The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware • Page 19

Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003 Section The News Journal, Wilmington, Del. www.delawareonline.com CisEa tcday Horse racing, C2 College basketball, C4 fl NHL, C4 Baseball, CI 3 Football, C1 4 Scoreboard, CI 5 Look inside the Sunday News Journal for a special section featuring the fall All-State high school teams. News tips for Sports: 324-2801 or sportsdelawareonline.com Sports editor Ron Fritz, 324-2919 NCAA DIVISION l-AA CHAMPIONSHIP BLUE HENS 40, COLGATE 0 1 o) D) DELAWARE ROUTS COLGATE, WINS FIRST I-AA CROWN 9 1 1 fy I i A Nv I I V. I i i i.

V- V. 4 i 1 AV 1 The Nevw JoumatWIUIAM BRETZGEH Delaware wide receiver David Boler eludes the Colgate defense for a 20-yard gain during the first quarter Friday night. Boler caught two touchdown passes in the Blue Hens' victory. Kentucky 17-14 in 1982. "This is the stuff you dream about," senior quarterback Andy Hall said.

"Going out on top, I feel like Michael Jordan right now. "To play your last game in a national championship in front of this type of crowd in this kind of atmosphere in this city and to dominate the way we dominated it has really capped off the last two years for us." Hall completed 12 of 20 passes for 183 yards, with a pair of touchdowns to David Boler. The Hens picked up another 165 yards on the ground, led by Germaine Bennett's 60 yards on 20 carries and Antawn Jenkins' 53 on 14 attempts. Delaware allowed a record-low 23 points in four tournament games. The Hens limited Colgate to 157 total yards.

Walter Payton Award winner Jamaal Branch rushed for just 55 yards on 20 carries. "We went right at them, played our base defense, and had no tricks," said senior strong safety Mike Adams, whose 10 tackles led Delaware. "We got the job done. The shutout is definitely a bonus." Delaware's first four national football titles came through wire-service polls in 1946 See HENS C7 COMPLETE HENS COVERAGE Sticking to their runs Colgate ground game stymied by UD. Article, C6 Martin Frank's take Hens dominant throughout playoffs.

Article, C7 Throughout the game Highlights and stats from each quarter Article, C8-9 Blue Hen Nation Fans paint the town blue and yellow. Article, CIO Championship images Delaware's win in photographs. Article, Cll By KEVIN TRESOLINI Staff reporter CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Upon his hiring as coach last year, K.C. Keeler promised a national football championship sooner rather than later for the University of Delaware.

The Blue Hens delivered it Friday night, quicker than even their optimistic coach likely envisioned on that March 2002 afternoon when he said, "We're here to have the best I-AA program in the country" Now, Delaware does, thanks to a 40-0 rout of Colgate in the NCAA Division I-AA title game at Max Finley Stadium. The defense posted the first shutout in the 26-year history of the I-AA title game It also was the most lopsided result in I-AA finals history More than 5,000 Delaware fans in an announced turnout of 14.281 heralded the win, many swarming onto the field at the game's conclusion to celebrate. Delaware (15-1) won its sixth national football title but first since 1979, when it was a Division II school Delaware moved up to I-AA the following year and had reached the title game just once since, losing to Eastern 1 2 The News JoumafGINGER WALL Delaware's Kyle Campbell (left) gets a hug from Mike Adams at end of the Blue Hens' win Friday night. LEBRON LIGHTS UP 76ERS LeBron James ends Cleveland's 34-game road losing streak with his 36 points, leading the Cavaliers to an 88-81 victory over the 76ers. PAGE C3 MILLWOOD STAYS WITH PHILLIES Pitcher Kevin Millwood accepts the Phillies' offer of salary arbitration.

General manager Ed Wade wants to sign Millwood to a one-year contract now, but will discuss a longer deal. PAGE C13 MATCHUP OF ALL-PROS Pro Bowl cornerback Bobby Taylor of the Eagles prepares for a battle this Sunday with Terrell Owens, the 49ers' All-Pro wide receiver. PAGE CI 4 r. tii Amii fcin ii tmn A APRUSTY KENNEDY APSe.