Blue Hens’ Defense Dominant in 31-3 Victory Over Stony Brook
March 14, 2021
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware defense created five turnovers and the Blue Hens scored 28-unanswered points Saturday afternoon to move to 2-0 after topping Stony Brook, 31-3, at Delaware Stadium.
“I’m very pleased with the result, it’s two weeks in-a-row that our defense played really well, with a lot of passion, very physical and played smart,” said head coach Danny Rocco. “Offensively, we flashed some moments today, but we are going to have to play better and we’re going to have to continue to do the things that help you win football games.”
The Blue Hens have yet to allow a touchdown this season, marking the first time they’ve kept opponents out of the end zone in the season’s first two games since 2010.
That defense was all over the football all afternoon long, forcing Stony Brook into four fumbles, taking away three, and two interceptions. Redshirt senior Dae’Lun Darien had two of those takeaways, a fumble recovery and an interception on two-straight defensive plays.
Delaware got two touchdowns from do-it-all redshirt freshman Mateo Vandamia, who caught a pass for the Blue Hens’ first touchdown of the game and scooped up a Delaware fumble and ran it in from 21-yards out.
Redshirt junior Nolan Henderson went 18-for-27 for 215 yards and three touchdowns, spreading it out to redshirt junior Thyrick Pittswho matched a career high with six grabs for 95 yards and senior Gene Coleman II who hauled in six catches for 65 yards.
Senior Andrew Pawlowski led the defensive efforts with a career-high nine tackles and redshirt sophomore Matt Palmer followed with seven stops and a sack.
It was a slow offensive start as team’s traded field goals in the first quarter before Henderson hit a wide open Vandamia for a 21-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.
The Delaware defense did its part, forcing Stony Brook to a three-and-out to get the Blue Hens the ball back. Redshirt senior Dejoun Leebroke off a 16-yard run down to the 1-yard line to set up a Bryce De Maille rushing touchdown on his first career carry.
It was the defense again making a huge play as redshirt freshman Nick Coomer recovered a fumble before the defense forced the Seawolves to a turnover on downs on the next possession, right before the half.
The teams traded empty possessions in the third, before Henderson hit an open Coleman who made a move and fumbled the ball, but Vandamia was in the right place at the right time and scooped it up en route to the end zone.
Henderson matched his career high in touchdown passes when he hit Pitts in the back of the end zone from 21-yards out, making an acrobatic catch and falling to the turf. Redshirt sophomore Joe Zubillaga quickly gave Delaware possession back, intercepting his first career pass on the next Stony Brook possession.
Sophomore Chase McGowan and Jordan Morris made it four-straight Seawolves’ possessions with a turnover when Morris forced it out of the Stony Brook quarterback’s hands and into the hands of McGowan who ran it 27-yards before being chased down.
The Blue Hens will have their first road test next week when they travel to face New Hampshire at Wildcat Stadium.
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