2008 Woodie Awards
Four takeaways lead Hens to victory
UD still tied for first in division
by Matt Gallo
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Sports
After giving up rushing touchdowns of 86, 48 and 55 yards in the second half, the Delaware defense banded together, as it stopped two James Madison potential go-ahead scoring drives in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter to preserve a 37-34 win Saturday afternoon at Delaware Stadium.
No. 7 Delaware (8-1, 5-1 Colonial Athletic Association) allowed a season-high 403 yards on the ground, but held No. 12 James Madison (6-3, 4-2 CAA) senior quarterback Rodney Landers to only 39 yards passing on the day.
The depleted Delaware defense, which played without defensive ends Ronald Talley and Matt Marcorelle due to injuries, forced four turnovers - one coming inside the final three minutes of the game.
After Landers rushed down the left sideline for a gain of 23, the Dukes had first-and-10 with the go-ahead score only 37 yards away. On the next play, redshirt freshman Griff Yancey took a hand-off up the middle but was met by Delaware defensive back Anthony Bratton, forcing the ball loose. Freshman Anthony Walters recovered the ball, sealing the Hens' victory, putting Delaware atop the CAA South Division.
James Madison's rushing attack highlighted the Dukes' offense on the day, as senior tailback Antoinne Bolton finished with 172 yards on 19 carries and Yancy averaged 10.1 yards a carry, compiling 174 yards on 17 carries.
Delaware senior running back found the endzone three times on the afternoon, bringing his yearly total to 31 total touchdowns. Cuff's 8-yard touchdown run with 8:52 left in the fourth quarter tied him for the most single-season touchdowns in Football Championship Subdivision history with 31 on the season.
James Madison head coach Mickey Matthews said he was frustrated with the amount of turnovers his team committed in the game.
"You can't turnover the ball over four times and expect to win," Matthews said. "However, I have to credit [Delaware] who committed no turnovers today."
Delaware bent but did not break Saturday, forcing three fumbles and intercepted Landers in the third quarter, setting up a 3-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Joe Flacco with 3:46 left in the third quarter. The rushing touchdown was the first of Flacco's career.
No. 7 Delaware (8-1, 5-1 Colonial Athletic Association) allowed a season-high 403 yards on the ground, but held No. 12 James Madison (6-3, 4-2 CAA) senior quarterback Rodney Landers to only 39 yards passing on the day.
The depleted Delaware defense, which played without defensive ends Ronald Talley and Matt Marcorelle due to injuries, forced four turnovers - one coming inside the final three minutes of the game.
After Landers rushed down the left sideline for a gain of 23, the Dukes had first-and-10 with the go-ahead score only 37 yards away. On the next play, redshirt freshman Griff Yancey took a hand-off up the middle but was met by Delaware defensive back Anthony Bratton, forcing the ball loose. Freshman Anthony Walters recovered the ball, sealing the Hens' victory, putting Delaware atop the CAA South Division.
James Madison's rushing attack highlighted the Dukes' offense on the day, as senior tailback Antoinne Bolton finished with 172 yards on 19 carries and Yancy averaged 10.1 yards a carry, compiling 174 yards on 17 carries.
Delaware senior running back found the endzone three times on the afternoon, bringing his yearly total to 31 total touchdowns. Cuff's 8-yard touchdown run with 8:52 left in the fourth quarter tied him for the most single-season touchdowns in Football Championship Subdivision history with 31 on the season.
James Madison head coach Mickey Matthews said he was frustrated with the amount of turnovers his team committed in the game.
"You can't turnover the ball over four times and expect to win," Matthews said. "However, I have to credit [Delaware] who committed no turnovers today."
Delaware bent but did not break Saturday, forcing three fumbles and intercepted Landers in the third quarter, setting up a 3-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Joe Flacco with 3:46 left in the third quarter. The rushing touchdown was the first of Flacco's career.
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