Blue Hens Clinch CAA Title with 27-20 Battle of the Blue Victory

Saturday, April 17

Villanova, PA

1 p.m.

University of Delaware

5-0 , 4-0

#10 Villanova

2-2 , 2-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Delaware

Villanova

Photo by: Mark Campbell

Blue Hens Clinch CAA Title with 27-20 Battle of the Blue Victory

4/17/2021 5:20:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

VILLANOVA, Pa. – The No. 7 University of Delaware football team completed its undefeated regular season and claimed the CAA North division title with a 27-20 victory over No. 10 Villanova Saturday afternoon.

"I'm really proud of our team today, they played with a lot of pride and showed a lot of resiliency," said head coach Danny Rocco. "Today's a really big celebration for our team and our program and we are excited to keep this season going."

Redshirt junior Nolan Henderson was efficient all afternoon, going 20-of-24 for a career-high 270 yards and two touchdowns while junior Thyrick Pitts went over the century mark and over 1,000 career receiving yards with five catches for 104 yards.

Redshirt senior Nijuel Hill clinched the game with an interception in the game's final minute.

It was a tight, defensive battle early, with the Blue Hens only able to put a field goal on the board in the first quarter after a sophomore Chase McGowan sack put an end to Villanova's opening possession.

Henderson connected with Pitts on a diving, deep strike early in the second quarter for 33 yards to help set up another sophomore Ryan Coe field goal.

Delaware faced its first deficit of the year, as the Wildcats drove down the field and found the end zone on their next possession to make it 7-6. The teams traded empty possessions before the Blue Hens took over with just a minute remaining in the half when Henderson's deep ball to sophomore Jourdan Townsend put Delaware up, 13-7 just before the half.

A Villanova field goal opened the scoring in the second half midway through the third quarter. Delaware followed that drive with a nine-play, 39-yard, nearly five-minute one of its own that was capped off with a touchdown catch by junior Bryce De Maille in the corner of the end zone.

The fourth quarter opened with another Villanova field goal before Henderson and Pitts connected again for 45 yards to get the Blue Hens down to the three-yard line to set up a redshirt-junior Khory Spruill touchdown rush.

The Wildcats would not go away, piecing together an 11-play drive that ate up five minutes of clock that was capped off by a wild touchdown pass to make it a one score game again at 27-20.

Delaware did what it had to do down the stretch, running clock and creating the turnover to get the first win in the Battle of the Blue since 2011 and clinch the program's first conference championship since 2010.

Defensively, redshirt sophomore Noah Plack led the way with seven tackles while classmate Liam Tranier and junior Johnny Buchanan each had six, including a tackle for loss for Buchanan.

Senior Gene Coleman II had seven grabs for 78 yards while Townsend had three catches for 48 yards and a score. Spruill ran the ball eight times for 38 yards and a touchdown and redshirt senior Dejoun Lee had 48 yards on 19 carries.

The FCS Playoffs selection show will air Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on ESPNU where the Blue Hens will find out their fate for the postseason. Delaware is anticipating an opening round game at Delaware Stadium and fans looking for ticket information can visit the ticketing information central page.

For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFB and Instagram @DelawareFootball, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook.