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Troubles continue for UNH

DURHAM – Senior defensive end Kyle Reisert (Plymouth) returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown to highlight the defensive effort, but the University of New Hampshire football team turned the ball over four times (three interceptions) and fell to No. 24 Delaware, 38-14, Saturday at Wildcat Stadium.

UNH fell to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Delaware improved to 5-2 and 3-1.

“Very frustrating. I think everybody in the program is frustrated — players, coaches, fans … everybody,” UNH coach Sean McDonnell said. “This is not what we’re accustomed to and how we’re supposed to play.”

Delaware defensive lineman Cam Kitchen intercepted a Trevor Knight pass on the UNH 14-yard line and returned the ball to the 8 with 59 seconds left in the first half. One play later Joe Walker scored on an 8-yard run that helped the Blue Hens take a 17-7 lead.

“Huge play,” Delaware coach Danny Rocco said. “It extended the lead and it kind of gave us control. It kind of felt like we were in control of the game, but the scoreboard wasn’t (showing) that. That kind of made it feel like we’re back in control of this football game.”

Delaware added two touchdowns in the third quarter and had a 31-7 lead entering the fourth.

The Blue Hens also scored on a 92-yard kickoff return early in the fourth.

“Our special teams were really solid in the game,” Delaware coach Danny Rocco said. “Momentum plays. Impact plays. Thought defensively we were really solid in the game. We were opportunistic. We took the ball away.”

Running back Evan Gray scored UNH’s only offensive touchdown on a 1-yard run with 2:57 left in the first half. UNH forced a Delaware punt on the ensuing possession, but Kitchen’s interception came on the first play after the punt. Gray gained 75 yards on 17 carries.

UNH running back Evan Gray led all rushers with 17 carries for 75 yards. Senior wide receiver Neil O’Connor (Leominster, Mass.) caught six catches for 66 yards.

The UNH defense held Delaware to 177 yards of total offense and 83 yards rushing. The Blue Hens came in averaging 349 yards a game total and 125.3 yards rushing.

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