TOWSON, MD -- Towson University running back Nick Williams rushed for a career-high 169 yards and two fourth quarter touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 38 seconds remaining, to lead the Tigers to a 35-31 upset of fifth-ranked Delaware in Atlantic 10 football action Saturday night at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

The Blue Hens, who dropped to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference, trailed 28-24 late in the fourth quarter before senior quarterback Sonny Riccio (right) capped an 81-yard drive by scoring on a three-yard run around the left side to give Delaware a three-point lead with 1:17 remaining.

However the Tigers answered, as quarterback Sean Schaefer found Andre Brown for a 42-yard pass completion on third down to move Towson to the Delaware 31 yardline. Schaefer then found Marcus Lee for a 20-yard completion, and a roughing the passer penalty on Delaware moved the ball to the Blue Hen three. Williams then found the end zone on a three-yard run on the ensuing play to put the Tigers ahead for good. Delaware had one last chance, but Riccio’s desperation pass was intercepted by the Tigers’ Eric Clark.

Towson, which improved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the league by winning its first-ever Atlantic 10 game in 11 tries, jumped out to a 21-3 advantage early in the third quarter before the Blue Hens responded with 21 consecutive points to take their first lead of the game. Riccio connected with wide receiver Joe Bleymaier for a seven-yard scoring
strike, and sophomore running back Omar Cuff caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Riccio to bring the Blue Hens within four.

Riccio again found Bleymaier in the end zone from eight yards out with 9:43 remaining in the game to cap the run and put Delaware ahead 24-21. However the Tigers responded as Williams scored on a 17-yard run with 4:15 left to give Towson a 28-24 lead.

The Tigers opened the scoring with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter when Schaefer connected with Eric Yancey on a 45-yard touchdown pass, and Kerry Miles scored on a 1-yard run with 11:41 to play in the second quarter to make it a 14-0 game. Blue Hen freshman Zach Hobby kicked a 25-yard field goal, the first of his career, with 5:15 to go in the half to cut the Towson lead to 14-3 at the break, but Miles scored on a two-yard scamper with 10:52 left in the third quarter to make it 21-3 before Delaware began its comeback.

“We have no excuses,” Delaware fourth-year head coach K.C. Keeler said. “In this league you have to come to play every night, especially on the road, and we didn’t. We had a lot of backups playing tonight due to injuries, but we expect them to come in and play like starters.”

“This was a tough loss,” said Riccio, who also punted during the second half after starter Mike Weber went down with an injury. “We just have to get our offense started earlier, and that’s going to be our focus this week.”

Riccio finished 22-for-39 for 241 yards and three touchdowns, while Cuff ran 26 times for 127 yards. Cuff went over the 100-yard mark for the sixth straight game, tying a school record set by Gardy Kahoe in 1971.

Schaefer finished 19-for-34 for 274 yards and one touchdown in the game, which was witnessed by a stadium-record crowd of 10,778 fans.

The Blue Hens return home Saturday, October 8 to host Hofstra at 12 noon on Homecoming.

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