2025 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team

Last updated

2025 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football
Delaware Football wordmark.svg
Conference Conference USA
Record1–1 (0–0 CUSA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTerence Archer (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Spread option
Defensive coordinatorManny Rojas (6th season)
Base defense 3–3–5
Home stadium Delaware Stadium
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Conference USA football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Western Kentucky  1 0   2 1  
Jacksonville State  1 0   1 1  
New Mexico State  0 0   2 0  
Delaware*  0 0   1 1  
FIU  0 0   1 1  
Louisiana Tech  0 0   1 1  
Missouri State*  0 0   1 1  
UTEP  0 0   1 1  
Middle Tennessee  0 0   0 2  
Kennesaw State  0 0   0 2  
Liberty  0 1   1 1  
Sam Houston  0 1   0 2  
Championship: December 5, 2025
  • * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules
As of September 7, 2025

The 2025 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team represents the University of Delaware as a member of the Conference USA (CUSA) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They are led by fourth-year head coach Ryan Carty and play their home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware.

Contents

The 2025 season will be Delaware's first year in Conference USA since transitioning from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). [1] They are ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules.

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

PlayerPositionDestination
Jalyn WitcherWR Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Daniel LipovskiQB Lafayette
Melkart Abou JaoudeDL North Carolina
Tyler DavisS Temple
JoJo BermudezWR Temple
Pete MelleDEUnknown

Incoming

PlayerPositionPrevious school
Kahlil AliS Boston College
Keontae JenkinsDB Coastal Carolina
Kyre DuplessisWR Coastal Carolina
Jawarren CorbinLB Iowa Central CC
Noah MatthewsDE Kentucky
Brenden LachP Michigan Tech
Thomas AmankwaaWR Rutgers
Noah RosahacOL Syracuse
Viron Ellison Jr.RB Tulsa
Riley TrujilloQB UCF
Patrick MethlieOL West Chester
Brandon RehmannWR West Virginia

[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 287:00 p.m. Delaware State * ESPN+ W 35–1717,895
September 63:30 p.m.at Colorado * FOX L 7–3150,341
September 133:00 p.m. UConn *
  • Delaware Stadium
  • Newark, DE
ESPN+
September 206:00 p.m.at FIU ESPN Networks
October 37:00 p.m. Western Kentucky
  • Delaware Stadium
  • Newark, DE
CBSSN
October 157:00 p.m.at Jacksonville State ESPN2
October 227:30 p.m. Middle Tennessee
  • Delaware Stadium
  • Newark, DE
ESPN2
November 13:30 p.m.at Liberty CBSSN
November 83:00 p.m. Louisiana Tech Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Delaware Stadium
  • Newark, DE
ESPN Networks
November 151:00 p.m.at Sam Houston ESPN Networks
November 22at Wake Forest *
November 291:00 p.m. UTEP
  • Delaware Stadium
  • Newark, DE
ESPN Networks
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • All times are in Eastern time

[7]

Game summaries

vs. Delaware State (FCS, Route 1 Rivalry)

Game One – Delaware State Hornets (FCS) (0–0) at Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Hornets (FCS)037717
Fightin' Blue Hens01471435

at Delaware StadiumNewark, Delaware

  • Date: August 28
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 17,895
  • Referee: Rory Bernard
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Scott Klatzkin (play-by-play) and Fritz Stueber (analyst)
Game information
First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter
  • DSU – Patrick Fisher-Butler 40-yard field goal, 6:46. Hornets 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 50 yards, 6:12.
  • DEL – Nick Minicucci 8-yard run (Nate Reed kick), 3:44. Blue Hens 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:02.
  • DEL – Kyre Duplessis 4-yard pass from Nick Minicucci (Nate Reed kick), 0:33. Blue Hens 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 2:07.
Third quarter
  • DSU – Kaiden Bennett 23-yard run (Patrick Fisher-Butler kick), 10:29. Blue Hens 14–10. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:31.
  • DEL – Ja'Carree Kelly 9-yard pass from Nick Minicucci (Nate Reed kick), 7:15. Blue Hens 21–10. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 3:01.
Fourth quarter
  • DEL – Kahlil Ali 45-yard interception return (Nate Reed kick), 10:44. Blue Hens 28–10.
  • DSU – Marquis Gillis 39-yard pass from Kaiden Bennett (Patrick Fisher-Butler kick), 8:10. Blue Hens 28–17. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 2:25.
  • DEL – Jake Thaw 50-yard pass from Nick Minicucci (Nate Reed kick), 6:15. Blue Hens 35–17. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:55.
StatisticsDSUDEL
First downs2126
Total yards349409
Rushing yards200137
Passing yards149272
Passing: Comp–Att–Int13–26–231–44–0
Time of possession31:5328:07
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Delaware StatePassingKaiden Bennett11/23, 135 yards, TD, INT
RushingMarquis Gillis17 carries, 123 yards
ReceivingMarquis Gillis3 receptions, 46 yards, TD
DelawarePassingNick Minicucci28/36, 251 yards, 3 TD
RushingNick Minicucci9 carries, 44 yards, TD
ReceivingJake Thaw7 receptions, 92 yards, TD

at Colorado

Game Two – Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (1–0) at Colorado Buffaloes (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Fightin' Blue Hens07007
Buffaloes7107731

at Folsom FieldBoulder, CO

  • Date: Saturday September 6, 2025
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 75 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 50,341
  • Referee: Kevin Boitmann
  • TV announcers (FOX): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Robert Griffin III (analyst), Alexa Landestoy (reporter)
Game information
First quarter
  • COL – Kaidon Salter 9-yard run (Alejandro Mata kick), 5:33. Buffaloes 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 87 yards, 6:06.
Second quarter
  • COL – Alejandro Mata 28-yard field goal, 13:03. Buffaloes 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 43 yards, 3:59.
  • DEL – Jo Silver 4-yard pass from Nick Minicucci (Nate Reed kick) 0:45. Buffaloes 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:54.
  • COL – DeKalon Taylor 21-yard pass from Ryan Staub (Alejandro Mata kick) 0:09. Buffaloes 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 0:36.
Third quarter
  • COL – Sincere Brown 71-yard pass from Ryan Staub (Alejandro Mata kick) 13:46. Buffaloes 24–7. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:14.
Fourth quarter
  • COL – Micah Welch 10-yard run (Alejandro Mata kick), 14:13. Buffaloes 31–7. Drive: 5 plays, 24 yards, 2:23.
StatisticsDELCOL
First downs1921
Total yards396398
Rushing yards84131
Passing yards312267
Passing: Comp–Att–Int18–36–122–31–0
Time of possession27:0332:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DelawarePassingNick Minicucci18/36, 312 yards, TD, INT
RushingJo Silver11 carries, 47 yards
ReceivingJake Thaw4 receptions, 85 yards
ColoradoPassingRyan Staub7/10, 157 yards, 2 TD
RushingSimeon Price9 carries, 56 yards
ReceivingSincere Brown4 receptions, 120 yards, TD

vs. UConn

Game Three – UConn Huskies (0–0) at Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Huskies00000
Fightin' Blue Hens00000

at Delaware StadiumNewark, DE

  • Date: Saturday September 13, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsCONNDEL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UConnPassing
Rushing
Receiving
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at FIU

Game Four – Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) at FIU Panthers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Fightin' Blue Hens00000
Panthers00000

at Pitbull StadiumMiami, FL

  • Date: Saturday September 20, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsDELFIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving
FIUPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Western Kentucky

Game Five – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0–0) at Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Hilltoppers00000
Fightin' Blue Hens00000

at Delaware StadiumNewark, DE

  • Date: Friday October 3, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsWKUDEL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Jacksonville State

Game Six – Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) at Jacksonville State Gamecocks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Fightin' Blue Hens00000
Gamecocks00000

at AmFirst StadiumJacksonville, AL

  • Date: Wednesday October 15, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsDELJVST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Jacksonville StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Middle Tennessee

Game Seven – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0–0) at Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Blue Raiders00000
Fightin' Blue Hens00000

at Delaware StadiumNewark, DE

  • Date: Wednesday October 22, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsMTSUDEL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Middle TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Liberty

Game Eight – Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) at Liberty Flames (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Fightin' Blue Hens00000
Flames00000

at Williams StadiumLynchburg, VA

  • Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsDELLIB
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving
LibertyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Louisiana Tech

Game Nine – Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (0–0) at Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs00000
Fightin' Blue Hens00000

at Delaware StadiumNewark, DE

  • Date: Saturday September 13, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsLTDEL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Louisiana TechPassing
Rushing
Receiving
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Sam Houston

Game Ten – Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) at Sam Houston Bearkats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Fightin' Blue Hens00000
Bearkats00000

at Bowers StadiumHuntsville, TX

  • Date: Saturday November 15, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsDELSHSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Sam HoustonPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Wake Forest

Game Eleven – Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Fightin' Blue Hens00000
Demon Deacons00000

at Allegacy Federal Credit Union StadiumWinston-Salem, NC

  • Date: Saturday November 22, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsDELWAKE
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Wake ForestPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. UTEP

Game Twelve – UTEP Miners (0–0) at Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Miners00000
Fightin' Blue Hens00000

at Delaware StadiumNewark, DE

  • Date: Saturday November 29, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUTEPDEL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UTEPPassing
Rushing
Receiving
DelawarePassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. "Delaware Accepts Invitation to Join Conference USA as Full Member". bluehens. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  2. "Delaware Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
  3. "Football Adds Transfers Amankwaa and Methlie". bluehens.
  4. "Football Adds Quartet of Transfers". bluehens. January 8, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  5. "Football Adds RB Transfer Viron Ellison Jr". bluehens. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  6. "Football Adds WR Transfer Kyre Duplessis". bluehens. May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  7. "2025 Delaware Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved December 24, 2024.