Late Strike Lifts Delaware Past UConn, 27–17, as Hens Improve to 3–0
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UConn 1-2 | 00 | 03 | 07 | 07 | 17 |
| Delaware 3-0 | 00 | 03 | 07 | 07 | 17 |
NEWARK, Delaware – Midway through the fourth quarter it looked like Delaware’s perfect start to the season might come to a grinding halt. But with under five minutes to play, quarterback Zach Marker engineered a clutch drive capped by a 56-yard touchdown strike to Max Patterson that sealed a dramatic 24–20 win over UConn in front of a raucous home crowd at Delaware Stadium.
The win moves the Blue Hens to 3–0 in their inaugural FBS campaign, while the Huskies fall to 1–2.
The opening quarter was a defensive stalemate, with both teams trading punts as field position dictated strategy. Delaware finally broke through on its fourth possession with a methodical 16-play, 94-yard march that chewed up seven minutes of game clock. Running back Jo’Nathan Silver capped the drive by muscling into the end zone from a yard out after the Hens had started deep in their own territory following a fourth-and-one stop on UConn’s Mel Brown.
UConn responded with a couple of big plays as Fagnano hit receivers, setting up a 37-yard field goal from Chris Freeman. Freeman would add another early in the second quarter, cutting the Delaware lead to 7–6, but the Blue Hens got some breathing room when Nate Reed drilled a 47-yard field goal midway through the third.
That lead was short-lived, however. Cam Edwards, UConn’s dynamic back, punched in from seven yards out to give the Huskies their first lead at 13–10. Edwards was a thorn in Delaware’s side all night, finishing with 112 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries.
Delaware answered with its best ground sequence of the evening. Early in the fourth, Silver found daylight off the left edge and sprinted 27 yards for his second touchdown of the game, reclaiming the lead at 17–13. He finished with 22 carries for 85 yards in addition to the pair of scores.
A shaky 29-yard punt on Delaware’s next series set UConn up at the Blue Hens’ 38-yard line. Fagnano and the Huskies took advantage, with Edwards scoring again from short range to give the visitors a 20–17 advantage.
With 4:13 remaining and the game on the line, Delaware’s offense took the field needing a spark—and nearly faltered. Tyrece Mills broke through for a massive sack on first down, dropping Marker at his own 13-yard line. After an incompletion, Marker stepped up and fired a strike down the right sideline to Nicholas Laboy for 31 yards. On the very next play, Max Patterson froze the cornerback with a sharp in-and-out move, hauled in Marker’s perfectly placed deep ball, and raced the final stretch for a 56-yard touchdown that brought the stadium to life.
Marker was efficient going 16-of-22 for 211 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers. Jake Thaw led all Delaware receivers with 84 yards on 7 catches, while Laboy added 34 yards on two grabs and Patterson made the most of his lone reception.
UConn still had time, but the Delaware defense rose to the occasion. After allowing one first down, the Hens forced three straight incompletions before Keyshawn Hunter and Julius Puryear combined for a fourth-down sack to ice the game. Fagnano finished with 214 yards on 17-of-35 passing but struggled to find consistency down the stretch.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was gutsy.
Delaware will head south to face Florida International next week.
Scoring Summary
2nd Quarter
UD – J. Silver 1 yd run (N. Reed kick), 2:03
CONN – C. Freeman 37 yd FG, 0:21
3rd Quarter
CONN – C. Freeman 44 yd FG, 9:10
UD – N. Reed 47 yd FG, 5:36
CONN – C. Edwards 7 yd run (C. Freeman kick), 3:02
4th Quarter
UD – J. Silver 27 yd run (N. Reed kick), 8:47
CONN – C. Edwards 2 yd run (C. Freeman kick), 4:30
UD – M. Patterson 56 yd pass from Z. Marker (N. Reed kick), 2:44
Delaware Stat Leaders
Passing
Zach Marker – 16/22, 211 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT
Rushing
Jo’Nathan Silver – 22 CAR, 85 YDS, 2 TD
Zach Marker – 6 CAR, 13 YDS
Reeching Larke – 1 CAR, 4 YDS
Receiving
Jake Thaw – 7 REC, 84 YDS
Nicholas Laboy – 2 REC, 34 YDS
Max Patterson – 1 REC, 56 YDS, 1 TD
Defense
Julius Puryear – 6 TKL, 1.0 SK
Keyshawn Hunter – 5 TKL, 1.0 SK
Gavin Mulholland – 5 TKL
Jack Hall – 5 TKL
UConn Stat Leaders
Passing
Joe Fagnano – 17/35, 214 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT
Rushing
Cam Edwards – 14 CAR, 112 YDS, 2 TD
Mel Brown – 5 CAR, 8 YDS
Receiving
Keaivon Simms – 4 REC, 47 YDS
Beau Belmore – 3 REC, 41 YDS
Caleb Burton II – 3 REC, 39 YDS
Nick Russell – 2 REC, 32 YDS
Chris Parker – 2 REC, 22 YDS
Defense
Tyrequaun King – 8 TKL
Bryan Barham – 6 TKL
T. Mills – 1.0 SK
Emoni Morgan – 1.0 SK
Nick Russell – 1.0 SK
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | Delaware | UConn |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 15 | 15 |
| Total Offense | 335 | 365 |
| Rush|Yds|TD | 30|124|2 | 22|99|2 |
| Comp|Att|TD | 16|22|1 | 17|35|0 |
| Passing Yards | 211 | 214 |
| 3rd Down Conv. | 6/12 | 5/12 |
| 4th Down Conv. | 1/1 | 1/2 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties|Yards | 2|20 | 3|25 |
| Punt Ret. Yds | 0 | 0 |
| Kick Ret. Yds | 15 | 34 |
| Total Yards | 335 | 365 |
