By Chris Estrada
For the second straight week, the Huskies showed the ability to play tough against a solid, nationally ranked team. But now a new question arises: Do they have the ability to actually win against such a solid, nationally ranked team?
The answer to that will have to wait until next week. With a methodical fourth-quarter offense, No. 15 Delaware averted a spoiled Homecoming and pulled away from Northeastern to win 30-20 Saturday in Newark, Del.
A key moment in the third quarter helped jumpstart the Blue Hens’ rally. After Husky senior running back Maurice Murray (26 car., 95 yards, 2 TD) scored from one yard out to tie the game at 20, with 1:10 left in the quarter, sophomore kicker Mat Johnson’s extra point attempt was blocked by UD defensive tackle Jeremy Kametz. Now with possession, Delaware marched 71 yards in eight plays with the payoff of a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Flacco (17-for-26, 222 yards) to tailback Omar Cuff (39 car., 200 yards, 2 TD; 2 rec, 33 yards, 1 TD).
After Northeastern’s ensuing drive stalled out at the UD 38, Delaware rattled off a 91-yard drive that took 8:37 off the clock and forced the Huskies to burn all three timeouts, which ended with a 19-yard field goal by Joe Striefsky. Cuff was the star of the drive, as he bagged five of the Hens’ six first downs in the possession, including one on fourth-and-one from the NU 44.
With only 1:35 left and no timeouts to work with, Orio and his crew had their last chance go awry as the first two plays of the drive saw Orio get sacked for a loss of nine yards and the Huskies called for a 10-yard holding penalty. On fourth-and-six with less than 20 seconds to go, they turned the ball over on downs as Orio was unable to connect with tailback Alex Broomfield.
But the Huskies also had several encouraging signs, including the continued progress of Orio (18-for-23, 198 yards) and tight end Brian Mandeville (2 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD).
After senior strong safety Kevin Brown picked off Flacco midway through the first quarter, Orio and Mandeville connected on a 76-yard touchdown pass to put the Huskies up 7-3.
“I just found Brian right down the middle of the field and the safeties were coming up from the hashmarks,” Orio said of the play. “I threw the ball and he made the catch and had a great run after the catch.”
Hager praised Mandeville for his ability to stay ahead of Delaware’s secondary.
“Brian has always done a very good job of being in the right position and he has been very patient,” Hager said. “The play was impressive … those defensive backs are some of the fastest in the Tri-State area. He was able to run fast enough to keep them from catching him.”
Hager also commented on Orio’s game, focusing on the fact that he’s elevated his play this season.
“I think a little bit of that progress [for Orio] is not having the [quarterback] rotation, but also, it’s Anthony having a better feel and having more confidence,” Hager said. “He knows he can drive the ball into tight spots. I am very pleased with how he has risen as a play caller and a decision maker.”
UD managed to jump back ahead on the next drive, 10-7, with a two-yard scoring run from Cuff. NU retook control later in the second quarter with Murray’s first of two touchdowns on the day, a two-yard run, to make it 14-10.
After UD pulled to within one before halftime with a field goal, the Hens had the ball to start the second half. They made it count, going 89 yards in 12 plays and finishing with an 11-yard run by Cuff to make it 20-14. The Huskies responded with what would be their final scoring drive of the day, a 65-yard excursion that ended with Murray’s second score of the day to tie the contest at 20. Another touchdown and field goal for Delaware ended the game at 30-20.
Northeastern fans can watch the Huskies try to topple No. 4 UMass next Saturday at noon in person. The Athletic Department is sponsoring a bus to Amherst, which will leave at 9 a.m. outside Chicken Lou’s on Forsyth Street and return promptly after the game. The ride is free for students and $20 for everyone else. Spots can be reserved by calling the Husky Athletics Club (617-373-2582).
