NEWARK, DEL. – Monmouth University's football team struck first on a long touchdown run but #16 Delaware eventually overpowered the Hawks at home, cruising to a 49-17 win on Saturday afternoon.
 
Sophomore running back Jaden Shirden finished with 202 yards rushing on 26 carries for a 7.8 yards per carry. Quarterback Noah Henderson tied a Delaware record with five passing touchdowns, throwing for 323 yards on 22-of-28 passing.
 
On the second play from scrimmage Shirden took the handoff inside and broke out to the right going 69 yards for his 12^th touchdown of the year. The Blue Hens answered on their ensuing drive, one that lasted nine plays including a fourth and long conversion. It took three plays for UD to take their first lead of the game on a Noah Henderson to Jourdan Townsend 49-yard pass completion with just under nine minutes left in the game. Eric Berstein's chip shot field goal cut the Hen lead to 14-10 with 2:47 left in the first quarter.
 
Monmouth's defense got its first stop of the game but fumbled the ensuing punt and the Blue Hens scored their third touchdown of the opening frame on an eight-yard pass completion. The Blue Hens pushed their lead to 42-10 at the half after amassing 365 yards of offense. Each team recorded a touchdown in the second half, with senior Juwon Farri creasing the defense for a 20-yard score late in the fourth quarter.
 

• Shirden's 69-yard touchdown was his seventh touchdown run of 50+ yards this season
• Shirden went over 100-yards for the game on his fourth carry of the game, the third consecutive game he's gone over the century mark and the eighth game overall.
• Shirden's 202 rushing yards marked his fourth 200-yard game on the season and it is the 16^th 200-yard game in program history. 
• Enzo Arjona started his second consecutive game, finishing with 90 yards on 8-of-19 passing
• Dymere Miller led the Hawks with four receptions for 35 yards
• Monmouth is now 0-2 all-time against Delaware

NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Each team was at least 50% on third down, with Monmouth finishing 7-of-14 and UD going 5-of-9
• Delaware was 1-1 on fourth down, Monmouth was 0-for-3
• Delaware had six sacks on the day
• The Blue Hens held a 30-18 advantage in first downs
• Delaware outgained the Hawks 506-332 in the contest

 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will have a rare week 10 bye next week before returning home to face Stony Brook on senior day. Tickets for the 12 PM start between the Hawks and Seawolves are available at MonmouthHawks.com/tickets