University of Delaware Athletics
Football Positional Preview: Quarterbacks
8/12/2024 4:40:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team is into its third week of training camp as the Blue Hens prepare for the upcoming 2024 campaign. As the season opener on August 29 quickly approaches, Bluehens.com will be taking an in-depth look at each of the team's position groups, with this edition featuring the quarterbacks.
The Blue Hens have a wealth of experience returning at the quarterback position, led by Ryan O'Connor who started in 10 games last season and quickly became one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. He completed 56 percent (162-290) of his passes for 2,104 yards and 19 touchdowns. On four different occasions, O'Connor surpassed 300 yards in a game, including in his first career start when he threw for 346 yards at Stony Brook. He had five games with multiple touchdown passes, including four against both Duquesne and Campbell.
"Ryan has been awesome," said quarterback coach Sean Goldrich. "The thing about Ryan is he is never satisfied; he knows the work ahead of him. He has something to prove every day he is out there, but he has been very confident and intentional with how he prepares. Going all the way from the meeting room to the practice field he seems locked in with everything he does. He is playing with a lot of energy right now which is awesome."
Delaware returns three more quarterbacks who saw valuable playing time in 2023, including two that started and won games. Zach Marker appeared in five games with three starts and passed for 678 yards and three touchdowns. He threw for 239 yards and accounted for two touchdowns in his first career start at Hampton and then completed his first 16 passes, a UD record, while throwing for 307 yards in a win at Towson.
Nick Minicucci got into six games as a true freshman, completing 49 passes for 474 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for 156 yards. He started in Delaware's FCS Playoff victory over Lafayette where he finished 17-of-25 for 180 yards with three touchdowns and 46 rushing yards. Daniel Lipovski also saw action in two games and completed two passes for 33 yards.
"The depth that we have is fantastic," Goldrich said. "Something you always strive for is to make the most competitive room possible and they have done nothing but that. We have great energy in the room, they all have great relationships and when they step on the field they push each other at the highest level. Having guys with experience, that have shown they can play, pushes one another knowing that there is never a day they can take off. They all have something they can improve on, and they all work really hard."
The Blue Hens also have two talented freshmen on the roster with the addition of Braden Streeter and Austin Troyer, who will both compete for playing time and look to make an impact in their first season with the Blue & Gold.
"They have been unbelievable," Goldrich said. "I am really excited about both of them. Both have very live arms, and they show they're not afraid to make throws. I think, for them, now it is more about processing and getting comfortable in the system, but both of them have done a nice job of understanding the information we have asked them to know at this point. They both have high ceilings and bright futures ahead of them."
The Blue Hens will open the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29 against Bryant at Delaware Stadium. Tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now with fans able to purchase season tickets, partial plan packages and single game tickets for all seven of Delaware's home games.
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The Blue Hens have a wealth of experience returning at the quarterback position, led by Ryan O'Connor who started in 10 games last season and quickly became one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. He completed 56 percent (162-290) of his passes for 2,104 yards and 19 touchdowns. On four different occasions, O'Connor surpassed 300 yards in a game, including in his first career start when he threw for 346 yards at Stony Brook. He had five games with multiple touchdown passes, including four against both Duquesne and Campbell.
"Ryan has been awesome," said quarterback coach Sean Goldrich. "The thing about Ryan is he is never satisfied; he knows the work ahead of him. He has something to prove every day he is out there, but he has been very confident and intentional with how he prepares. Going all the way from the meeting room to the practice field he seems locked in with everything he does. He is playing with a lot of energy right now which is awesome."
Delaware returns three more quarterbacks who saw valuable playing time in 2023, including two that started and won games. Zach Marker appeared in five games with three starts and passed for 678 yards and three touchdowns. He threw for 239 yards and accounted for two touchdowns in his first career start at Hampton and then completed his first 16 passes, a UD record, while throwing for 307 yards in a win at Towson.
Nick Minicucci got into six games as a true freshman, completing 49 passes for 474 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for 156 yards. He started in Delaware's FCS Playoff victory over Lafayette where he finished 17-of-25 for 180 yards with three touchdowns and 46 rushing yards. Daniel Lipovski also saw action in two games and completed two passes for 33 yards.
"The depth that we have is fantastic," Goldrich said. "Something you always strive for is to make the most competitive room possible and they have done nothing but that. We have great energy in the room, they all have great relationships and when they step on the field they push each other at the highest level. Having guys with experience, that have shown they can play, pushes one another knowing that there is never a day they can take off. They all have something they can improve on, and they all work really hard."
The Blue Hens also have two talented freshmen on the roster with the addition of Braden Streeter and Austin Troyer, who will both compete for playing time and look to make an impact in their first season with the Blue & Gold.
"They have been unbelievable," Goldrich said. "I am really excited about both of them. Both have very live arms, and they show they're not afraid to make throws. I think, for them, now it is more about processing and getting comfortable in the system, but both of them have done a nice job of understanding the information we have asked them to know at this point. They both have high ceilings and bright futures ahead of them."
The Blue Hens will open the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29 against Bryant at Delaware Stadium. Tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now with fans able to purchase season tickets, partial plan packages and single game tickets for all seven of Delaware's home games.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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