University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Football Opener vs. Jacksonville (Fla.) Set for Friday, Sept. 4
3/17/2015 12:59:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware announced Monday that the Blue Hen football team will open its season on a Friday night when UD hosts Jacksonville (Fla.) for a non-league matchup on Sept. 4.
Dave Brock's UD debut. Delaware won that game 51-35. Delaware will be playing on a Friday for the first time since the 2010 national championship game and will be playing on a Friday night in the regular season for the first time since a 35-0 win over West Chester in 2009. The Hens are 8-3 when playing non-Saturday games since 2001.
Jacksonville, a member of the Pioneer League, is coming off an outstanding season that saw the Dolphins go 9-2, win 9 of their last 10 games, and tie San Diego for the league title. Jacksonville won the tie-breaker but did not take part in the NCAA Tournament due to a self-imposed penalty. The Dolphins led the Pioneer League in both scoring offense (35.4 points per game) and total offense (499.9 yards per game).
The Jacksonville game will be one of six home opponents for the Blue Hens in 2015 as Delaware will also play host to Lafayette on Sept. 12, William & Mary on Oct. 3 (Hall of Fame Weekend), New Hampshire on Oct. 24 (Parents & Family Weekend), Albany on Nov. 7 (Homecoming), and James Madison on Nov. 14.
Delaware will play road games at Villanova (Sept. 19), North Carolina (Sept. 26), Rhode Island (Oct. 10), Towson (Oct. 31), and Elon (Nov. 21).
The Blue Hens will return 18 players with starting experience from last year's squad that went 6-6 and lost three games by a touchdown or less. Spring drills begin March 24 with the annual Blue-White Spring Game and Fandemonium VI set for Saturday, May 2.
Fandemonium, an action-packed day with Blue Hens, includes the Fan Zone with live entertainment, inflatables, pony rides, face painting, food, fun, Blue Hens autographs, and more for fans of all ages. Admission and parking is free. The event will begin at 10 a.m. with the spring game getting underway at 12 noon.
Delaware will also visit Smyrna (Del.) High School and scrimmage as part of Downstate Day on Saturday, Apr. 8. Programming that day will also begin at 10 a.m. and will include athletics skills fun in football, soccer, and field hockey, inflatables, face painting, giveaways, concessions, and merchandising. The football action will get underway at 12 noon and will be followed by a meet and greet with the team on the field. The event is free and open to fans of all ages.
Great season ticket packages for the 2015 season are on sale now and can be purchased in-person at the Bob Carpenter Center Ticket Office, by phone at 302-831-2257, and online at www.bluehens.com (select “Tickets” at the top of the page).
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
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