Blue Hens Notch 34-24 Season Opening Win at Maine

Thursday, September 2

Orono, ME

7 p.m.

University of Delaware

1-0 , 1-0

Maine

0-1 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Delaware

Maine

9/2/2021 11:00:00 PM | Football

Box Score

ORONO, Maine – The Delaware (1-0, 1-0 CAA) football team jumped out to a 17-0 lead at Maine (0-1, 0-1 CAA) to start the game. After a 24-0 run by Maine in response, the Blue Hens settled down, kept their eyes on the prize, and pulled away with a 34-24 victory to open 2021 fall play.

"Having 24 unanswered points on you is a bad place to be," said head coach Danny Rocco. "We came out of the locker room and remained positive. Gene (Coleman) made some big plays in the second half, Thyrick (Pitts) had that huge breakaway, and our defense really played well in the second half. We were opportunistic and found a way to win the game. Our coaches did a phenomenal job this week preparing us."

Football in September is back and it was a great feeling for Blue Hen fans that made the trip to Orono and for the ones watching across the nation.

Six minutes into the game, quarterback Nolan Henderson saw a wide open gap through the middle as he crossed into the end zone untouched for the 15-yard score. The TD gave the Blue Hens a 7-0 advantage after a made PAT by Ryan Coe at the 9:10 mark on the clock.

With eight first downs and 121 yards to the Black Bears' 20 yards of offense, Delaware carried a seven-point lead into the second quarter.

Ryan Coe nailed a 33-yard field goal – his first attempt of the season – to extend Delaware's lead to 10-0. The Blue Hens added a 55-yard touchdown pass from Henderson to Gene Coleman II down the left field sideline to begin the game rather smoothly.

The momentum then shifted to the home team as they rattled off 24 unanswered points to take a 24-17 lead into the locker room.

The break in play led to the Blue Hens keeping their composure and adding 10 points in the third quarter, which included a 66-yard touchdown pass from Henderson to Pitts, as the wide receiver shook off the Maine defense and eased his way into the end zone.

Khory Spruill's two-yard touchdown run in the middle of the fourth quarter was the sprinkle on the cake, as the Blue Hens began to decorate the stat sheet with multiple offensive threats.

Colby Reeder added the candles to the cake with a nine-yard interception with six minutes remaining in the game. The Blue Hens lit up the scoreboard and the field as they blew out the candles with their cheers from the sideline as the clock hit zero at Alfond Stadium knowing that they shut out the Black Bears in the second half.

"We made our adjustments," said Reeder. "A lot was attributed to us focusing in on what we do. At the half, we took a step back and focused on what we do well in practice, made small adjustments."

Reeder and Nic Ware accounted for one interception each. Both Reeder and Andrew Pawlowski led the defense with seven tackles, while Nijuel Hill forced a fumble and had four tackles.

Henderson completed 14 of 29 passes to finish with 262 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. Coleman registered 120 receiving yards on five catches, while Pitts tallied 116 yards on five receptions. It was the first time since 2009 that two Blue Hens had 100-plus receiving yards in the same game.

Tonight marked the 33^rd meeting between Delaware and Maine, and the first time the two teams had played in Orono since 2013.

The Blue Hens return to Newark next week to host St. Francis on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. Delaware's home opener will be appreciation days for all first responders and UD Faculty and Staff. Fans can purchase tickets to the game by clicking here.

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