Cuff, who is trying to become the first player in Delaware history to lead the team in rushing four consecutive seasons, carried the ball 30 times for 244 yards and six touchdowns and caught four passes for 52 yards and one touchdown. He set school and CAA records for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns in a game and tied the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision for total touchdowns in a game.
“It's nice. I guess this was my night,” Cuff, who missed all or parts of five games in 2006 with an injury, said. “I love those guys on the offensive line. I ran pretty well tonight. I'm still a little cautious (due to the injury) but I was able to open things up and it worked well for me.”
Delaware senior quarterback Joe Flacco, like Cuff a candidate for the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player at the FCS level, completed 19 of 23 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown, surpassing the 200-yard mark for the sixth straight game dating back to last season. Kervin Michaud added to the offense as he rushed for 39 yards and caught seven passes for 75 yards.
After falling behind 3-0 late in the first quarter, the Hens scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 21-3 lead at halftime. After William and Mary cut the lead to 21-10 early in the second half, Cuff responded with his fourth touchdown of the night just under four minutes later and the Hens led by at least 18 points the rest of the way.
William and Mary showed its offensive strength, as well, with quarterback Jake Phillips completing 26 of 41 passes for 433 yards and two touchdowns. D.J. McAulay caught seven passes for 162 yards and tight end Drew Atchison hauled in six passes for 139 yards. William and Mary piled up 542 total yards, the ninth highest total allowed in Blue Hen history.
Overall, UD Head Coach K.C. Keeler was pleased with the effort. “An 18-point victory on the road in this league is a big deal,” he said. “We played very well tonight and we're proud of them. We have to clean some things up on defense, but our offense clicked tonight and it was a great way to open the season. Our offensive line was the key tonight, we just kept grinding all night. And what can you say about Omar? You realize how special he is when you consider how much time he missed last season. He might be one of the best backs in America.”
The Hens will return to action with a home game against NCAA Division II West Chester University at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8, at Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium.
For more information on UD athletics, see [www.udel.edu/sportsinfo].
Photo by Mark Campbell
