University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Set for Key CAA Football Battle as Blue Hens Head to No. 1 New Hampshire Saturday
11/12/2014 1:40:00 AM | Football
DELAWARE “Blue Hens” (6-4, 4-2 CAA) vs.
#1/2 NEW HAMPSHIRE “Wildcats” (8-1, 6-0 CAA)
Saturday, November 15, 2014 • 1 p.m. • Cowell Stadium • Durham, N.H.
GAME PREVIEW:
Blue Hens Look to Extend Win Streak in Run for Postseason; Face Big Obstacle in #1 New Hampshire
DURHAM, N.H. -- As mid-November approaches, the Blue Hens have appeared to hit their stride and have everything to play for over the last two weeks of the season beginning with this Saturday's Colonial Athletic Association meeting with No. 1 ranked (TSN) New Hampshire. The game will be played at 1 p.m. at UNH's Cowell Stadium.
Standing at 6-4 (4-2 CAA) entering this week's game, the Blue Hen can make a strong case for postseason inclusion with victories over a pair of Wildcats, this week vs. No. 1/2 New Hampshire and next week in the regular season and home finale vs. No. 7/6 Villanova.
The Blue Hens extended their win streak to two games last Saturday as a strong third quarter performance and a dominant running attack led to a 31-28 win at Albany. This week the Hens face a UNH squad that enters with an 8-1 overall record, has won eight straight games, and sits alone atop the CAA standings with a 6-0 mark.
The Wildcats, who will clinch at least a share of the CAA title with a win vs. Delaware, entered last week ranked No. 2 nationally in The Sports Network poll but moved into the top spot after previously unbeaten and No. 1 North Dakota State was upset by Northern Iowa on Saturday. The Wildcats have advanced to the NCAA Tournament 10 straight years and an 11th straight trip appears to be a lock no matter what happens over the last two weeks.
Delaware, which leads the all-time series with New Hampshire by a 20-11 margin, will be looking to win in Durham for the first time since the 2003 national championship season when UD won 22-21.
HEAD COACHES
DELAWARE:
Dave Brock (Salisbury State '94) - 13-9 (.591) all-time at Delaware and overall (2nd season)...8-6 (.571) in Colonial Athletic Association play...9-4 (.692) at Delaware Stadium (4-3 vs. CAA); 4-5 (.444) on the road (4-3 vs. CAA)...first meeting vs. UNH...22nd head coach in Delaware football history...native of Moorestown, N.J. and a veteran of 23 collegiate seasons as an assistant coach...came to Delaware after serving one season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under coach Kyle Flood at Rutgers where team posted a 9-4 record, won a share of the Big East title, and advanced to the Russell Athletic Bowl...has also coached at Boston College, Kansas State, North Carolina, Temple, Hofstra, Salisbury State, and Western Connecticut State...played linebacker at Ferrum (Va.) College before earning degree from Salisbury (Md.) State University in 1994...he and wife, Karen, have five children - Henry, William, Richard, Kate, and Maggie.
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Sean McDonnell (New Hampshire '78)...16th season at New Hampshire and overall (123-72, .631)...77-52 (.606) all-time in CAA play...5-5 (.500) all-time vs. Delaware...has led team to the NCAA Tournament 10 straight seasons, the longest current streak in the CAA...team advanced to the semifinals in 2013, to the quarterfinals in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 and to the second round in 2011 and 2012...team captured conference North titles in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009...No. 4 on all-time CAA win list for conference wins...one of four CAA coaches who played at their alma mater...served as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at UNH in 1991-98 before taking over as head coach.
DELAWARE-NEW HAMPSHIRE SERIES
• Delaware and New Hampshire have played each other 31 times since the first meeting in 1953
• Delaware holds a 20-11 advantage in the series but New Hampshire has won four of the last five meetings
• Delaware's most recent win in the series was a 16-3 victory in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA FCS Tournament in 2010 at Delaware Stadium
• New Hampshire's most recent win was a 34-14 victory at Durham, N.H. in 2012
• Ten of the last 19 meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less
• Delaware is 11-5 all-time in Durham, N.H. (last win 22-21 in 2003) but the Wildcats have won two straight
• Delaware won each of the first seven meetings in 1953-59
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