University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Head South to Take on Virginia Tech Saturday
9/8/2017 10:40:00 AM | Football
#rv/rv Delaware (1-0) at #18/20 Virginia Tech (1-0)
📅 Saturday, September 9, 2017
🕖 3:30 p.m. EDT
📍 Lane Stadium (66,233)
🎥 ACC Network Extra
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GAME PREVIEW:
Coming Off Season-Opening Win, Blue Hens Face Tough Task with Trip to FBS Power Virginia Tech Saturday
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Things will become more difficult in a hurry for the University of Delaware football squad this week as the Blue Hens, coming off a 22-3 win over in-state foe Delaware State last Thursday, step up a level and travel to Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va. to take on first-time opponent Virginia Tech at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday.
The Danny Rocco Era got off on the right track with the win over Delaware State as the Blue Hen defense was stingy all evening and forced three turnovers and UD came up with just enough offense to keep the Hornets at bay.
Delaware will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak to FBS opponents dating back to a win over Navy in 2007, a season in which the Blue Hens advanced to the NCAA FCS title game. In the process, the Hens will also be looking to become the second CAA team this season - and fifth FCS program overall - to knock off a higher level opponent this season.
No. 18/20 Virginia Tech, which went 10-4 last year and won the ACC Coastal Division title, got its 2017 season off on a high note Sunday night with a 31-24 win over then #22 West Virginia in Landover, Md.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Delaware: Earned votes in STATS Poll (Sept. 3) / Earned votes in FCS Coaches Poll (Sept. 3)
Virginia Tech: No. 20 in USA Today Coaches Poll (Sept. 5); No. 18 in Associated Press Poll (Sept. 5)
HEAD COACHES
DELAWARE:
Danny Rocco (Wake Forest '84)...1-0 (1.000), first season at Delaware...91-42 (.684) overall in his 12th season as a head coach...owns mark of 52-19 (.732) in league play...first-ever meeting vs. Virginia Tech...2-8 all-time vs. FBS opponents (1-5 vs. ACC)...named Delaware's 23rd head coach - and just the sixth full-time head coach since World War II - in December, 2016...led Liberty to record of 47-20 and four Big South championships in 2006-11...guided Richmond to five-year mark of 43-22 in 2012-16, a tenure that included three straight NCAA Tournament appearances in 2014-16...native of Huntingdon, Pa. who played collegiately at Penn State (1979-81) and Wake Forest (1982-83)...earned degree in speech communication and rhetoric from Wake Forest in 1984...wife, Julie; son, David; and daughter, Amy.
VIRGINIA TECH
Justin Fuente (Murray State '99) - 11-4 (.733), 2nd season at Virginia Tech...37-27 (.578), 6th season overall...native of Tulsa, Oklahoma...named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year in 2016 when he led Hokies to a record of 10-4, a first place finish in the ACC Coastal Division with a 6-2 record, and a No. 16 final national ranking in both the USA Today Coaches and Associated Press media polls...led Virginia Tech to a 35-24 win over Arkansas in the Belk Bowl...came to Virginia Tech after posting a 26-23 record in four seasons at Memphis...previously served as assistant coach at Illinois State and TCU before heading to Memphis.
DELAWARE-VIRGINIA TECH SERIES
This week's game marks the first-ever meeting between the two schools in football.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
