Minicucci accounts for six touchdowns as Delaware beats Missouri State, 61-38

Nick Minicucci threw five touchdown passes and ran for another as Delaware scored 30 consecutive second-half points to beat Missouri State 61-38 on Tuesday night in Newark.

Minicucci tied the school’s single-game passing-touchdown record in his return after missing two games with an injury. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 225 yards with one interception, helping Delaware end a three-game losing streak and improve to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in Conference USA.

The Blue Hens needed that production against a Missouri State offense led by receiver Isaiah Myers. Myers caught 11 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, the second-highest receiving-yardage total in school history, according to Missouri State’s postgame report.

Delaware turns the second half

The Bears led 28-24 at halftime and regained the advantage at 35-31 on Connor Lair’s one-yard touchdown run with 10:33 left in the third quarter. They did not score again until a late field goal, after Delaware had taken control.

Minicucci put the Blue Hens back ahead with a three-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sessoms at 7:50 of the third. A one-yard Minicucci run extended the lead to 45-35 with 4:01 remaining in the period.

Jo Silver’s three-yard touchdown run early in the fourth made it 52-35. Minicucci then found Donovan Lewis for a three-yard score, his fifth passing touchdown, before Tucker Smack’s 25-yard field goal completed Delaware’s 30-point run.

Delaware scored 20 points off three Missouri State turnovers. The Blue Hens finished with 482 total yards, including 232 rushing yards, and converted all five fourth-down attempts. They held the ball for 34:43.

Silver ran for 101 yards on 13 carries and also caught a 12-yard touchdown pass. Minicucci’s five scoring throws went to five receivers: Bryson Graves, Scott Moore, Silver, Sessoms and Lewis.

Myers keeps the Bears in it early

Henry Belin IV completed 26 of 35 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions. Both scoring passes went to Myers, from 11 and six yards, as Missouri State built its halftime lead.

The Bears also got a 47-yard interception-return touchdown from J.J. O’Neal late in the first quarter. Lair rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, while Jmariyae Robinson caught 10 passes for 85 yards.

Missouri State finished with 431 yards but was penalized 12 times for 100 yards. The loss left the Bears at 2-5 overall and 1-2 in CUSA.

Both teams return to conference play October 27. Delaware travels to Western Kentucky, while Missouri State hosts Sam Houston.