There were immediate signs that Morgan State was overmatched in its football bout with the Blue Hens on a splendidly sunny Saturday at Delaware Stadium.
It took a little longer than Delaware would have preferred to put the proof on the scoreboard for a large homecoming audience of 16,735 to see and savor.
Eventually Delaware did, blasting the Bears 38-7 in the final nonconference game of the season before the 13th-ranked Hens head into a decisive four-game Colonial Athletic Association stretch that will decide their postseason fate.
But quarterback Nolan Henderson’s health is again up in the air. He had to be helped off the field early in the fourth period after a 4-yard run up the middle that ended with Morgan State’s Brandon King pouncing on him for what referees deemed unnecessary roughness. His left, non-throwing arm was later seen in a sling.
GAME STATS: Delaware 38, Morgan State 7
Zach Gwynn, who started the final seven games last year after Henderson’s season-ending injury, stepped in at quarterback. Two plays later, after a pass-interference call in the end zone, he handed the football to Khory Spruill, whose 2-yard touchdown run allowed Delaware to take command 28-7 with 13:15 left.
Andrew Macmillan tacked on a 39-yard field goal and Ryan O’Connor threw his first college TD pass 7 yards to Brett Buckman with 1:14 left to close a 17-point fourth quarter for the Hens.
Henderson finished 13-for-29 passing for 206 yards and a touchdown and his 65 yards on 10 carries led Delaware’s rushing attack.
Delaware will take 6-1 overall and 3-1 CAA marks into next Saturday’s game knowing a more polished effort will likely be needed at Elon (5-3, 3-2) . The Phoenix lost 40-22 at CAA front-runner New Hampshire Saturday.
MEAC member Morgan State feel to 2-5 in the schools’ first meeting since 1984.
HOME BODY:With big-time football offers in hand, Middletown lineman opts for Hens
HOMECOMING HISTORY:Alumni day has produces these football classics
LOOKING UP:Is Delaware finally eyeing climb to Football Bowl Subdivision?
The Blue Hens outgained the visitors 435-158 in total yards.
Delaware scored on its first two possessions to go up 14-0. Jourdan Townsend dashed 17 yards for the first touchdown and Henderson connected with Marcus Yarns on a 72-yard pass down the visitors’ sideline for the second. Delaware needed just 10 plays to cover 161 yards on the two series.
But the Blue Hens had subsequent first-half series stopped on downs at the Morgan State 25, at the Bears’ 36 where Delaware quick kicked and, to close the half, on the 1 where Anthony Paoletti was swarmed by tacklers on a quarterback keeper.
Morgan State had just pulled within 14-7 as leading MEAC rusher Alfonzo Graham scored from the 2 to close an 8-play 43-yard drive after Delaware had to punt from deep in its own territory.
Delaware did quickly extend its lead to 21-7 after Liam Trainer intercepted a Morgan State pass on the first play of the third quarter. Henderson reached the football across the goal line for a 7-yard touchdown two plays after Bryce De Maille had gained 3 years off a direct snap from a fake punt.
But two other third-quarter opportunities in Morgan State territory, the first after Drew Nickles’ interception, netted zero points and included a missed 28-yard field goal.
Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com.
