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The first game of the Vince Luvara era started strong, but Hampden-Sydney just couldn’t respond to the Delaware Valley attack. The Tigers lost 41-21 on Saturday, despite a game-high and career-high day from sophomore running back Terry Hicks, who rushed for 107 yards and one touchdown on the afternoon. 

Hampden-Sydney got on the scoreboard first. The Tigers went 71 yards on nine plays during the opening possession, culminating in Hicks running in from nine yards out. In his first collegiate start, Hicks had five carries for 46 yards during that scoring drive. Delaware Valley, with six straight NCAA playoff appearances and receiving votes in both the AFCA Division III Preseason Coaches Poll and the D3football.com Preseason Top 25, answered back quickly after a miscue on the kickoff put the ball at its own one-yard line. Barrios found Morgan for a 99-yard touchdown pass on the first offensive play by the Aggies, and the PAT kick by Brendan Hazell tied at 7-7 with 10:47 on the clock.

DelVal would add two more touchdowns in the second quarter via the same connection, Barrios to Morgan-the first a 45-yard pass play at 8:59, and the second a two-yard pass with just 19-seconds remaining in the opening half. Hazell added the first PAT kick, but missed the second, and the visitors led 20-7 at halftime.

Delaware Valley added two more touchdowns to begin the third quarter, both defensive scores. Jacquez Mabin scored on a 13-yard fumble recovery at 7:52, and Barry Turner scored on a 45-yard fumble recovery at 6:18. Hazell made both PAT kicks for the 34-7 advantage.

Hampden-Sydney responds

The Tigers got back on the scoreboard late in the third quarter when junior quarterback Carter Sido connected with sophomore receiver Ethan Dowdy. The 13-yard catch, Dowdy’s first collegiate score, made it 34-14 after an extra point by kicker Elijah Swett. The Aggies pushed the margin to 41-14 with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Barrios to Jasiah Davis at 6:49, along with the PAT kick by Hazell.

The final score of the game came with 4:55 left to play, as Barton scored his first collegiate touchdown on a two-yard run. Swett added the PAT kick after the seven-play, 69-yard drive that featured a 27-yard pass from Sido to Dowdy, and a 20-yard pass from Sido to Lasso to set-up the late TD. That wrapped things up at 41-21 on the day. 

Breaking down the numbers

Hicks rushed for his game-high and career-high 107 yards on a career-high 19 attempts and one touchdown, adding one reception for two yards receiving for Hampden-Sydney. Barton added 53 yards rushing on 14 attempts and one touchdown, as well. Sido passed for 144 yards (15-28-1) and one touchdown with one interception. Lasso had a career-high 77 yards receiving on a career-high six receptions, while Dowdy had a career-high 63 yards receiving on a career-high seven receptions and one touchdown.

Junior linebacker and team captain Robert Clarke finished with a team-high and career-high seven tackles, including one for loss, while making his first collegiate start for the Tigers. Junior nose tackle Andrew Arthur-Humphrey added a career-high six tackles, including one for loss, as well, in his first collegiate game in the Garnet & Grey. Freshman defensive end Jordan Williams also had six tackles, including a half-sack, in his first collegiate game, as well.

Barrios passed for a game-high 263 yards (11-19-0) and four touchdowns with no interceptions for Delaware Valley, adding 21 yards rushing on seven attempts. Jack Fallon finished with 64 yards rushing on 15 attempts. Morgan had a game-high 159 yards receiving on four receptions and three touchdowns. Mabin, a D3football.com Preseason All-American, finished with a game-high 13 tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble and the fumble recovery returned for a touchdown for the Aggies.

When does Hampden-Sydney play next?

Hampden-Sydney plays on the road at non-conference opponent Brevard (NC) College next Saturday, September 14, at 1 p.m. in Brevard, North Carolina.