The Test -Villanova

[Maddog@76]

I honestly don't care what we wear just do whatever it takes to WIN and bring some Juice

You got that right John. Any color uniform, but want that winged helmet (before it becomes a victim of cancel culture.) If a team cannot "get up" for a game like this and the ramifications involved- they have to be AI players! Go Blue Hens! Wayne Hanby

[Hengrad07]

finpxz1- You get it. The program doesn't get improvement points playing in a conference of weak teams and having a schedule with the very weak on it. Carty was hired to be what every Blue Hen fan wants.... winning consistently clear up the ladder. . This is the opportunity to wake up the fans who left and those who have been yawning through the Hampton, Duquesne & A & T's . Comparing the last 10 years is a total copout. We stunk quite a bit of the time. Can't we give that part of our history a look in the rearview mirror and count on a CAA title in 2023? Why sell this team and this coaching staff short? I for one am going to be totally disappointed if we don't KO the wildcats and win a couple more.

WIN the title, or at least a share. If the Hens lose on Saturday, haven't they lost to the only two good team's they faced in conference?

[Ramblinrec74]

This game will be won in the pits! We must control the line of scrimmage! They like to run, including the QB, and we have to stop them. The Ol needs to impose their will on their DL. We need a clean game w/o turnovers. We need to employ the run better to keep them off balance, and look at the intermediate routes over middle, for what I've seen on film, they play alot of cover two! It would be great to start fast, and get them out of their comfort zone!

[Section J]

Despite the suggestions earlier in the season Saturday is the first real test for Ryan Carty and the renewed success of UD football. Ryan didn't make the schedule and nobody expected a real game at State College but the hiccup against Elon was a concern. . For those who think we have returned from the ridiculously overly mentioned "lost decade" keep your helmet buckled until Saturday afternoon when RC plays his most important game ever as a head coach. Throw out the crazy dazy plays and just use the talent and good sense available and I think we'll finish on a positive note. We're past due !

No excuses, losing to Nova and playing against Wilmington College in the playoffs is not what this program needs. We need a win and this test is pass/fail.

Lost decade.

[UD '01 grad]

Hens

Record against CAA top 7: 0-1
Record against CAA bottom 8: 6-0

Wildcats

Record against CAA top 7: 2-1 (last matchup was Oct. 14)
Record against CAA bottom 8: 4-0

[72 Hen]

The last time we beat Villanova on our home field Ryan Carty was our backup QB. It's time for us to take back the Tub.

[Bluewyn Gold]

Of all of the schools remaining in Delaware's conference, none inspires any particular dislike for me except the Radnor Villains. Sure hope this week's game is one of those we remember fondly when looking back a few years from now.

Maybe my favorite win of the series was the early '70s game ('70 or '71 maybe) after the V-team had beaten the Hens several years in a row. They came into the stadium rather proud of their past accomplishments with local guys like Hurley & Reilly and Heisman candidate Sianni. What a second half Johnny Bush had! Schademan (sp?) had a couple interceptions. The entire defense showed up to play that day and put pressure on Nova's QB all day. Finally, logged one in the win column. Attended the game with my pop and won't soon forget the smile on his mug at the end of that game. What a memory.

We need one of those types of efforts on Saturday. It's going to take the full 60 minutes.

[Jaxhen1]

The challenge for our defense in this game is that Villanova is by far the most balanced offense in the league (2,226 rushing yards and 2,164 passing yards). They rank #1 in pass efficiency in the CAA, #1 in pass yards/completion, and #1 in pass yards/attempt. We need to win the turnover battle as always; slow down the rush and reduce their time of possession which wears down their opponents defense; don’t give up the big pass play (safeties need to make sure the receivers don’t get behind them, something we’ve struggled with recently); contain Watkins who can make key plays with his legs; protect the punter this year for heavens sake; and get off to a good start, take the lead early and make them get out of their game plan by passing more than they want to.

[Caribbean Hen]

The challenge for our defense in this game is that Villanova is by far the most balanced offense in the league (2,226 rushing yards and 2,164 passing yards). They rank #1 in pass efficiency in the CAA, #1 in pass yards/completion, and #1 in pass yards/attempt. We need to win the turnover battle as always; slow down the rush and reduce their time of possession which wears down their opponents defense; don’t give up the big pass play (safeties need to make sure the receivers don’t get behind them, something we’ve struggled with recently); contain Watkins who can make key plays with his legs; protect the punter this year for heavens sake; and get off to a good start, take the lead early and make them get out of their game plan by passing more than they want to.

Good stuff Jax,

Watkins is scary good running the ball down inside the 10, he has a way of making it look easy on those running plays.

WR Hayek is an always a problem despite his stats being down this year.

However, Villanova has lots to worry about as well … lots

Preparing for 2 different capable QBs for one and a whole host of other offensive weapons Delaware brings. Hopefully we’re healthy and ready to go full speed.

This has the makings of a classic

[tenn hen]

The FCS coaches poll has UD with double the votes of Villanova - surprise or not- tough one to call. Massey has them just above us and Sagarin has UD 7 slots above them. Sounds like the type of game we want to see. V should always be on our schedule no matter the designation next year or down the road. They have been and should be our #1 RIVAL

[UDan]

At the very least, hoping for traditional blue and gold home jerseys.

Watch out for blue tops and white bottoms. Hazarding a guess.

[77HEN]

At the very least, hoping for traditional blue and gold home jerseys.

Watch out for blue tops and white bottoms. Hazarding a guess.

Could happen. The team seems to genuinely display a dislike for yellow pants. Can they / will they wear all black for the woeful “Battle of the Blue”? The all black seems to be the players’ favorite. If so, debut a black helmet with the yellow wings. Now that would fire things up.

[UD '01 grad]

Saturday Forecast

National Weather Service: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

[VIKING '87]

https://www.collegefootballpoll.com/fcs/weekly-picks/

Has UD favored by 6 points! FWIW.

Has Albany favored by 3 1/2.
WM favored over UR by 2.

[VIKING '87]

Stats has us ranked 7th and V 10th.