2008 Woodie Awards
Football: UMass gets big win over Delaware
Ryan Fleming, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Sports
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"This game meant a lot more than the rest of them," UMass free safety Jeremy Miles said. "We took the field with a purpose today. That's how you win big games."
With fewer than 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter Miles read a hook route, snatching the ball before it got to its intended receiver. Miles outran the Delaware offensive linemen to seal the game for the Minutemen, 17-7.
"I just knew if he let the ball go and I jumped [the route] it was going to be good - so I just jumped it and took a chance," Miles said.
The Minutemen (3-2, 2-0 CAA) finally got the performance they needed from the defense, which has struggled all season long.
Despite the defensive troubles, UMass coach Don Brown never lost confidence in his defense that, for the past few years, has been the trademark of the Minutemen.
"In the second half, when we turned it over on our side of the 50, I didn't feel like [Delaware] could get it in on us," Brown said.
At the start of the game it looked like another run-and-gun type of game, which so far this season the Minutemen are very accustomed to.
The opening drives for both teams resulted in touchdowns.
UMass started the game scoring with ease. Coen lobbed a pass over a Delaware defender, which a leaping Jeremy Horne caught, broke a tackle and high-stepped his way to the end zone for the game's first score.
The ensuing Blue Hen drive lasted for more than half a quarter. Delaware (2-3, 0-1 CAA) capped off a 9 minute, 9 second, 79-yard drive on a touchdown pass to tight end David Agnone to tie the game at seven. It was Delaware's longest drive of the season.
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