ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The occasion couldn’t have commenced more splendidly for the Blue Hens at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Delaware recovered a fumble on Navy’s first play and turned that into a touchdown just 22 seconds into its 2022 football opener.
But accomplishing its mission required considerably more time and a slew of clutch plays, and Delaware made enough to fashion an unforgettable ending on Saturday.
The Blue Hens succeeded in memorable fashion, stunning FBS-level Navy 14-7 in their first game under new coach Ryan Carty in front of 30,542, including a large and happy Delaware contingent, on the hot, sunny afternoon.
Delaware, ranked 19th nationally in FCS, beat an FBS foe for the first time since a 59-52 win at Navy in 2007, when Joe Flacco was the Hens’ quarterback.
Present-day quarterback Nolan Henderson played a leading role this time., with linebacker Johnny Buchanan sparking the defensive effort against Navy’s triple-option attack with 23 tackles.
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Delaware took a 14-0 lead with 4:30 left in the third quarter when Henderson rolled left and hurled a 51-yard TD pass to Sam Houston transfer Chandler Harvin, who’d gotten past two Navy defenders.
Navy quickly cut the lead to 14-7, moving 56 yards in 10 plays with quarterback Tai Lavatai scoring on a 2-yard keeper with :29 left in the third period.
On subsequent drives Navy punted, was stopped on downs at the UD 37 and punted again. Navy then drove to the UD 9 on its final series, where on fourth-and-4 Lavatai’s pass was incomplete out of the end zone, setting off a celebration on the UD sidelines and in the stands.
It was the 18th meeting between Delaware and Navy but first since 2013. Delaware, seeking its eighth win in the series, sought to summon the fervor and firepower that characterized its upsets here in 2003 and 2007, both years it eventually played for NCAA titles. Carty backed up quarterback Andy Hall on the 2003 team.
Henderson, the Smyrna High grad and fourth-year starter, completed 20 of 32 passes for 189 yards but was sacked five times.
Navy fumbled the ball away on its first play of the game with linebacker Drew Nickles recovering for Delaware at the Navy 21. After a pass-interference call on Delaware’s first snap moved it closer, Henderson threw a first-down 6-yard TD pass to tight end Bryce De Maille, long a favorite target.
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Delaware had two more chances to capitalize on Navy giveaways as Nickles recovered another fumble at the Navy 26 late in the first quarter and fellow linebacker Liam Trainer scooped up another on Navy’s next possession at the UD 34.
But the Blue Hens didn’t convert. Brandon Ratcliffe’s first college field-goal goal, from 44 yards, was well off the mark after the first.
Delaware then drove to the Navy 2, where it failed to complete a pass on the first three downs before Henderson was dropped for a 4-yard loss on a quarterback keeper on fourth down.
Another Delaware second-quarter drive was foiled when the Hens fumbled at the Navy 22.
Navy missed a 45-yard field goal on its second possession and was stopped on downs at the UD 42 in the second quarter.
Delaware will open its home schedule next Saturday night at 6 against Delaware State, which hosted Division II Lincoln University in its season opener Saturday afternoon.
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