University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Hampton
Football Preview: Hampton
9/22/2022 10:58:00 AM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team opens a two-game homestand on Saturday evening as the Blue Hens welcome CAA-newcomer Hampton to Delaware Stadium in what will be the first-ever matchup between the two programs. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on FloFootball.
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Game Notes: Delaware
About the Blue Hens
- Delaware is coming off a decisive 42-21 road victory over then-No. 17-14 Rhode Island on Saturday to open CAA play. With the win in the top-25 showdown, and the program's 3-0 start to the season, the Blue Hens moved up to No. 8 in both the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the AFCA Coaches Poll.
- Against the Rams, the Blue Hens finished with 610 yards of total offense, the program's most since the 2013 season opener. Nolan Henderson finished 29-of-34 passing for 379 yards and four touchdowns. He spread the ball around with 10 different receivers, including finding Jourdan Townsend seven times for 109 yards and a pair of scores. Delaware also ran for 231 yards on the ground.
- Henderson established career highs in completions (29), passing yards (379) and touchdown passes (4), all of which he had set by halftime. His 85.3 completion percentage is good for fifth all-time in the UD record books for a single game. The 379 passing yards also rank seventh and the 29 completions are tied for 12th. Henderson's 315 passing yards is the second-most passing yards in a single half behind only Matt Nagy's 358 yards in the first half against UConn in 1998.
- For his performance, Henderson was named the CAA Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career. He also garnered national recognition as he was selected as the FedEx Ground FCS National Offensive Player of the Week by Stats Perform as well as the CFPA FCS National Co-Performer of the Week.
- Henderson has passed for 808 yards and nine touchdowns through UD's first three games. Thyrick Pitts has caught 15 passes for 182 yards and two scores. Townsend also has 14 catches for 138 yards while Braden Brose has caught three touchdown passes. Three Blue Hens – Marcus Yarns, Kryon Cumby and Quincy Watson – have all rushed for more than 100 yards on the season.
- Defensively, Johnny Buchanan leads the CAA with 42 tackles, while Noah Plack and Liam Trainer are also among the conference leaders with 26 and 24 tackles, respectively.
Scouting Hampton
- Hampton is 3-0 on the season and off to its best start since 2007 with wins over Howard (31-28), Tuskegee (42-10) and Norfolk State (17-7). The Pirates are receiving votes in the national AFCA Coaches Poll.
- Saturday will be Hampton's first-ever CAA football contest as it is the school's first year in the conference.
- Through three games, the Pirates are averaging 30.0 ppg and 381.3 ypg on offense, while allowing just 15.0 ppg and less than 300 ypg to its opponents.
- Malcolm Mays and Christopher Zellous share the quarterback duties. Mays has thrown for 486 yards and five touchdowns in three games, while also throwing five interceptions. Zellous averages 51.0 yards passing and 37.3 yards rushing per game and has accounted for three touchdowns.
- Jadakis Bonds has caught 12 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns while Romon Copeland is right behind him iwth 13 catches for 213 yards
Up Next
The No. 8/8 Blue Hens will remain home on Saturday, October 1 when the team welcomes longtime CAA rival Towson to Delaware Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The game is part of Delaware's Parents and Family Weekend and the game is officially sold out.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_FB and Instagram @delaware_fb, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook. Follow Ryan Carty on Twitter @RyanCarty10.
