University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Picked to Finish Second; League-High Five Selected to CAA Preseason Team
7/28/2022 9:05:00 AM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team had a league-high five student-athletes selected to the All-CAA Preseason Team and the Blue Hens were picked to finish second in the conference in the CAA Preseason Poll, as announced during the league's virtual media day on Thursday. The preseason team and poll were voted on by the CAA's head coaches and media relations directors.
Wide receiver Thyrick Pitts earned his second-straight nod to the preseason team after enjoying an All-CAA Second Team selection in 2021 when he led the Blue & Gold with 43 catches and 669 receiving yards and ranked fourth in the CAA with seven touchdown receptions.
Defensive back Kedrick Whitehead led a quartet of Blue Hens on the defensive side of the preseason team. The five-time All-American earned his third straight all-conference nod in 2021 when he was named to the All-CAA First Team after registering 76 tackles and eight pass breakups. Whitehead was joined by linebacker Johnny Buchanan, who was an All-CAA Second Team performer in 2021 after leading UD in tackles, as well as defensive linemen Artis Hemmingway and Chase McGowan who both earned All-CAA Third Team honors last season.
Additionally, quarterback Nolan Henderson, defensive back Noah Plack and punt returner Jourdan Townsend all received honorable mention recognition. Plack and Townsend were both All-CAA Second Team selections in 2021.
The Blue Hens received seven first-place votes and 235 points overall to finish second in the preseason poll behind only Villanova (270 points, 16 first-place votes). Delaware finished just ahead of Rhode Island (224) and Richmond (219), while William & Mary (206, 2) rounded out the top five.
The Blue & Gold, which is ranked No. 15 in the HERO Sports Preseason FCS Poll and No. 20 in the 2022 Athlon Sports FCS Preseason Top 25, will open the 2022 season and the Ryan Carty era on Saturday, September 3 at Navy. The Blue Hens will play the first of six home games the following weekend when they host Delaware State to renew the Route 1 Rivalry on September 10. Kickoff at Delaware Stadium is set for 6 p.m.
Single-game tickets, as well as partial plans and individual game parking, for all six of Delaware's home games are currently on sale.
Individual Game Tickets | Season Ticket Membership I Partial Plans I Football Ticket Information
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFB and Instagram @DelawareFootball, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook. Follow Ryan Carty on Twitter @RyanCarty10.
2022 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
OFFENSE
Thyrick Pitts, WR
DEFENSE
Artis Hemmingway, DL
Chase McGowan, DL
Johnny Buchanan, LB
Kedrick Whitehead, S
HONORABLE MENTION
Nolan Henderson, QB
Noah Plack, S
Jourdan Townsend, PR
2022 CAA FOOTBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Villanova (16 first-place votes) 270
2. Delaware (7 first-place votes) 235
3. Rhode Island 224
4. Richmond 219
5. William & Mary (2 first-place votes) 206
6. Elon (1 first-place vote) 191
7. Stony Brook 151
8. Maine 134
9. New Hampshire 117
10. Monmouth 105
11. Towson 81
12. UAlbany 64
13. Hampton 31
