It ended up being a Delaware runaway, as its games against Delaware State typically are.
But in securing its 11th win in as many tries in the series between the state’s two FCS programs, Delaware kept a large crowd captivated before pulling away in the second half for a 35-9 win.
In its first home game under coach Ryan Carty, the ex-UD quarterback, 10th-ranked Delaware improved to 2-0 in front of 17,176.
That included a huge student turnout, which helped create a festive atmosphere that the Blue Hens hope to recreate in subsequent weeks. Carty’s take on that begins our five takeaways from the Delaware-Delaware State game.
Homecoming game
Carty had coached in two games at Delaware Stadium as a New Hampshire assistant, both wins by Delaware – in the 2010 NCAA playoffs and the 2015 regular season.
Back on his alma mater’s side Saturday, Carty relished the stirring environment that came with the Blue Hens’ home opener. He’d just like to see it repeated, knowing how well his football team performs has a lot to do with that.
“It was very special,” Carty said. “I can’t thank the community enough for making me feel welcome. The atmosphere was great. Hopefully, we continue having those atmospheres.
“I think if that place becomes what we want it to become, it’s gonna be really hard for somebody to come in here and get a ‘W.’ And that’s really what we need. Great teams win at home and we want to be great. I think we can be. But right now, all we are is 2-0.”
Target man
Thyrick Pitts was a popular target Saturday night for quarterback Nolan Henderson, for good reason.
“He’s really good,” Carty said of the first reason why Delaware looks for the sure-handed 6-3, 205-pound sixth-year wideout.
Henderson completed 21 of 36 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Delaware State. Pitts was the target on one-third of those throws, catching seven for 94 yards and the first Delaware touchdown.
It was an 18-yard pass where Pitts turned around almost at the last second but secured the catch on the left edge of the end zone.
Pitts earned the Nate Beasley Award as game MVP, as he did in the 2019 game here.
Carty said that it’s unusual for one receiver to be the focus of his offense, which prefers to spread the ball around. But the combination of Pitts’ reliability, his comfort level with Henderson and DSU’s defensive approach made him the go-to-guy.
“He happened to be the one who was in a lot of those one-one-one situations,” Carty said, “and we trust him to win those.”
Stat men
Linebacker Johnny Buchanan followed his 23-tackle effort at Navy, which tied the school record, with 15 against Delaware State.
Marcus Yarns’ 82-yard touchdown dashed keyed his 99-yard rushing night, which required just four carries.
“We’re gonna win or lose if we have explosive plays . . . that’s who we’re gonna be,” Carty said.
Delaware State did have eight tackles for lost yardage, with four sacks, a week after Navy had 12 TFLs against Delaware.
Carty did feel the offensive line showed improvement after the Navy game, as Delaware’s 160 rushing yards, after having just 13 at Navy, were a positive sign.
Kicking carousel
Brandon Ratcliffe kicked Delaware’s first two extra points Saturday, then missed a 39-yard field goal try. He also missed a longer try at Navy.
In the second half, Delaware went to freshman Garrett Bennion, who kicked three extra points.
Delaware went for it unsuccessfully on fourth-and-9 at the DSU 24 early in the second quarter, which may have been more due to its aggressive offensive approach than its kicking situation.
Delaware used all three of its kickers on kick-offs – Ratcliffe three times, Bennion twice and fellow freshman Andrew MacMillan once, with MacMillan’s 64-yard average superior.
Ben Dinkel had another solid game, punting three times for a 42.3-yard average with a longest of 57 yards that was downed at the DSU 1 by Buchanan. That led to Trey Austin blocking a punt that Quincy Watson recovered for Delaware’s first touchdown.
Tough opener
Delaware visits Rhode Island – for the fourth straight season – in its CAA opener Saturday at 1 p.m. A loss there last year started Delaware on its 2-5 skid to close the season.
The 22nd-ranked Rams are 2-0 after wins over Stony Brook 35-14 and Bryant 35-21.
“It’s gonna be a great game,” said Carty, adding the Hens will have to start with a superb practice Tuesday. “It’s gonna be another environment that we have to go into and we have to travel well and we have to go prepare well and I have no doubt that we will.”
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