By By Nick Pipitone
Your first collegiate start at quarterback should always be nerve-wracking. However, when it comes against a conference opponent ranked in the top 15 of Division I-AA, it might be a little more stressful. Sophomore QB Dennis Davis was lucky enough just to get his first start under the circumstances.
Subbing in for injured starter Anton Clarkson, Davis scrambled for the game-winning touchdown from four yards out late in the third quarter to lead the Pride past No. 8 University of Delaware, 10-6, in its first conference win of the season. It was also the Pride’s first win over the Blue Hens since 2001.
“It may have looked like I was nervous, but I really wasn’t,” Davis said. “After I settled down, everything started to make sense. I played average, I made some mistakes but we won the game and that’s the most important thing.”
A solid effort by Davis and a clutch defensive performance vaulted the Pride to a crucial victory that now puts the team back into the thick of the playoff picture. Bouncing back from a 42-10 home drubbing from defending champion James Madison University on Oct. 1, the Pride (3-2, 1-1 Atlantic 10) was able to outlast the Blue Hens (3-2, 0-2) amidst sloppy field conditions at Delaware Field on the team’s homecoming.
After a lackluster first quarter in which both teams combined for six punts, the Pride got on the board first.
Delaware threatened twice midway through the second quarter, but was stopped by the Blue & Gold defense in Pride territory.
Following the second stand, Davis led the team 40 yards on 11 plays down to the Delaware 31-yard line, setting up sophomore kicker Rob Zarilli for a 48-yard field goal. Despite the inclement weather, Zarilli nailed the kick to give his team a 3-0 lead. With the kick, Zarilli is a perfect 8-for-8 on field goal attempts this season.
“I knew 3 points in that kind of game was huge, so I just focused more than any kick I’ve had this year,” Zarilli said. “I focused on my mechanics and tried to drill it.”
Regaining possession with just over a minute left, the Blue Hens marched 75 yards on 11 plays. With no timeouts, senior quarterback Sonny Riccio connected with wideout Brian Ingram over the middle at the Pride 5-yard line with only 11 seconds remaining. After the play, the referees determined that Ingram had gotten the first down and put 5 seconds on the clock, enabling Delaware to kick a 22-yard field goal to tie the game at 3 going into the half.
“I hope this win puts us back in the playoff picture,” head coach Joe Gardi said. “But you never know in this conference, there are so many good teams.”
The Delaware offense, however, was inept throughout most of the game. The Pride induced eight punts and forced the Blue Hens to turn the ball over on downs four times, including twice in the red zone. In total, the Pride held the Hens to 321 yards, 248 of which came through the air. Delaware threw the ball 52 times, averaging only 4.8 yards-per-pass.
Midway through the third quarter, the Blue Hens were able to muster enough offense to take their first lead of the game. On its second possession of the half, Delaware drove inside the Pride 10-yard line, but once again could not capitalize. Zach Hobby kicked his second field goal of the day to give his team a 6-3 lead.
Faced with his first deficit of the game, Davis thrived. With surprising calm under fire, he led the game-winning drive, going 56 yards on only seven plays. Senior receiver Devale Ellis also played a key role on the drive, setting up good field position with his long kick return, converting a third down on a screen pass and then taking another reception inside the Blue Hen 10-yard line.
“Devale [Ellis] really came through on that drive, he picked up most of the yards” sophomore wide receiver Charles Sullivan said. “And on that field, you couldn’t really do much, so I think the good field position helped us.”
Ellis led the Pride receiving corps with eight receptions for 116 yards, marking his third 100-yard receiving game of the season. Davis, meanwhile, threw for 266 yards on 26 of 41 passing with one interception and the rushing touchdown.
After Davis’ touchdown run, the Pride defense protected its 10-6 lead. Delaware had four more chances in the fourth quarter, but was stymied by a steadfast Blue & Gold secondary.
The Blue Hens final shot came late in the fourth. On its last drive, Delaware got the ball back with 2:52 left, down four and in need of a touchdown. Riccio led the Hens down to the Pride 4-yard line with four chances to take the lead, but unfortunately for him and the 22,030 in attendance, the Pride defense made a crucial goal line stand.
On the last play, Riccio slipped in the mud while trying to throw to the end zone, his pass falling short, enabling the Pride to hold on for the win.
With the first conference victory under its belt, the Pride now looks forward to its own homecoming against the University of Maine Saturday afternoon at Shuart Stadium.
The Pride defense scrambles to make a tackle in last Saturday’s game at No. 8 ranked Delaware. (Photo Courtesy Jim Sheehan)