University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Villanova
Football Preview: Villanova
11/17/2022 1:43:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The No. 20/19 University of Delaware football team will make the short trip to the Philadelphia area on Saturday for a CAA contest at Villanova. For the seventh-consecutive season, the annual Battle of the Blue between Delaware and Villanova will serve as the regular season finale for the two programs. The 56th all-time meeting between the two longtime rivals will once again have postseason implications as the Blue Hens are fighting for an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Villanova Stadium and the game will be broadcast live on FloSports.
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Game Notes: Delaware | Villanova | CAA
About the Blue Hens
- The Blue Hens are looking to win its second-consecutive game at Villanova Stadium after defeating the Wildcats 27-20 during the 2020-21 Spring season. That victory clinched the CAA Championship for the Blue & Gold. Nolan Henderson completed 20-of-24 passes for 270 yards and touchdown passes to Jourdan Townsend and Bryce De Maille while Thyrick Pitts caught five passes for 104 yards.
- Delaware is coming off a heartbreaking 21-13 loss to then-No. 12/13 Richmond last weekend at Delaware Stadium. In a battle between the CAA's top two defenses, the Blue Hens held the Spiders to just four field goals over the first 59 minutes while taking a 13-12 lead. However, Richmond connected on a 39-yard field goal with four seconds remaining and then recovered a fumble in the end zone on the kickoff to snatch victory away from the Blue Hens.
- Nolan Henderson completed 23-of-37 passes for 196 yards. He and Marcus Yarns ran for a touchdown, while Quincy Watson led the rushing attack with 62 yards on 10 carries. Jourdan Townsend caught seven passes for 79 yards. Delaware rushed for 163 yards on the day and out-gained Richmond 359-352.
- Nic Ware and Noah Plack finished with a team-high nine tackles apiece, while Ware had one of UD's two sacks and Plack recovered one of two fumbles on the day. The defense did not allow an offensive touchdown for the third time in six home games.
- Johnny Buchanan has led the Delaware defense all season with six games of at least 10 tackles. He is second in the nation with 118 tackles on the season, which is 25 more than anyone else in the CAA.
- The Blue Hen defense continues to be one of the toughest in all of FCS, ranking third in both scoring (14.9 ppg) and total (281.3 ypg) defense as well as second in pass defense (135.3 ypg).
Scouting Villanova
- Villanova comes into Saturday's contest with a 5-5 record and a 3-4 mark in CAA play. The Wildcats have dropped two-straight contests, falling on the road at Towson (27-3) and at William & Mary (45-12).
- On offense, the Wildcats are averaging 26.0 ppg and 389.3 ypg, while the Villanova defense is giving up 28.7 ppg and 392.5 ypg.
- Connor Watkins has passed for 1,935 yards while completing 56.7 percent of his passes. He has thrown for 16 touchdowns while rushing for seven more. TD Ayo-Durojaiye leads the ground game with 67.6 ypg while Jalen Jackson has added five rushing touchdowns.
- In just eight games, Jaaron Hayek leads the way in all receiving categories with 36 catches for 810 yards and eight scores. Rayjuon Pringle has also caught eight touchdown passes.
- Defensively, Shane Hartzell has team-highs of 64 tackles, 7.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks. Daniel Abraham and Tyrell Mims have two interceptions apiece.
Up Next
Following Saturday's game, the Blue Hens will wait to learn their postseason fate as the teams for the FCS playoffs will be selected on Sunday, Nov. 20. The selection show is scheduled to air at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_FB and Instagram @delaware_fb, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook. Follow Ryan Carty on Twitter @RyanCarty10.
