No. 5/6 Football Falls to Elon 33-27

Saturday, November 4

Newark, Del.

1 PM

University of Delaware

7-2 , 5-1

Elon

5-4 , 5-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Elon

Delaware

Photo by: Gavin Bethell

11/4/2023 6:30:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

NEWARK, Del. – The No. 5/6 University of Delaware football team fought back late but could not complete the comeback, falling 33-27 to Elon in a CAA matchup in front of 16,722 fans at Delaware Stadium. With the setback, the Blue Hens slipped to 7-2 on the season and 5-1 in conference play, while the Phoenix improved to 5-4 overall and 5-1 in league action.

HENS HIGHLIGHTS

Ryan O'Connor passed for 315 yards and a touchdown, while also running for his first-career score
Joshua Youngblood caught seven passes for a game-high 121 yards and a touchdown.
Marcus Yarns rushed for a team-high 45 yards and a touchdown.
JoJo Bermudez accounted for 155 all-purpose yards, including 103 yards on kickoff returns, and scored a rushing touchdown.
Jackson Taylor led the defense with 13 tackles while Melkart Abou-Jaoude had 3.0 of Delaware's 13 TFLs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Following a fumble on the opening kickoff, Delaware's defense held strong on a short field to hold Elon to a 36-yard field goal.
Midway through the first quarter, O'Connor dropped a 39-yard touchdown pass over a defender into the arms of Youngblood to give UD a 7-3 lead.
Just seconds before the end of the opening frame, Elon connected a 65-yard scoring pass to retake the lead.
Another long pass to Youngblood, this one for 49 yards, set up an eight-yard scoring run by Yarns that put the Blue Hens up 13-10 just three plays into the second quarter.
Another long touchdown reception and a 42-yard field goal gave Elon a 20-13 lead at halftime.
Elon opened the second half with a quick, four-play drive that resulted in another touchdown to extend its lead to 27-13.
The Blue Hens responded with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that took more than five minutes. Bermudez capped the drive as he took an end-around run for 22 yards, just tucking it inside the pylon to make it a 27-20 game.
Two fourth-quarter field goals extended Elon's lead to 33-20.
Jourdan Townsend returned a punt to midfield that set up a quick Delaware scoring drive as O'Connor eventually ran it in from four yards out to make it a 33-27 game with 3:27 remaining.
The defense forced a quick three-and-out to get the ball back to the offense with 2:55 remaining. Passes to Kyron Cumby and Youngblood moved the ball into the red zone. However, a fumble was recovered by Elon to put an end to the comeback.

GAME NOTES

Yarns' second-quarter touchdown run was his 14th rushing score of the season, tying him for 10th for a single season in program history. He is tied with Omar Cuff (2005) and Andrew Pierce (2007).

UP NEXT
The Blue Hens will head out for their final road game of the regular season when they travel to Campbell on Saturday, November 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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