The unbeaten Delaware Blue Hens scored three late touchdowns on Saturday afternoon, and pulled away from Maine 44-21 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) football action at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware.
After allowing an early Delaware touchdown in the first two minutes of the opening quarter, Maine was able to take a one point lead into halftime 14-13 on a Carter Peevy to Montigo Moss 19-yard scoring pass with 3:11 to go before the break. The Black Bears were able to hold that advantage thanks to a defensive stand in the final seconds, stopping the Blue Hens on four straight plays after it was first and goal at the Maine 4-yard line.
Delaware took the lead back for good in the third quarter on a Nate Reed 23-yard field goal, and went up by nine at 23-14 on a 40-yard touchdown run by Jo’Nathan Silver. A 1-yard scoring run by Tavion Banks helped Maine cut the deficit back to just two early in the fourth, but the Blue Hens responded with a 4-yard TD pass from Zach Marker to Jake Thaw about five minutes later. Peevy was intercepted twice in the final 5:16, one that was returned 34 yards for a touchdown. Quincy Watson capped the scoring with a 3-yard run with 57 seconds remaining.
Peevy finished 15-25 passing for 147 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in the Maine loss. He only had one interception on the season entering Saturday’s game. The Black Bears couldn’t establish a run game, as they only had 82 rushing yards on 26 attempts with two of their touchdowns coming on short runs by Jaharie Martin and Banks. Moss was the leading receiver with four catches for 51 yards and a score. Xavier Holmes led the defense with 13 total tackles, two going for a loss, and one sack. Marker was the offensive star on the afternoon in the win for Delaware, passing for 279 yards and three touchdowns (20 for 31). Phil Lutz had five receptions for 133 yards and a score, while Thaw caught two touchdown passes. The Blue Hens, who are ineligible to win a CAA title or compete in the FCS playoffs because of the transition of joining the FBS next season, improve to 6-0 and 3-0 in the conference. Maine had their two game win streak snapped, dropping to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the CAA. The Black Bears return home next Saturday to host #5 Villanova for homecoming at Alfond Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
Maine tries to shut down a Colgate ball carrier during a season opening win back on August 30th in Orono. The Black Bears had their two game win streak snapped Saturday afternoon in Delaware, as the Blue Hens pulled away for a 44-21 CAA victory. Photo courtesy of Anthony DelMonaco (UMaine Athletics)
