The Delaware Blue Hens scored on their first play against Towson on Saturday and cruised to a 51-13 victory to remain undefeated in Coastal Athletic Association play. 

Delaware senior quarterback Zach Marker, who made his first career start last week, got the nod again against the Tigers and opened the scoring with a 75-yard touchdown strike to senior running back Marcus Yarns. 

The two continued to dominate the box score and the Towson defense through the first half, giving the Blue Hens a 38-0 lead at the break.

Marker completed his first 16 passes on the day, going 16-for-18 overall for 307 yards and two touchdowns. The second score was a 12-yard toss to graduate tight end Braden Brose in the second quarter. 

Yarns accounted for five touchdowns in the game. Along with the reception to open the action, he rushed 13 times for 63 yards and four scores. He finished with four receptions in the contest for 105 yards.

With the game in hand, Marker stepped aside in the second half, and freshman quarterback Nick Minicucci took the reins. Minicucci was 6-for-8 for 79 yards. 

Collectively, Delaware passed for 386 yards in the game and rushed for another 233, and the Blue Hens’ 619 yards of total offense was just shy of breaking the record for most yards given up by Towson in a single game. That mark stands at 630 yards and came against William & Mary in 2006.

Of the near-record production from Delaware, 403 yards came in the first half, while the Blue Hens held Towson to just 41 total yards. The Tigers actually had the yardage advantage in the second half, 285-216.

Subscribe To Watch Delaware Take On Towson In Week 9 Of 2023

Delaware Vs. Towson Prediction & More CAA Picks For Week 9

Delaware Football In 2023: What To Know About The Blue Hens

Towson Football In 2023: What To Know About The Tigers

With the win, the team’s sixth consecutive victory, Delaware improves to 7-1 on the season and 5-0 in CAA play. 

The Blue Hens are the only team still undefeated in conference play, while Elon and Richmond entered the week at 4-1. Villanova and UAlbany both entered Week 9 at 3-1 in conference competition.

Delaware came into Week 9 ranked No. 5 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and No. 6 in the American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches Poll.

The loss drops Towson to 3-5 on the year and 2-3 in CAA games. The Tigers were coming off a come-from-behind win over then-No. 13-ranked William & Mary.

Towson’s first score Saturday against Delaware was a field goal from junior kicker Keegan Vaughan, who was 12-of-15 for the year and added two more on two attempts against the Blue Hens. Of his three misses in 2023, two were blocked. 

The Tigers’ fourth-quarter touchdown Saturday, an 11-yard pass from redshirt junior quarterback Nathan Kent to sophomore wide receiver Zay Perkins, ended a streak of 13 consecutive quarters in which Delaware had not given up an offensive touchdown. 

Kent finished the game 21-of-39 for 265 yards, and the Tigers ended the game with 326 yards of total offense.

Up next for Towson is conference matchup with CAA newcomer North Carolina A&T next Saturday in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

Delaware will return home after back-to-back road games and host Elon at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware. Elon did not play this week.

Highlights: Delaware Vs. Towson | 2023 CAA Football

Watch the complete highlights from the Delaware vs. Towson football game on Oct. 28, 2003.

Final Stats From Delaware Football At Towson Football

Tigers Turn Over Ball On Downs

An potential 11-yard touchdown strike from Nathan Kent to Carter Runyon with less than 25 seconds left in the game is reviewed and overturned. 

Delaware takes over on downs and takes a knee to end the game.

Blue Hens win 51-13.

Delaware Adds Another Field Goal Against Towson

Delaware added another field goal from Nate Reed - 29 yards - to extend the score to 51-13 with just over two minutes to play.

Delaware Passes 600-Yard Mark Against Towson Football

With just over three minutes remaining in the game, Delaware crossed the 600-yard mark on the day. 

According to the Towson record book, the most yards the Tigers ever allowed in a game was 630 against William & Mary in 2006.

Defensive Streak Ends For Delaware Blue Hens

Entering Saturday's game against Towson, the Delaware Blue Hens hadn't allowed an offensive touchdown in 10 quarters.

That streak extended into the fourth quarter against Towson, before the Tigers registered an 11-yard touchdown pass from Nathan Kent to Zay Perkins.

Towson Tigers Score Touchdown

Towson quarterback Nathan Kent throws an 11-yard touchdown pass up the middle to sophomore wide receiver Zay Perkins to give the Tigers their first touchdown of the day.

Keegan Vaughan adds the extra point to bring the score to 48-13.

Towson Wastes No Time Getting Into Red Zone

First, a 26-yard pass from Nathan Kent to Lukkas Londono. 

Then, a short gain from Devin Matthews and a short pass from Kent to Brady Mcelhaney. 

Delaware Fumbles, Towson Recovers

Freshman running back Saeed St. Fleur coughed up the ball on a rush attempt, and Towson's CJ McClendon was able to recover at the Delaware 49-yard line.

Towson Settles For Field Goal

On fourth-and-3, Towson decides to go for the field goal.

Keegan Vaughan puts it through from 34 yards. 

Delaware leads 48-6.

Delaware Football Answers Against Towson

The Blue Hens started their ensuing drive on their own 32 and marched 62 yards on eight plays to add another score.

Nate Reed ended the drive with a 23-yard field goal to make the score 48-3.

Towson Football Gets On The Board Against Delaware

Junior kicker Keegan Vaughan puts Towson on the board with a 31-yard field goal.

He's 13-of-16 for the year, with two of those attempts being blocked.

Delaware leads 45-3 with 6:10 left in the third quarter.

Delaware Football Records

The Delaware record for rushing touchdowns in a game is six, accomplished by Omar Cuff against William & Mary in 2007.

The most touchdowns overall, also the CAA record at the time, was set that day by Cuff, who scored seven times in the game.

Will Marcus Yarns get there Saturday against Towson? 

The NCAA record for "most touchdowns responsible for in a game" is eight.

Delaware Opens Second-Half Scoring 

Nick Minicucci connects with JoJo Bermudez for a 39-yard pass to get the Blue Hens into the red zone.

Senior running back Marcus Yarns runs it up the middle for a 5-yard score. It's his fifth touchdown of the day (fourth rushing). 

Blue Hens lead 45-0 after Nate Reed adds extra point.

Freshman Quarterback Steps In For Delaware Blue Hens

Freshman Nick Minicucci starts the second half for Delaware. He entered the game with four completions on six attempts this season. 

He takes over Zach Marker, who was 16-for-18 in the first half for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

Delaware Football And Towson Football Enter Second Half

Towson gets the ball at its own 25 to start the second half.

Tigers start with 15-yard pass from Nathan Kent to Carter Runyon. Here comes Towson!

Last week against William & Mary, Towson was down 17-3 at the half and won 34-24.

Delaware Football Dominating At Towson

35 points in one half for @Delaware_FB This offense cannot stop scoring today. @CAAFootball pic.twitter.com/ET5eapporS

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) October 28, 2023

First-Half Stats From Delaware At Towson 

Towson Punts Again, Second Quarter Winds Down

Towson punts for the third time in the first half. Blue Hens take over and take a knee.

The first half ends with Delaware leading 38-0.

Delaware Blue Hens Extend Lead To 38-0

Nate Reed kicks a 29-yard field goal to extend the Blue Hens' lead to 38-0. 

There's less than a minute left in the first half. Towson will get the ball at its own 25-yard line.

Delaware Football QB Zach Marker Misses

Delaware's Zach Marker completed his first 16 passes, before missing. 

In the first half, he's 16-for-18 for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

The Delaware record for yards passing in a game is 556, done by Matt Nagy against Connecticut in 1998.

Towson Finally Crosses Midfield

The Tigers made it into Delaware territory. Yardage-wise, it's 323-41 through 21 minutes of play.

Towson has 12 yards passing. 

The drive fizzles out. Towson punts. Delaware will take over on their own 8-yard line. There's 8:28 left in the half.

Delaware Football Not Slowing Down In Second Quarter

Zach Marker connects with graduate tight end Braden Brose for a 12-yard touchdown strike. Delaware leads 34-0. 

Nate Reed adds the extra point to make it 35-0.

Marker is 13-for-13 for 276 yards and two touchdown passes. 

By The Numbers - Delaware Vs. Towson

In the opening quarter, the Blue Hens offense had 265 yards, compared to 15 yards for Towson.

Delaware QB Zach Marker is 11-for-11 for 225 yards and a touchdown.

Time of possession - Delaware 13 minutes, Towson 2 minutes

The Play That Started It All For The Delaware Blue Hens

Check out the first touchdown of Delaware's meeting with Towson

Starting off hot 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BOx6hVEccI

— Delaware Football (@Delaware_FB) October 28, 2023

Delaware Blue Hens Rolling, Lead 28-0

Another direct snap to Marcus Yarns, who runs it in for a 5-yard touchdown.

Yarns has rushed six times for 23 yards and three touchdowns, and he also has a 75-yard touchdown reception.

The Blue Hens add a two-point conversion - Jourdan Townsend passes to Joshua Youngblood. Delaware leads 28-0.

Towson Can't Handle Kickoff, Delaware Recovers

Towson's Charles Peeples unable to pick up the tumbling football, as he appeared to start running before having a hold of it. Delaware recovers.

Blue Hens take ball on Towson 27-yard line.

Delaware Football Finds End Zone

On second and goal from the 3-yard line, and Marcus Yarns runs it up the middle for his third touchdown of the day.

The Blue Hens have 238 yards of offense, and there's still five minutes left in the first quarter.

Nate Reed misses the PAT attempt. Blue Hens lead 20-0.

Delaware Quarterback Zach Marker Still Perfect

In nine minutes of play, Marker is 8-for-8 for 202 yards and a touchdown.

Delaware Blue Hens Get Interception

Graduate defensive back Tyron Herring intercepts Towson quarterback Nathan Kent's deep pass that was intended for Devin Matthews.

Delaware Football Scores Again, Leads 14-0

The snap goes straight to senior running back Marcus Yarns, who runs up the middle for a 8-yard touchdown run. Delaware leads 13-0.

The run was Yarns' 10th rushing TD of the year.

Junior kicker Nate Reed adds the extra point to make it 14-0.

It was a 93-yard drive for the Blue Hens.

Delaware's Zach Marker Hitting Targets

Marker, a senior, made his first career start last week, and he's off to a strong start against Towson. In less than five minutes Saturday, he has two passes for 50+ yards. 

He started the game 4-for-4 for 154 yards and a touchdown. WOW!

Delaware Blue Hens Score On First Play

The first play is a wide receiver screen. Senior quarterback Zach Marker connects with Marcus Yarns for a 75-yard touchdown pass. Blue Hens go up 6-0.

Junior kicker Nate Reed adds the extra point to make it 7-0.

Towson Kicks Off To Start Game

The Delaware Blue Hens will get the ball to start the game.

When Is The Delaware Vs. Towson Football Game?

Delaware will take on Towson at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, Maryland, on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. ET.

How To Watch The Delaware Vs. Towson Football Game

Football action is streaming live on FloFootball and the FloSports app, including the Delaware vs. Towson football game during Week 9. 

Replays and postgame highlights also will be available on both platforms. 

Towson Football Posts Starters For Delaware Game

Check out who's starting Saturday against the Blue Hens

Your (probable) starters vs. Delaware!#GohTigers | #Arete pic.twitter.com/X6rRe7ECAg

— Towson Football (@Towson_FB) October 28, 2023

*Delaware starters not yet posted.

Today In The CAA

Check out the scores from around the CAA today:

*UAlbany def. Maine, 37-21
 *William & Mary def. Monmouth, 31-28
 *Rhode Island def. New Hampshire, 34-28
 *Villanova def. Stony Brook, 48-13
 *Hampton def. N.C. A&T, 26-24
 *Richmond def. Campbell 44-13

*Streaming live on FloSports

Pink Game For Towson

Saturday’s meeting with Delaware is Towson’s annual Pink Game. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Tigers will have pink accents on their uniforms, and the first 1,500 fans will receive co-branded pink rally towels, courtesy of Donovan WaterWorks.

Pink Game tomorrow.#GohTigers | #Arete pic.twitter.com/ZDBZ0owX8w

— Towson Football (@Towson_FB) October 27, 2023

Delaware Defense

The Delaware defense has been at the top of its game over the last two weeks, holding North Carolina A&T (31) and Hampton (73) to a combined 104 yards passing.

For the year, the Blue Hens are allowing 171.43 yards per game through the air and 161.4 yards per game on the ground.

Wide receivers beware. 🚫 pic.twitter.com/HTHeTLIG85

— Delaware Football (@Delaware_FB) October 24, 2023

New-Look Towson Football Finding Its Footing

Fast Fact: Towson is led by first-year head coach Pete Shinnick. He’s not the only newcomer to the program this year, as the Tigers’ roster also includes 44 new players – 28 transfers and 16 true freshmen or first-year players. 

Only 11 starters returned from the 2022 team that went 6-5 overall and 4-4 in CAA play.

Recent Changes At QB For Delaware Blue Hens

Fast Fact: Senior quarterback Zach Marker made the first start of his career last week against Hampton. He connected on 17-of-28 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown and rushed eight times for 37 yards and another touchdown.

For the year, Marker is 24-of-42 for 344 yards and a score, plus two interceptions. 

Junior QB Ryan O’Connor has handled most of the snaps this year. He’s 100-for-170 for 1,299 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

O’Connor did not play against Hampton last week.

Who’s On The Call For UD Football Vs. Towson Football?

The broadcasters for the Delaware vs. Towson football game Saturday will be Spiro Morekas (play by play) and Gordy Combs (analyst).

Watch: CAA Top 10 Plays Of The Week | Week 8

Check out the Top 10 CAA Plays of the Week from Week 8.

Other CAA Football News This Week

One of the four players who earned who earned a weekly award from the CAA Football this week was Towson’s sophomore linebacker Rodney Roane Jr., who had two sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry – all in the final quarter of the Tigers’ 34-24 upset road win against William & Mary.

Read about all the award winners: CAA Football Announces Week 8 Award Winners

CAA Football Awards For Delaware And Towson This Season

• Delaware
  KT Seay (freshman defensive back), Rookie of the Week, Sept. 18
  Khalil Dawsey (graduate defensive back), Co-Defensive Player of the Week, Sept. 25
  Jackson Taylor (graduate linebacker), Defensive Player of the Week, Oct. 16
• Towson
  Nathan Kent (junior quarterback), Co-Offensive Player of the Week, Oct. 2
  Rodney Roane Jr. (sophomore linebacker), Defensive Player of the Week, Oct. 23

Last Week’s Highlights For Delaware And Towson

Highlights: Towson Vs. William & Mary | 2023 CAA Football

Highlights: Delaware Vs. Hampton | 2023 CAA Football

Things To Watch This Week, Courtesy Of The CAA

Delaware Football Schedule 2023

All times Eastern

• Aug. 31: Delaware 37, Stony Brook 13 (W)
• Sept. 9: Penn State 63, Delaware 7 (L)
• Sept. 16: Delaware 42, Saint Francis (Pennsylvania) 14 (W)
• Sept. 23: Delaware 29, New Hampshire 25 (W)
• Oct. 7: Delaware 43, Duquesne 17 (W)
• Oct. 14: Delaware 21, North Carolina A&T 6 (W)
• Oct. 21: Delaware 47, Hampton 3 (W)
• Oct. 28: at Towson, 1 p.m. EST, FloSports
• Nov. 4: Elon, 1 p.m. EST, FloSports
• Nov. 11: at Campbell, 1 p.m. EST, FloSports
• Nov. 18: Villanova, 1 p.m. EST, FloSports

Towson Football Schedule 2023

All times Eastern

• Sept. 2: Maryland 38, Towson 6 (L)
• Sept. 9: Monmouth 42, Towson 23 (L)
• Sept. 16: Towson 20, Morgan State 10 (W)
• Sept. 23: Norfolk State 21, Towson 14 (L)
• Sept. 30: Towson 54, New Hampshire 51 (OT) (W)
• Oct. 7: UAlbany 24, Towson 17 (L)
• Oct. 21: Towson 34, William & Mary 24 (W)
• Oct. 28: Delaware, 1 p.m. ET, FloSports
• Nov. 4: at North Carolina A&T, 1p.m. ET, FloSports
• Nov. 11: at Villanova, 1 p.m. ET, FloSports
• Nov. 18: Rhode Island, 1 p.m. ET, FloSports

The Week 9 CAA Football Schedule

Here’s what the CAA action looks like this week. All times are Eastern.

Saturday, Oct. 28
*UAlbany at Maine, 1 p.m.
*Monmouth at William & Mary, 1 p.m.
*Delaware at Towson, 1 p.m.
*New Hampshire at Rhode Island, 1 p.m.
*Stony Brook at Villanova, 2 p.m.
*N.C. A&T at Hampton, 2 p.m.
*Campbell at Richmond, 3:30 p.m.

*Streaming live on FloSports

2023 CAA Football Standings

FCS Football Rankings In Week 9

Here is the Week 9 Stats Perform FCS Top 25

Others Receiving Votes (schools listed on two or more ballots): Holy Cross 146; Harvard 113; UAlbany 112; New Hampshire 74; Fordham 51; Tennessee State 18; Eastern Washington 7; Penn 7; Weber State 6; Lamar 4.

Archived Footage On FloFootball

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloFootball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

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