University of Delaware Athletics
Michael Johnson, Nick Boyle, Jake Giusti, Patrick Callaway Selected as Captains for 2014 University of Delaware Football Squad
8/23/2014 7:21:00 PM | Football
Dave Brock announced Saturday.
Tight end Nick Boyle (High Point Regional/Wantage, N.J.), linebacker Patrick Callaway (Martin Luther King/Decatur, Ga.), safety Jake Giusti (Fletcher/Neptune Beach, Fla.), and wide receiver Michael Johnson (Gainesville/Gainesville, Fla.) were selected as captains for the upcoming season from a vote of the 16 seniors on the squad and the coaching staff.
Delaware, which opens the season this Saturday, Aug. 30, at Pittsburgh, will have four captains for the first time since the 2011 team had five players serve in that leadership role. The Blue Hens also had four or more captains during the 1996 and 2008 campaigns.
“There will be a lot on each kid's table,” said Brock of the captains, who will lead a young team that includes 23 true freshmen and 20 redshirt freshmen. “I think they are up to it. You want a lot of leaders on your team and a collection of guys bringing everyone together. These four know that it's more about what you do and not what you say. They have to be conscious of the example they set and that their legacy will be about whether they can make this a playoff team. They have to do it and not just talk about doing it.
“Where they can have the biggest impact is how they mentor this special group of freshmen in terms of teaching them how we do things, the expectations that are set, and holding them to those expectations,” said Brock. “And of course, the obligation of good players like these four are is to play well.”
Boyle, Callaway, and Johnson each earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honors a year ago while Giusti (pronounced “justy”), the only player left from that 2010 squad that advanced to the NCAA FCS title game, returns to action after missing all but three games with an injury in 2013.
Boyle earned second team All-CAA honors as a junior in 2013 when he caught 42 passes for 474 yards, averaged 11.3 yards per catch, and scored seven touchdowns, tops among league tight ends and among the national leaders. He has 64 career receptions and could break the UD mark for tight ends of 78.
“It is an honor to be named captain, especially at a school like Delaware,” said Boyle, an economics major at UD. “To be nominated by your coaches and teammates speaks a lot about what they think of you. That means a lot and feels really good. The four of us are ready to get together and keep working to find ways to help us become a better team on the field, around campus, and in the community.”
A fourth-year starter, Callaway was also a second team All-CAA pick in 2013 when he anchored the UD defense at middle linebacker. He led the team and ranked No. 2 in the CAA with 120 tackles, including 53 solo stops, while also recovering two fumbles, intercepting two passes, and breaking up four others. He recorded 10 or more tackles five times and ranked 18th in the NCAA with an average of 10.0 stops per game.
“I'm excited about being selected as a captain,” said Callaway, a sport management major who has already earned his degree. “When I was recruited I was told I had a great chance to be captain before I left here. I'm glad I could meet those expectations. I'm looking forward to leading my teammates every day, showing them how to work hard not only in games but in practice, in the weight room, and in the training room.”
Giusti has appeared in 39 career games for the Blue Hens and recorded 108 total tackles, including 78 solo stops. He played a key role for the 2010 national runner-up squad and was a part-time starter for the next three years before ending his 2013 campaign early with an injury. He also has three career fumble recoveries and 10 pass breakups.
“It is a blessing, that's for sure,” said Giusti, an organizational and community leadership major at Delaware. “To become captain here at Delaware is something special. I am more of a show guy so I plan to lead by example and inspire the rest of the team to do great things.”
One of the nation's most explosive multi-purpose threats, Johnson earned second team All-CAA accolades in 2013 when he caught 60 passes for 1,035 yards and nine touchdowns and averaged 17.2 yards per catch. He also carried the ball 13 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns and averaged 20.9 yards on 29 kickoff returns. For his career, he has caught 104 passes for 1,495 yards and 13 touchdowns, has scored 17 touchdowns overall, and has averaged 16.6 yards every time he touches the ball, the second highest mark in school history.
“It feels good to know that the team and the coaches look to me as a leader,” said Johnson, a health behavior science major. “This is definitely something I have always wanted. I'm going to continue to work hard as a captain and show these guys that they chose the right person.”
Delaware is coming off a 7-5 record in Brock's first season at the helm last fall. The Blue Hens open the season at Pitt next Saturday at 12 noon (ESPN3 broadcast) before returning for the home opener Sept. 6 vs. Delaware State at Delaware Stadium. Great season and single game tickets remain by calling 302-831-2257 or online at www.bluehens.com.
Tight end Nick Boyle (High Point Regional/Wantage, N.J.), linebacker Patrick Callaway (Martin Luther King/Decatur, Ga.), safety Jake Giusti (Fletcher/Neptune Beach, Fla.), and wide receiver Michael Johnson (Gainesville/Gainesville, Fla.) were selected as captains for the upcoming season from a vote of the 16 seniors on the squad and the coaching staff.
Delaware, which opens the season this Saturday, Aug. 30, at Pittsburgh, will have four captains for the first time since the 2011 team had five players serve in that leadership role. The Blue Hens also had four or more captains during the 1996 and 2008 campaigns.
“There will be a lot on each kid's table,” said Brock of the captains, who will lead a young team that includes 23 true freshmen and 20 redshirt freshmen. “I think they are up to it. You want a lot of leaders on your team and a collection of guys bringing everyone together. These four know that it's more about what you do and not what you say. They have to be conscious of the example they set and that their legacy will be about whether they can make this a playoff team. They have to do it and not just talk about doing it.
“Where they can have the biggest impact is how they mentor this special group of freshmen in terms of teaching them how we do things, the expectations that are set, and holding them to those expectations,” said Brock. “And of course, the obligation of good players like these four are is to play well.”
Boyle, Callaway, and Johnson each earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honors a year ago while Giusti (pronounced “justy”), the only player left from that 2010 squad that advanced to the NCAA FCS title game, returns to action after missing all but three games with an injury in 2013.
Boyle earned second team All-CAA honors as a junior in 2013 when he caught 42 passes for 474 yards, averaged 11.3 yards per catch, and scored seven touchdowns, tops among league tight ends and among the national leaders. He has 64 career receptions and could break the UD mark for tight ends of 78.
“It is an honor to be named captain, especially at a school like Delaware,” said Boyle, an economics major at UD. “To be nominated by your coaches and teammates speaks a lot about what they think of you. That means a lot and feels really good. The four of us are ready to get together and keep working to find ways to help us become a better team on the field, around campus, and in the community.”
A fourth-year starter, Callaway was also a second team All-CAA pick in 2013 when he anchored the UD defense at middle linebacker. He led the team and ranked No. 2 in the CAA with 120 tackles, including 53 solo stops, while also recovering two fumbles, intercepting two passes, and breaking up four others. He recorded 10 or more tackles five times and ranked 18th in the NCAA with an average of 10.0 stops per game.
“I'm excited about being selected as a captain,” said Callaway, a sport management major who has already earned his degree. “When I was recruited I was told I had a great chance to be captain before I left here. I'm glad I could meet those expectations. I'm looking forward to leading my teammates every day, showing them how to work hard not only in games but in practice, in the weight room, and in the training room.”
Giusti has appeared in 39 career games for the Blue Hens and recorded 108 total tackles, including 78 solo stops. He played a key role for the 2010 national runner-up squad and was a part-time starter for the next three years before ending his 2013 campaign early with an injury. He also has three career fumble recoveries and 10 pass breakups.
“It is a blessing, that's for sure,” said Giusti, an organizational and community leadership major at Delaware. “To become captain here at Delaware is something special. I am more of a show guy so I plan to lead by example and inspire the rest of the team to do great things.”
One of the nation's most explosive multi-purpose threats, Johnson earned second team All-CAA accolades in 2013 when he caught 60 passes for 1,035 yards and nine touchdowns and averaged 17.2 yards per catch. He also carried the ball 13 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns and averaged 20.9 yards on 29 kickoff returns. For his career, he has caught 104 passes for 1,495 yards and 13 touchdowns, has scored 17 touchdowns overall, and has averaged 16.6 yards every time he touches the ball, the second highest mark in school history.
“It feels good to know that the team and the coaches look to me as a leader,” said Johnson, a health behavior science major. “This is definitely something I have always wanted. I'm going to continue to work hard as a captain and show these guys that they chose the right person.”
Delaware is coming off a 7-5 record in Brock's first season at the helm last fall. The Blue Hens open the season at Pitt next Saturday at 12 noon (ESPN3 broadcast) before returning for the home opener Sept. 6 vs. Delaware State at Delaware Stadium. Great season and single game tickets remain by calling 302-831-2257 or online at www.bluehens.com.
Players Mentioned
TE
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballDelaware Football Postgame Press Conference - 68 Ventures Bowl vs. Louisiana - 12/17/25
Friday, December 19
Delaware Football Postgame Press Conference - UTEP 11/29/25
Saturday, November 29
Delaware Football Weekly Press Conference - Week 14
Monday, November 24
Delaware Football Weekly Press Conference - Week 13
Tuesday, November 18
