens took a 17-0 lead into the half after sophomore Ryan Coe connected on his first career field goal from 38 yards and redshirt junior Nolan Henderson hit senior Gene Coleman II up the left sideline for a 21-yard touchdown strike.
Coleman led all receivers with five grabs for 48 yards, and hit 50 catches for his career in Blue and Gold to make him just the 12th Blue Hen since 2010 to hit the mark.
Redshirt sophomore Liam Trainer and junior Johnny Buchanan were active all afternoon long for the Delaware defense, each with five tackles and Trainer picking up a stop in the backfield.
The Delaware special teams units played a major role, aside from the opening return, as Coe went 3-for-4 on a windy afternoon on field goals and the punt unit recovered a pair of muffed punts, including redshirt junior Jake Reed's recovering on the Maine 1-yardline to set up a Henderson rushing score.
The offense featured a balanced attack that saw 10 different Blue Hens carry the football and Henderson throw it at a 16-of-24 clip for 146 yards and a score. The offensive line allowed no sacks and paved the way for 224 rushing yards.
The win is Delaware's first season-opening shutout since the 2010 season, when the Blue Hens blanked West Chester, 31-0.
The Blue Hens stay right at home inside Delaware Stadium, hosting Stony Brook for a noon kickoff next week to continue CAA play.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFB and Instagram @DelawareFootball, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook.
Game Notes
- Delaware posted its first shutout since 37-0 win over Lafayette in 2018 (also last home shutout)
- Delaware shutout a CAA opponent for first time since William & Mary (17-0 in 2017)
- Delaware posted first shutout on opening day since 2010 (31-0 over West Chester)
- Delaware has now scored in 242 straight home games since 1983 and in 157 straight home conference game since 1964
- Dejoun Lee returned season opening kickoff for touchdown (only 2nd time that has been done in UD history and first since 1933 vs. U. of Baltimore). Delaware has returned a kickoff for a touchdown on opening day just 4 times (1933, 1999, 2000, 2020-21)
- 37-point win margin was highest on opening day since a 56-14 win over Delaware State in 2016
- 6 first downs by Maine is lowest total allowed since 6 by Albany in 2017 (8th lowest all time)
- 112 total yards by Maine is lowest total allowed since 112 by Delaware State in 2011
- 37- point win margin was largest in a conference game since 48 (48-0) vs. Towson in 2010
- 5 fumbles forced by Delaware were most since 6 vs. North Carolina in 2015
Team Stats
MAINE
DELAWARE
Total Yards
112
370
Pass Yards
61
146
Rushing Yards
51
224
Penalty Yards
71
48
1st Downs
6
21
3rd Downs
2
6
4th Downs
0
2
TOP
21:46
38:14
1st Quarter
MAINE 0, DELAWARE 7
DELAWARE - Dejoun Lee 87 yd kickoff return (Ryan Coe kick)
2nd Quarter
MAINE 0, DELAWARE 10
DELAWARE - Ryan Coe 38 yd field goal 8 plays, 30 yards, TOP 4:22
MAINE 0, DELAWARE 17
DELAWARE - Gene Coleman II 21 yd pass from Nolan Henderson (Ryan Coe kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:43
3rd Quarter
MAINE 0, DELAWARE 20
DELAWARE - Ryan Coe 45 yd field goal 7 plays, 18 yards, TOP 2:19
MAINE 0, DELAWARE 27
DELAWARE - Dejoun Lee 12 yd run (Ryan Coe kick), 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 5:00
4th Quarter
MAINE 0, DELAWARE 30
DELAWARE - Ryan Coe 33 yd field goal 7 plays, 19 yards, TOP 2:32
MAINE 0, DELAWARE 37
DELAWARE - Nolan Henderson 1 yd run (Ryan Coe kick), 1 plays, 1 yards, TOP 0:03
Game Leaders
CMP
16
TD
1
YDS
146
INT
1
CMP
0
TD
0
YDS
0
INT
0
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballQB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
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