University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
4-0 , 1-0
Sacred Heart
2-3 , 0-0
Football Dominates Sacred Heart 49-0
9/28/2024 6:10:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team opened up a 35-0 halftime lead and dominated from start to finish in a 49-0 victory over Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon in front of a sold-out crowd of 19,054 fans at Delaware Stadium. With the win, the Blue Hens improve to 4-0 on the season, while the Pioneers fall to 2-3.
HENS HIGHLIGHTS
- Zach Marker completed 17-of-27 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
- Phil Lutz caught two passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.
- Caleb Fauria and Sean Wilson each caught their first collegiate touchdowns.
- Saeed St. Fleur and Quincy Watson each scored rushing touchdowns.
- The Blue Hens gained 414 total yards, including 239 through the air and 175 on the ground.
- Anthony Crenshaw led the defense with eight tackles while five different players registered a sack.
- UD's defense held Sacred Heart to 129 total yards and 51 rushing yards as the Pioneers came in averaging 205.5 rushing yards per game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After both teams went scoreless on their first possessions, Lutz caught a pass at the 36-yard line and broke a tackle before taking it to the house to give the Blue Hens a 7-0 lead.
- On Sacred Heart's next possession, Jason Scott stripped the ball from the quarterback for a sack. Ethan Saunders picked up the loose ball and returned it 20 yards for the score.
- St. Fleur opened the scoring in the second quarter with a four-yard run before Marker found Fauria in the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown.
- A Quincy Watson four-yard touchdown run gave UD a 35-0 lead at halftime as Nate Evans intercepted a pass in the final seconds before the break.
- Marker connected with Wilson for a four-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. It was Wilson's first collegiate catch and score.
- Later in the quarter, on his first career play, Braden Streeter hit Wilson with a perfect 27-yard touchdown pass to provide the final score.
GAME NOTES
- Delaware's shutout was the program's first since the season opener of the 2021 spring season when UD defeated Maine 37-0.
- The 129 total yards allowed on defense were the second fewest under defensive coordinator Manny Rojas, and the fewest since allowing 112 against Maine in the 2021 spring season.
- The 49-point margin of victory was UD's largest since 2000 when it defeated West Chester 84-0.
- Lutz now has a touchdown catch in each of the first four games this season, becoming the first Blue Hen to catch a touchdown in four-straight games since Vinny Papale and Charles Scarff did so in the same four games in 2018.
- Saunders' fumble return for a touchdown was UD's first defensive fumble return for a score since Colby Reeder did so against Richmond in 2018.
- Delaware's defense has now forced at least two turnovers in each of its first four games.
UP NEXT
The Blue Hens will step back into CAA play next weekend when they travel to Monmouth. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on FloFootball.
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Team Stats
SHU 0, DEL 7
DEL - Lutz,Phil 45 yd pass from Marker,Zach (Reed,Nate kick) 8 plays, 88 yards, TOP 02:56
SHU 0, DEL 14
DEL - Saunders,Ethan 20 yd fumble recovery (Reed,Nate kick)
SHU 0, DEL 21
DEL - St. Fleur,Saeed 4 yd run (Reed,Nate kick), 10 plays, 45 yards, TOP 04:08
SHU 0, DEL 28
DEL - Fauria,Caleb 7 yd pass from Marker,Zach (Reed,Nate kick) 9 plays, 44 yards, TOP 03:25
SHU 0, DEL 35
DEL - Watson,Quincy 4 yd run (Reed,Nate kick), 9 plays, 38 yards, TOP 03:13
SHU 0, DEL 42
DEL - Wilson,Sean 4 yd pass from Marker,Zach (Reed,Nate kick) 8 plays, 58 yards, TOP 04:09
SHU 0, DEL 49
DEL - Wilson,Sean 27 yd pass from Streeter,Braden (Sholder,Skyler kick) 1 plays, 27 yards, TOP 00:08
