University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Saint Francis (Pa.)
Football Preview: Saint Francis (Pa.) – FCS Playoffs First Round
11/23/2022 1:00:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team opens postseason play on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Saint Francis (Pa.) in the first round of the 20222 FCS Playoffs. Kickoff at Delaware Stadium is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be aired on ESPN+.
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Game Notes: Delaware | Saint Francis
About the Blue Hens
- Delaware is making its 18th appearance in the FCS playoffs, dating back to 1981. The Blue & Gold is 24-16 in the postseason and Saturday will be the 21st time in program history that the Blue Hens host a playoff game at Delaware Stadium, coming in with a stellar 16-4 record at home.
- The Blue Hens had 10 players earn All-CAA honors when the conference announced the 2022 CAA Football All-Conference Teams. The 10 selections were tied for the third-most in the CAA.
- Nolan Henderson, an All-CAA Second Team selection, has had a career year for the Blue Hens ranking in the top five in program history in several statistical categories. He has completed 226 passes for 2,934 yards and 28 touchdowns, just one shy of tying the single-season record.
- Jourdan Townsend and Thyrick Pitts, who both earned All-CAA Third Team nods, lead the receiving corps. Townsend has team highs of 56 catches for 672 yards while pulling in five touchdown grabs, and Pitts is second with 49 receptions for 528 yards while ranking second in the conference with nine touchdown catches.
- Now a three-time All-CAA honoree with his first team selection on Tuesday, Johnny Buchanan leads the CAA and currently ranks second in the country with 121 tackles and 11.0 tackles per game. He is also third on the Blue Hens with 5.5 TFL.
Scouting Saint Francis
- Saint Francis is making its first appearance in the FCS Playoffs since 2016 when it dropped a first-round matchup against fellow CAA opponent Villanova.
- The Red Flash finished the regular season with a 9-2 overall record and was the automatic qualifier out of the NEC by winning the conference title with a 7-0 mark.
- Winners of its last nine games, Saint Francis had one common opponent with the Blue Hens, falling at Richmond 31-21 in its second game of the season.
- The Red Flash are averaging nearly 38 ppg and 450 ypg on offense, while the defense is holding its opponents to just 18.4 ppg and 309.8 ypg.
- Cole Doyle quarterbacks the offense and has passed for 1,849 yards in 10 games with 21 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He also averages 31 ypg on the ground.
- Saint Francis uses a variety of running backs as five different players have rushed for multiple touchdowns. Makai Jackson leads the receiving corps with 80 catches for 920 yards and eight touchdowns. Elijah Sarratt is a top target in the red zone with 13 touchdown grabs.
- The defense is led by Willie O'Hara who has 77 tackles. Donnell Brown is a force up front with 13.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks while Sebastian Benjamin also has 6.5 sacks. Travell Cook has three of Saint Francis' 12 interceptions.
Up Next
The winner of Saturday's first-round game will travel to No. 1 overall seed South Dakota State for a second-round matchup on Saturday, December 3.
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.
