2014 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team
The 2014 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team represented the University of Delaware in the 2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Dave Brock and played their home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware. They were a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). They finished the season 6–6, 4–4 in CAA play, to finish in a four-way tie for fifth place.
2014 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football | |
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Conference | Colonial Athletic Association |
2014 record | 6–6 (4–4 CAA) |
Head coach | Dave Brock (2nd season) |
Offensive coordinator | Sean Devine (2nd season) |
Offensive scheme | Multiple |
Co-defensive coordinator | Dennis Dottin-Carter (1st season) |
Co-defensive coordinator | Tim Weaver (2nd season) |
Base defense | 4–3 |
Home stadium | Delaware Stadium (Capacity: 22,000) |
2014 Colonial Athletic Association football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 3 New Hampshire $^ | 8 | – | 0 | 12 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 7 Villanova ^ | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 18 James Madison ^ | 6 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 16 Richmond ^ | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
William & Mary | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Delaware | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maine | 4 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stony Brook | 4 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Albany | 3 | – | 5 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Towson | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rhode Island | 1 | – | 7 | 1 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elon | 0 | – | 8 | 1 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Previous season
Delaware would start strong through the beginning of November, reaching a record of 7–2 (4–1 CAA) following a thrilling win at Towson. However, from that point, the Hens faded with a three-game losing streak to end the year at 7–5 (4–4 CAA). The slide was particularly painful for the faithful with the last loss coming from a frantic Villanova comeback to eliminate the Hens from playoff contention.
Preseason
Recruiting class
Delaware announced the signing of 22 players on February 5, 2014.
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40‡ | Commit date |
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Ryley Angeline ATH |
Chester Springs, PA | Downingtown East HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 218 lb (99 kg) | – | Aug 5, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Charles Bell LB |
Conestoga, PA | Penn Manor HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | – | Dec 8, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Malcolm Brown DB |
Gaithersburg, MD | Quince Orchard HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | – | Dec 11, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Tre Brown WR |
Harrisburg, PA | Milton Hershey HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 4.42 | Aug 16, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Mario Farinella OL |
Bloomfield, NJ | Bergen Catholic HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | 5.0 | Aug 24, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Troy Gallen WR |
Glen Mills, PA | Malvern Prep | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 4.36 | Aug 13, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Andrew Grau TE |
Rehoboth Beach, DE | Cape Henlopen HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | – | Feb 5, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Maurice Harley DB |
Upper Marlboro, MD | St. John's College HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | – | Feb 5, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Anthony Jackson LB |
Riverdale, MD | Suitland HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 4.7 | Sep 16, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Quai Jefferson WR |
Woodland Park, NJ | St Joseph Regional HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 188 lb (85 kg) | – | Nov 5, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Thomas Jefferson RB |
Prospect Park, NJ | Passaic Tech | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | – | Jan 26, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
James Kretkowski OL |
Mineola, NY | Oceanside HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | – | Dec 8, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
John Nassib DE |
West Chester, PA | Malvern Prep | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | – | Nov 20, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Bilal Nichols DL |
Newark, DE | Hodgson Vo-Tech | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | – | Nov 18, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Jethro Pepe OL |
Colonia, NJ | St. Joseph's HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | – | Aug 16, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Jake Powell TE |
Marlton, NJ | Cherokee HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | – | Aug 12, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Frank Raggo K |
Randolph, NJ | Randolph HS | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 163 lb (74 kg) | – | Feb 5, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Donte Raymond LB |
Rahway, NJ | Rahway HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | – | Jan 20, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Bryan Reed OL |
Mount Sinai, NY | Mount Sinai HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 291 lb (132 kg) | – | Jul 31, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Joseph Walker QB |
Philadelphia, PA | Martin Luther King HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 207 lb (94 kg) | 4.57 | Dec 29, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Brandon Whaley TE |
Haymarket, VA | Battlefield HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | 4.8 | Oct 2, 2013 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Kareem Williams RB |
Schnecksville, PA | Parkland HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 4.49 | Jan 24, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: | ||||||
Sources:
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Transfers
Three players transferred into Delaware for the 2014 Season:
Player | Position | Previous School | Hometown |
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C.J. Jones | DB | Boston College | Wilmington, DE |
Blake Rankin | QB | Rutgers | Bloomsburg, PA |
Anthony Speziale | OL | Wagner | Manahawkin, NJ |
Preseason awards
- Nick Boyle – CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team (Tight End)[1]
- Eric Enderson – CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team (Punter),[1] The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-American Second Team (Punter)[2]
- Michael Johnson – The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-American Third Team (All Purpose).[2]
- Jalen Randolph - CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Candidate
- Ryan Torza - CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Candidate
- Laith Wallschleger - CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Candidate
Conference predictions
Delaware was picked to finish sixth in the CAA Preseason Poll.[1]
- CAA Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
- 1. New Hampshire (15)
- 2. Villanova (2)
- 3. Richmond (3)
- 4. William & Mary (3)
- 5. Towson
- 6. Delaware
- 7. Maine
- 8. James Madison (1)
- 9. Stony Brook
- 10. UAlbany
- 11. Rhode Island
- 12. Elon
Preseason rankings
FCS Coaches Poll
Delaware received 15 votes in the Preseason Coaches Poll, resulting in a tie for 35th. The Blue Hens face four teams ranked in the preseason poll (#4 New Hampshire, #7 Towson, #13 Villanova, and #22 William & Mary). In addition, they meet up with two teams to receive votes but not be ranked (James Madison and Sacred Heart).
The Sports Network FCS Poll
Delaware received 213 votes in the Preseason TSN poll, good for 29th overall. The Blue Hens are scheduled to face four teams that were ranked in the poll in 2014 (#4 New Hampshire, #12 Villanova, #13 Towson, and #19 William & Mary). In addition, they will face two teams that received votes but were not in the top 25 (James Madison - 180 votes and Sacred Heart - 14 votes).
Opening depth chart
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Coaching staff
Name | Position | Year | Alma mater |
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Dave Brock | Head Coach | 2013 | Salisbury (1994) |
Sean Devine | Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line | 2013 | Colby (1994) |
Tim Weaver | Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers | 2013 | Davidson (1990) |
Dennis Dottin-Carter | Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line | 2013 | Maine (2002) |
Brian Ginn | Quarterbacks | 2000 | Delaware (2000) |
Bryan Bossard | Wide Receivers | 2014 | Delaware (1988) |
Tony Lucas | Running Backs | 2013 | Columbia (2003) |
Eddie Allen | Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends | 2014 | New Haven (2003) |
Henry Baker | Cornerbacks | 2011 | Maryland (2003) |
Tom McEntire | Safeties | 2013 | Thiel (2006) |
Jerry Oravitz | Associate Director of Athletics for Football Administration | 1997 | Salisbury (1984) |
David Baylor | Player Development | 2006 | Bentley (1997) |
Jude Moser | Administrative Assistant |
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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August 30 | 12:00 PM | at Pittsburgh* | ESPN3 | L 0–62 | 40,549 | ||
September 7 | 12:00 PM | Delaware State* | HAA | W 27–9 | 12,511 | ||
September 13 | 6:00 PM | Colgate* |
| HAA | W 28–25 | 15,319 | |
September 27 | 4:00 PM | at James Madison | No. 25 |
| CSN | W 30–23 OT | 20,592 |
October 4 | 3:30 PM | Sacred Heart* | No. 24 |
| HAA | L 7–10 | 14,894 |
October 11 | 3:30 PM | Elon |
| HAA | W 34–24 | 19,476 | |
October 18 | 12:30 PM | Towson |
| CSN | L 17–24 | 17,718 | |
October 25 | 12:30 PM | at No. 18 William & Mary |
| CSN | L 17–31 | 7,614 | |
November 1 | 12:00 PM | Rhode Island |
| HAA | W 28–13 | 12,798 | |
November 8 | 3:30 PM | at Albany | W 31–28 | 4,674 | |||
November 15 | 1:00 PM | at No. 1 New Hampshire |
| L 14–43 | 8,199 | ||
November 22 | 12:00 PM | No. 6 Villanova |
| HAA | L 28–35 | 17,056 | |
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Roster
(as of July 29, 2014)[3] | ||||||
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Game summaries
Pittsburgh
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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First Meeting |
- Pittsburgh was coming off a win over Bowling Green in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in 2013.
- First time Delaware was shut out since September 14, 1996 (a 27–0 loss at Villanova), snapping a streak of 220 games.
- Largest margin of defeat for Delaware since September 24, 1921 (an 89–0 loss at Pennsylvania).
- Offensive MVP: Nick Boyle – TE
- Defensive MVP: Simba Gwashavanhu – SS
- Special Teams MVP: Andrew Opoku – WR
- Pittsburgh went on to fall to Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Delaware State
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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5–0 | 2013 | W 42–21 |
- Postponed from September 6 at 6 PM to September 7 at 12 PM due to lightning in the area.
- Jalen Randolph named Nate Beasley MVP.
- Offensive MVP: Jalen Randolph – RB
- Defensive MVP: Vince Hollerman – DE
- Special Teams MVP: Michael Johnson – WR
Colgate
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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5–0 | 2003 I–AA Playoffs | W 40–0 |
James Madison
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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13–8 | 2013 | W 29–22 |
- Delaware's first OT win since September 10, 2005, against Lehigh (34–33). Hens had lost three consecutive OT games since (2007 v. Richmond (5OT), 2010 v. Villanova, and 2012 v. Towson).
- James Madison went on to fall in the first round of the NCAA First Round to Liberty.
Sacred Heart
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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First Meeting |
- Sacred Heart was coming off of a NEC championship and a First Round loss to Fordham in 2013.
- Delaware's first FCS non-conference loss since January 7, 2011 (v. Eastern Washington, in the National Championship game).
- Delaware's first regular season FCS non-conference loss since September 20, 2008 (at Furman).
- Delaware's first home non-conference loss since September 16, 2006 (v. Albany).
- Sacred Heart went on to win the NEC championship and fall in the NCAA First Round to Fordham.
Elon
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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First Meeting |
Towson
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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10–5 | 2013 | W 32–31 |
- Towson was coming off a loss in the National Championship Game to North Dakota State in 2013.
- First Homecoming loss since October 31, 2009 to James Madison (20–8).
William & Mary
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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22–16 | 2013 | L 10–24 |
Rhode Island
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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21–8 | 2013 | W 35–13 |
Albany
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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2–1 | 2013 | W 33–30 |
New Hampshire
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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20–11 | 2012 | L 14–34 |
- New Hampshire was coming off a Semifinal loss to North Dakota State in 2013.
- New Hampshire went on to win the CAA championship and fall to Illinois State in the NCAA Semifinals.
Villanova
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Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
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21–25–1 | 2013 | L 34–35 |
- Villanova went on to fall in the NCAA Quarterfinals to Sam Houston State.
Ranking movements
Week | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Final | ||||||
Sports Network | RV | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 24 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | NR | NR | NR | NR | ||||||
Coaches | RV | RV | NR | NR | NR | RV | RV | RV | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
References
- "All-Conference team and CAA Predictions" (PDF). Colonial Athletic Association. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
- "University of Delaware Football Places Enderson, Johnson on The Sports Network Pre-Season All-American Team". University of Delaware Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- "Football - Roster". University of Delaware Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 30, 2014.