If Saturday’s Prime 20 matchup between No. 9-ranked Delaware and No. 17 Rhode Island was about making a press release for the Colonial Athletic Affiliation race unfolding within the coming two months, the Blue Hens crowed loud-and-clear. 

Outgaining the Rams 610 yards to 299 and by no means trailing, Delaware put collectively maybe the single-most spectacular effort of any CAA staff to date in 2022 in its 42-21 win.  

Nolan Henderson accomplished 29-of-34 go makes an attempt for 379 yards with 4 touchdowns, the form of efficiency that gives the cornerstone for a Walter Payton Award marketing campaign. All of the extra spectacular, Henderson did a lot of his work in a single half. 

All 4 scoring throws, unfold to 3 completely different pass-catchers in Thyrick Pitts, Braden Brose and a pair to Jourdan Townsend, and 315 of Henderson’s yards got here earlier than intermission. Per BlueHens.com, that was a program-best since 1998. 

Landing!!! Henderson finds Pitts and the Hens lengthen their lead earlier than the half! pic.twitter.com/P0hyiX8xiH

— Delaware Soccer (@Delaware_FB) September 17, 2022

After clawing to a 14-7 win Week 1 at Navy and rolling however not essentially wowing towards an overmatched Delaware State, 35-9, Week 3 marked the primary time underneath new Blue Hens head coach Ryan Carty that shades of the explosive offense he coordinated at Sam Houston State actually shined by. 

“It is a cumulative effort in a brand new offense, [and] that is the third sport we have had in it. And there is not any doubt, we moved the ball slightly bit higher as we speak,” Carty mentioned in his postgame press convention. “However, we have additionally been enjoying towards actually good defenses, and that is the third actually good protection we have performed towards. Fortunately, our protection has been one of the best protection on the sphere in these three video games.” 

Delaware did not precisely want its protection to pitch a shutout with its offensive efficiency. Together with Henderson’s near-perfect passing and Townsend’s 109 receiving yards, a trio of Blue Hens ball-carriers — Kyron Cumby, Quincy Watson and Khory Spruill — all averaged greater than 5 yards per carry. 

TOUCHDOWN BLUE HENS!! @KyronCumby2 together with his 1st rating within the Blue & Gold! pic.twitter.com/9iMbH3fQ7w

— Delaware Soccer (@Delaware_FB) September 17, 2022

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Nonetheless, the Delaware protection as soon as once more confirmed out. Rhode Island went simply 2-of-12 on third down, which was a byproduct of the Blue Hens’ stinginess with yards on first and second down. The Rams confronted a median of 8.5 yards-to-go on their third-down snaps. 

Delaware’s efficiency on each side of the ball made a press release certainly, summed up succinctly by Rhode Island coach Jim Fleming. 

“We might should play a helluva lot higher in all three phases to beat that soccer staff, the best way they performed as we speak,” he mentioned in his postgame press convention.  

John Pius and Marcus Hillman Stacking Up Sacks

You could not see one other sequence of 4 consecutive performs this school soccer season similar to Marcus Hillman’s down the stretch of Elon’s 30-24 win over Gardner-Webb. 

Clinging to the lead of lower than a touchdown-and-extra level, a Phoenix protection in want of a fourth-down cease bought it when Hillman hit Bulldogs quarterback Bailey Fisher within the backfield. Hillman’s preliminary contact and Devonte Chandler’s deal with denied Fisher’s choice carry the yard wanted for a conversion. 

“On that play, we all know it is fourth-and-1, and I do know Gardner-Webb’s a staff that likes to provide you numerous methods,” Hillman mentioned. “I first wished to ensure the tight finish did not exit for a route, make sure that they did not attempt to get us on a trick play. As soon as I noticed that it was a pace choice the place the quarterback retains on the boundary, I simply went upfield and wished to take shot, as a result of I do know if I take my shot, I bought my guys coming with. 

“We emphasize 11 hats to the soccer,” he continued. “So, if I miss [but] cease [the ball-carrier’s] toes, I do know the remainder of the staff’s coming.” 

Marcus Hillman has been an absolute monster for @ElonFootball to date this season pic.twitter.com/xurjMYNbOE

— Kyle Kensing (@KyleKensing) September 18, 2022

Elon’s philosophy of 11 defenders to the ball was evident on the subsequent drive. Phoenix working again Jalen Hampton, who had an in any other case glorious sport with 204 yards on 34 carries, fumbled on the finish of a long term. The 36-yard sprint — coincidentally, Hampton’s longest of a profession efficiency — that may have iced the win as an alternative referred to as on the protection to bow up as soon as extra. 

In a half Elon dominated, holding Gardner-Webb scoreless in response to a 21-point barrage simply earlier than halftime, the Phoenix saved their finest for this essential drive. 

Three Bulldogs snaps led to 3 Elon sacks: First from Senquavious Alsobrooks, then Josh Johnson (who completed the evening with 2.5 sacks), and at last, Hillman. Nonetheless, Hillman was in on all three performs to place an exclamation level on his sport with a team-leading eight tackles, a go break-up and two quarterback hurries. 

This is the sequence that primarily gained it for @ElonFootball tonight. Sacks on three straight snaps, credited to 3 completely different gamers – although of observe, Marcus Hillman is concerned in all three performs. pic.twitter.com/4gCsQ9owJT

— Kyle Kensing (@KyleKensing) September 18, 2022

“The principle factor mentioned to us is, ‘Get dwelling whenever you blitz,’” Hillman mentioned. “It is one alternative. When the sport is on the road, you wish to get a win at dwelling, it is a staff that beat us earlier than [in the spring 2021 season], you bought to do what you may. Simply do not get blocked.” 

Blocking Hillman’s confirmed troublesome for Elon opponents to date in 2022; comparable might be mentioned of William & Mary’s John Pius. 

Opening the season with 4 tackles for loss within the Tribe’s romp over FBS opponent Charlotte set the tone for Pius by the primary three weeks. He took his output to a different stage in Week 3, racking up 3.5 sacks as William & Mary capped an ideal non-conference schedule with a 34-7 romp at Lafayette. 

Pius is now at a outstanding seven sacks on the season, essentially the most in FCS thus far. 

“It is the ability set of the person,” mentioned Tribe coach Mike London, citing key contributors from the entrance seven like All-American lineman Nate Lynn in addition to Pius.  “John Pius is simply phenomenal in speeding off the sting. He has a pace transfer, an up-and-under transfer, a counter transfer…The coaches do a great job of attempting to assault the protections. They do a great job of attempting to align our greatest pass-rushers on a go defender who is perhaps suspect, after which simply depend on their ability set.” 

Whereas Pius’ game-changing ability set was evident in his 2021 freshman marketing campaign — FloFootball.com pointed to the linebacker as William & Mary’s X-Issue Participant to Watch forward of the season — his otherworldly begin is not only a byproduct of potential. Credit score the NFL for getting ready Pius forward of 2022. 

“[Tribe outside linebackers] Coach [Darryl] Blackstock performed seven years within the NFL, the identical place John performs proper now,” London mentioned. “His ability set is unquestionably one thing particular, however he additionally wished to study the sport and improve his soccer IQ, his acumen, about find out how to be a greater pass-rusher.” 

Blackstock transitioned from an All-ACC school tenure at Virginia — which included his personal three-sack sport towards Georgia Tech — to a seven-year professional profession that included stops with the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals and then-Oakland Raiders. 

London employed Blackstock as a defensive analyst within the head coach’s first season at William & Mary, and Blackstock elevated to outdoors linebackers coach in 2020. His personal experiences as a participant have helped Pius develop into one of many prime defenders within the nation. 

“Coach Blackstock actually helped me rather a lot, breaking down numerous pass-rush movie,” Pius mentioned. “Coach Blackstock performed the sport, performed within the league, so he has numerous expertise with that, numerous information.” 

Close to-Good Passing 

Richmond’s introduction of a new-look offense rooted within the air-raid philosophy was among the many most intriguing CAA storylines heading into this season. However maybe mockingly, the Spiders run sport with standouts Aaron Dykes and Savon Smith set the tone within the first two weeks. 

That modified in Week 3 when quarterback Reece Udinski opened Richmond’s 30-6 rout of Lehigh with a flawless passing stretch. 

“I did not notice that till halftime, when [Richmond sports information director] Matt [McCollester] informed me Reece had began 17-for-17,” Spiders coach Russ Huesman mentioned. “That is unimaginable, however we simply count on him to finish balls, he is such a great participant. Throws an excellent ball.” 

.@ReeceUdinski 👉 slick like 🧈#OneRichmond pic.twitter.com/09ynhKD2bm

— Richmond Spider Soccer (@Spiders_FB) September 17, 2022

With Dykes’ standing coming into the week questionable after he got here out of the Week 2 win over Saint Francis, the Lehigh protection stacked defenders within the field. Offensive coordinator Billy Cosh’s play-calling made the Mountain Hawks pay all day, and the Huesman pointed to the preparation receivers coach Winston October oversaw amongst his place group.

Udinski went 20-of-27 after his good 17-of-17 begin — which might be a great line by itself — and completed the afternoon with a complete of 351 yards. He unfold the ball amongst seven pass-catchers, all of whom made at the least two catches and picked up at the least 27 yards. 

 “Reece is superb,” mentioned vast receiver Leroy Henley, Udinski’s main goal with 9 catches for 127 yards and a landing within the Week 3 win. “He is good, one of many smartest dudes I have been round. He is aware of soccer, and it is good to see him put the work in on a regular basis.” 

Play of the Week: Savon Smith Reveals Off His Arm 

Reece Udinski’s passing was near-spotless in Week 3, however credit score is due one of many Richmond quarterback’s most dependable targets for throwing a ball worthy of the highlight. 

Henley mentioned that the Spiders typically giggle a couple of landing go coming “out of the working backs” throughout apply, however Savon Smith’s execution of a double-pass play was no joke. 

Smith, who already scored through the run and on a reception by the primary two weeks, added a passing rating to his resume at Lehigh when he discovered a wide-open Connor Deveney on a 23-yard toss. 

.@Spiders_FB pulling out ALL the methods 💥Connor Deveney is wide-open for six!

💻 https://t.co/Xv3PX54eT2
➡️ @ESPNCFB pic.twitter.com/D4mE1q8dYL

— CAA Soccer (@CAAFootball) September 17, 2022

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And whereas Richmond gamers may need joked about such a play in apply as Henley described, the staff additionally had some firsthand information that it might work. 

“[The offense] scored on us on protection in camp one time,” Huesman mentioned of the Spiders offense breaking out the decision in apply. “It is a powerful play to defend. I did not know he was calling it. I noticed the backward go to Savon and the primary I am pondering is, Why are we throwing the ball backwards? I by no means need us to throw it backwards. 

“When [the officials] got here out and so they have been going to take a look at it [in review], Billy [Cosh] requested me, ‘Did we throw that factor backwards?’” Huesman continued. “And I mentioned, ‘Oh yeah. I used to be about to get on you about that one.””

Nonetheless Undefeated 

Three CAA groups stay undefeated by the opening stretch with William & Mary and Delaware defending their Prime 25 rankings on Saturday. Hampton joined the Tribe and Blue Hens within the win column, scoring the Pirates second rivalry-game win over the season and staying good forward of their first-ever CAA convention sport subsequent week. 

Hampton held an opponent to single-digits scoring for a second straight week, this time overwhelming Norfolk State in a 17-7 win. The Pirates mixed for a staggering 12 tackles for loss, paced by Mason King with 2.5. 

The Colonial is assured not more than two undefeated groups when September ends, as 3-0 Hampton’s league debut comes at 3-0 Delaware. 

Getting Into The Win Column The Wright Means  

Monmouth’s CAA tenure opened in way more attempting trend than the primary two weeks of fellow newcomer Hampton. The Hawks noticed fourth-quarter leads slip away in losses to each New Hampshire and Fordham. There was no must sweat the ultimate quarter-hour in a 45-6 blowout of Georgetown, nonetheless. 

The Monmouth run sport continued to impress for a second consecutive week, as Jaden Shirden adopted his career-best 299 yards with 139 and a landing on Saturday. Shirden’s was certainly one of 5 speeding scores coming from 4 Hawks, together with Juwon Farri; Frankie Savino; and Owen Wright. 

THROW THOSE 🎩!

Two straight weeks with three scores for @OwenWright_23 😮#FlyHawks pic.twitter.com/ts9yfoVhOA

— Monmouth Soccer (@MUHawksFB) September 17, 2022

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Wright’s two speeding scores and a 3rd landing off a Tony Muskett go additional inflated a number of the most eye-popping statistics of this younger season: 

• Wright is averaging a speeding landing each three carries, with seven whole scores in 21 runs. 
• Wright is chargeable for twice as many factors from working performs (42) as he has carries. 
• Wright is the one non-quarterback ranked within the prime 30 nationally for factors scored (he is No. 15 general). 
• With a receiving landing on Saturday, Wright’s eight whole touchdowns are greater than 42 FCS groups have recorded in as many video games (three).