University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
2-0 , 0-0
Delaware State
1-1 , 0-0
Second Half Push Moves Blue Hens Past Delaware State 35-9
9/10/2022 11:26:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team won its Route 1 Rivalry matchup against in-state foe Delaware State, 35-9, as 17,176 fans piled into Delaware Stadium. It was the fourth-straight home-opening win for the Blue Hens, as they racked up 400 yards in the victory.
Nolan Henderson completed 21-of-36 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Thyrick Pitts led all receivers with 94 yards on seven catches with a long of 31 while Braden Brose hauled in two touchdown receptions. Marcus Yarns registered 99 yards on the ground on four attempts to lead the Delaware run game.
Johnny Buchanan led the Delaware defense for the second-straight week with 15 tackles while Liam Trainer added eight.
Delaware State took a 3-0 lead on its opening drive as it went nine plays before connecting on a 54-yard field goal with just over five minutes gone in the game.
After a UD possession, Ben Dinkel pinned the Hornets on its own 1-yard line before a quick three-and-out by the defense forced a Delaware State punt from its own end zone. Trey Austin broke through the line and blocked the kick with his body as Quincy Watson fell on the loose ball for the touchdown.
The Blue Hens closed out the first quarter on a long drive as they controlled the final 11 plays to bring the ball down to the 18-yard line. On the first play of the second quarter, Henderson found Pitts from the 18-yard line and he out-battled his defender for a touchdown catch as he tiptoed the sideline to give Delaware the 14-3 lead with 14:53 left on the clock.
Both teams missed chances to add on points as the score remained the same at halftime.
Noah Plack forced a fumble on Delaware State's first drive of the second half that Kedrick Whitehead picked up and returned deep into DSU territory. On a fourth-down play from the 7-yard line, Henderson found Brose in the back corner of the end zone to make it a 21-3 game with four minutes to go in the third quarter.
After another quick three-and-out from the defense, Yarns found a hole in the middle of the defense and out-raced everyone for an 82-yard score with 57 seconds left in the third quarter. Garrett Bennion's PAT gave the Blue Hens a 25-point lead heading into the final quarter.
The Hornets scored their lone touchdown of the game to trim Delaware's lead to 28-9 with 14:14 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Blue Hens would answer back as Brose tacked on his second touchdown of the game when he scored on a 27-yard catch with 4:51 left on the clock for the final score of the game.
The Blue Hen defense made big stops in the final minute of the game, stopping Delaware State four times in the red zone to keep the Hornets at bay and out of the end zone.
Notes
Yarns' 82-yard run is tied for the ninth-longest in program history and is the longest by a Blue Hen since Kareem Williams ran 84 yards against New Hampshire in 2015.
Up Next
Delaware will head back out on the road as the squad opens CAA play at Rhode Island on Saturday, September 17. Kickoff in The Ocean State is set for 1 p.m.
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.
Team Stats
DSU 3, DEL 0
DSU - Cardoza-Chicas,Jonathan 54 yd field goal 9 plays, 33 yards, TOP 05:11
DSU 3, DEL 7
DEL - Watson,Quincy 0 yd punt return (Ratcliffe,Brandon kick)
DSU 3, DEL 14
DEL - Pitts,Thyrick 18 yd pass from Henderson,Nolan (Ratcliffe,Brandon kick) 11 plays, 70 yards, TOP 04:05
DSU 3, DEL 21
DEL - Brose,Braden 7 yd pass from Henderson,Nolan (Bennion,Garrett kick) 4 plays, 11 yards, TOP 01:44
DSU 3, DEL 28
DEL - Yarns,Marcus 82 yd run (Bennion,Garrett kick), 2 plays, 87 yards, TOP 00:43
DSU 9, DEL 28
DSU - Smith,Rahkeem 57 yd pass from Lewis,Jared () 5 plays, 78 yards, TOP 01:36
DSU 9, DEL 35
DEL - Brose,Braden 27 yd pass from Henderson,Nolan (Bennion,Garrett kick) 3 plays, 39 yards, TOP 01:11
