NEWARK, Del. (AP) _ Derrick Downs and Brett Veach scored two touchdowns each Saturday as Delaware racked up a season-high 552 offensive yards in a 35-0 rout of Rhode Island.

Downs, who started for the injured Butter Pressey, erupted for a career-high 169 yards. James O'Neal added 140 yards on 12 carries to pace the team's season-high 391 yards rushing.

``This was the best we've played this year,'' said Delaware head coach Tubby Raymond. ``We finally ran like we are capable.''

Downs started the scoring on a 3-yard run with 7:31 left in the first quarter. The Hens took a 14-0 lead at the start of the second quarter on a 12-yard touchdown pass from senior Brian Ginn to Veach.

Veach extended the lead to 21-0 when he scored his first collegiate rushing touchdown midway through the second quarter. The 9-yard scamper was set up by O'Neal's 69-yard run, Delaware's longest play from scrimmage this season.

Downs scored his second touchdown of the day when Delaware drove 80 yards in four plays to start the second half. O'Neal capped the scoring on Delaware's next possession with an 8-yard touchdown run.

Delaware (7-3, 5-2 Atlantic 10) held Rhode Island (1-9, 1-6) to 215 total yards and eight first downs, including just 82 yards and two first downs in the second half, in posting its first shutout in two years.