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The better team won, which considering it was Delaware’s Conference USA debut added to the satisfaction Sept. 20 at Pitbull Stadium.
Delaware made the plays and avoided mistakes in a way host Florida International did not, and the Blue Hens were rewarded with a 38-16 win in their CUSA debut.
The Hens scored first and then quickly took charge after FIU scored the game’s first touchdown, making key defensive stops along the way while improving to 3-1 with 11,705 fans, including a large Delaware turnout, watching.
“Underdog mentality,” linebacker Gavin Moule said. “People are gonna keep dogging us. Doesn't matter. Gives us an edge.”
Here are five takeaways from the win:
Mysonne Pollard transferred to Delaware before last year after being a JUCO All-American return specialist at Monroe College.
He quickly showed he could play at the NCAA Division I FCS level and is certainly fitting in while the Hens make their FBS climb.
The safety’s two first-half interceptions keyed the Hens, the first coming on a third-and-5 pass to the end zone and the second giving Delaware possession at midfield. The Hens drove for the go-ahead TD.
Pollard was hurt late in the game and was not available postgame.
“Anytime you can take the football away,” coach Ryan Carty said. “We talk about it all the time, right? Possessions are the only thing that really matters in college football, as long as you do something with them. Points off turnovers is probably almost as important as turnovers.”
Kyree Duplessis hadn’t returned punts since he was in high school six years ago, practicing at it but never doing so in a game while at Coastal Carolina the past five seasons.
The wide receiver’s numerous contributions catching passes since transferring to Delaware before this year now have a special teams companion.
His 68-yard punt return for a TD in the second quarter allowed Delaware to extend its lead to 24-7 just before halftime, which was a positive jolt as Delaware established its superiority.
“Appreciate my team being able to make the blocks and coach made the call,” he said. “Once I saw that the kick was a little sailed, I just kept running.”
“What a big play, man,” Carty said. “It was one of the first true returns we had a chance to have this year. … That was one of the first times we really set up a return. And it just was perfect. Hit it right down the middle.”
FIU actually outgained Delaware 363-358 in total yards. But Delaware’s defense came up big repeatedly when FIU threatened, especially when Dillon Trainer’s sack forced a rushed 43-yard field goal try that FIU missed as the first half ended.
The Panthers were also thwarted by Pollard’s end-zone interception, settled for a field goal after reaching the UD 18 in the third quarter and were stopped by a Hens’ goal-line stand as the game ended.
“We knew we could compete with them before the game even started,” Moule said. “We watched them all week. Up front, we knew we could dominate with three. We played a lot of three down today. … We handled our business.”
Delaware ate up 6:27 and 7:31 off the clock with its 79- and 81-yard second-half TD drives, cementing the win and keeping FIU off the field.
“I'd like to think that we can do that,” Carty said. “I think that's kind of the offense that we've always had, the ability to stay on the field and drive people. And if somebody wants to make us drive it, we can drive it.”
The offensive line had a lot to do with that, Carty added.
“The o-line, amazing,” quarterback Minicucci said.
FIU penalties – they had seven for 68 yards – also periodically helped the Hens.
This was Delaware’s final Saturday game until Nov. 1 at Liberty, thanks to the unique CUSA schedule.
In addition, Delaware only has one game the next 3½ weeks. The Hens’ next game is on Parents Weekend Oct. 3, a Friday night, against Western Kentucky.
They then play Wednesday night games at Jacksonville State Oct. 15 and home against Middle Tennessee Oct. 22.
The next four games are also on national TV on ESPN2 or the CBS Sports Network.
GETTING PHYSICAL: Hens expect tough test in CUSA debut at FIU
NEW WORLD: As Hens prep for CUSA debut expect more games like UConn
MAKING HISTORY: Blue Hens get memorable win over UConn
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow on X (formerly Twitter) @kevintresolini and Instagram @DeGameday. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware at FIU. 5 takeaways from Blue Hens' win in CUSA debut
Continue reading...
Delaware made the plays and avoided mistakes in a way host Florida International did not, and the Blue Hens were rewarded with a 38-16 win in their CUSA debut.
The Hens scored first and then quickly took charge after FIU scored the game’s first touchdown, making key defensive stops along the way while improving to 3-1 with 11,705 fans, including a large Delaware turnout, watching.
“Underdog mentality,” linebacker Gavin Moule said. “People are gonna keep dogging us. Doesn't matter. Gives us an edge.”
Here are five takeaways from the win:
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Mysonne Pollard interceptions key
Mysonne Pollard transferred to Delaware before last year after being a JUCO All-American return specialist at Monroe College.
He quickly showed he could play at the NCAA Division I FCS level and is certainly fitting in while the Hens make their FBS climb.
The safety’s two first-half interceptions keyed the Hens, the first coming on a third-and-5 pass to the end zone and the second giving Delaware possession at midfield. The Hens drove for the go-ahead TD.
Pollard was hurt late in the game and was not available postgame.
“Anytime you can take the football away,” coach Ryan Carty said. “We talk about it all the time, right? Possessions are the only thing that really matters in college football, as long as you do something with them. Points off turnovers is probably almost as important as turnovers.”
Duplessis returns punt for TD
Kyree Duplessis hadn’t returned punts since he was in high school six years ago, practicing at it but never doing so in a game while at Coastal Carolina the past five seasons.
The wide receiver’s numerous contributions catching passes since transferring to Delaware before this year now have a special teams companion.
His 68-yard punt return for a TD in the second quarter allowed Delaware to extend its lead to 24-7 just before halftime, which was a positive jolt as Delaware established its superiority.
“Appreciate my team being able to make the blocks and coach made the call,” he said. “Once I saw that the kick was a little sailed, I just kept running.”
“What a big play, man,” Carty said. “It was one of the first true returns we had a chance to have this year. … That was one of the first times we really set up a return. And it just was perfect. Hit it right down the middle.”
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Defense excels when it matters
FIU actually outgained Delaware 363-358 in total yards. But Delaware’s defense came up big repeatedly when FIU threatened, especially when Dillon Trainer’s sack forced a rushed 43-yard field goal try that FIU missed as the first half ended.
The Panthers were also thwarted by Pollard’s end-zone interception, settled for a field goal after reaching the UD 18 in the third quarter and were stopped by a Hens’ goal-line stand as the game ended.
“We knew we could compete with them before the game even started,” Moule said. “We watched them all week. Up front, we knew we could dominate with three. We played a lot of three down today. … We handled our business.”
Drive time
Delaware ate up 6:27 and 7:31 off the clock with its 79- and 81-yard second-half TD drives, cementing the win and keeping FIU off the field.
“I'd like to think that we can do that,” Carty said. “I think that's kind of the offense that we've always had, the ability to stay on the field and drive people. And if somebody wants to make us drive it, we can drive it.”
The offensive line had a lot to do with that, Carty added.
“The o-line, amazing,” quarterback Minicucci said.
FIU penalties – they had seven for 68 yards – also periodically helped the Hens.
Dating game
This was Delaware’s final Saturday game until Nov. 1 at Liberty, thanks to the unique CUSA schedule.
In addition, Delaware only has one game the next 3½ weeks. The Hens’ next game is on Parents Weekend Oct. 3, a Friday night, against Western Kentucky.
They then play Wednesday night games at Jacksonville State Oct. 15 and home against Middle Tennessee Oct. 22.
The next four games are also on national TV on ESPN2 or the CBS Sports Network.
More on Blue Hens
GETTING PHYSICAL: Hens expect tough test in CUSA debut at FIU
NEW WORLD: As Hens prep for CUSA debut expect more games like UConn
MAKING HISTORY: Blue Hens get memorable win over UConn
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow on X (formerly Twitter) @kevintresolini and Instagram @DeGameday. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware at FIU. 5 takeaways from Blue Hens' win in CUSA debut
Continue reading...
