University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mark Palczewski
Belief Builds Foundation For Return to FCS Playoffs
11/20/2018 10:37:00 AM | Football
It was December of 2016.
Vinny Papale had spent the better part of the past two years trying to recover from injuries. He knew he had it in him. He just needed someone else to have that same belief in the wideout.
Papale sat across the desk from the new head coach of the Delaware football program, Danny Rocco with that same message. Rocco's message back to him that day was one that would ripple through the entire program and set the foundation for a return to the FCS Playoffs.
Rocco's message that day to Papale was simple, "I believe in you, Vinny."
The belief in this group, particularly the group of 28 seniors, became contagious. After back-to-back four win seasons in 2015 and 2016, the Blue Hens piled up seven in 2017 and narrowly missed the postseason.
This year, Delaware was on a mission. Unfinished business was the motto all offseason. The Blue Hens started the season ranked for the first time in seven years. They were one of the hot picks around the country.
But a 21-19 season-opening loss to Rhode Island brought doubters out from the woodwork.
"We've been tested all year," said Troy Reeder. "Our character has been challenged, we've faced doubters and plenty of people who didn't believe in us, but every person in that locker room believed in each other."
A five-game win streak, highlighted by thrilling home wins over top-10 ranked Elon and Towson, the mystique around Delaware football was back. For the first time since 2013, Delaware Stadium saw two crowds over 18,500 this year.
Yet the Blue Hens' belief was tested again with tough losses to Stony Brook and Villanova to end the year. Questions were asked, doubters once again became louder, but the belief stayed the same.
"Winning isn't easy, but we knew we had the talent and the right people in that locker room," senior Joe Walker said. "We wanted to go out leaving the foundation for this program to be in the postseason every year. We wanted to be the class that brought Delaware football back."
On Sunday, those 28 seniors joined their teammates inside the auditorium in the Bob Carpenter Center and found out that the belief had paid off.
2,877 days. 69,065 hours. 4,143,900 minutes. The wait was over. Delaware football was back in the FCS Playoffs.
The road ahead certainly isn't an easy one for the Blue Hens. The first challenge is sixth-ranked James Madison, the team who has played in back-to-back national championship game.
"This is certainly going to be a test for us. They're a great program and obviously have had plenty of playoff experience, but we believe in each other, we know that we can compete against the best of the best," Reeder added.
There's that word again. Belief.
You never know what can happen when a group believes in each other more than the outside world.
Vinny Papale had spent the better part of the past two years trying to recover from injuries. He knew he had it in him. He just needed someone else to have that same belief in the wideout.
Papale sat across the desk from the new head coach of the Delaware football program, Danny Rocco with that same message. Rocco's message back to him that day was one that would ripple through the entire program and set the foundation for a return to the FCS Playoffs.
Rocco's message that day to Papale was simple, "I believe in you, Vinny."
The belief in this group, particularly the group of 28 seniors, became contagious. After back-to-back four win seasons in 2015 and 2016, the Blue Hens piled up seven in 2017 and narrowly missed the postseason.
This year, Delaware was on a mission. Unfinished business was the motto all offseason. The Blue Hens started the season ranked for the first time in seven years. They were one of the hot picks around the country.
But a 21-19 season-opening loss to Rhode Island brought doubters out from the woodwork.
"We've been tested all year," said Troy Reeder. "Our character has been challenged, we've faced doubters and plenty of people who didn't believe in us, but every person in that locker room believed in each other."
A five-game win streak, highlighted by thrilling home wins over top-10 ranked Elon and Towson, the mystique around Delaware football was back. For the first time since 2013, Delaware Stadium saw two crowds over 18,500 this year. Yet the Blue Hens' belief was tested again with tough losses to Stony Brook and Villanova to end the year. Questions were asked, doubters once again became louder, but the belief stayed the same.
"Winning isn't easy, but we knew we had the talent and the right people in that locker room," senior Joe Walker said. "We wanted to go out leaving the foundation for this program to be in the postseason every year. We wanted to be the class that brought Delaware football back."
On Sunday, those 28 seniors joined their teammates inside the auditorium in the Bob Carpenter Center and found out that the belief had paid off.
2,877 days. 69,065 hours. 4,143,900 minutes. The wait was over. Delaware football was back in the FCS Playoffs.
The road ahead certainly isn't an easy one for the Blue Hens. The first challenge is sixth-ranked James Madison, the team who has played in back-to-back national championship game.
"This is certainly going to be a test for us. They're a great program and obviously have had plenty of playoff experience, but we believe in each other, we know that we can compete against the best of the best," Reeder added.
There's that word again. Belief.
You never know what can happen when a group believes in each other more than the outside world.
Players Mentioned
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