Football Falls to WKU in Front of Largest Home Crowd Since 2018

Friday, October 3

Newark, Del.

7 PM

University of Delaware

3-2 , 1-1

WKU

5-1 , 3-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Western Ky.

Delaware

Photo by: Mikey Reeves

Football Falls to WKU in Front of Largest Home Crowd Since 2018

10/3/2025 10:17:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team was defeated by the WKU Hilltoppers, 27-24, on Friday night at Delaware Stadium on Parents and Family Weekend. The Fightin' Blue Hens fell to 3-2, 1-1 CUSA, while the Hilltoppers improved to 5-1, 3-0 CUSA.

The attendance of 19,179 is the largest home crowd for Delaware since it had 19,209 on October 13, 2018 against Elon.

HEN HIGHLIGHTS

QB Nick Minicucci went 28-of-47 for 314 passing yards, while cruising on the ground for three scores and 55 yards. He connected with nine different receivers in the first half and 11 for the game. It was the second-career game with three rushing TDs for Minicucci.
LB Gavin Moul registered 12 tackles. This was the fourth time in his career that he broke the 10-tackle threshold.
LB Blake Matthews notched career-highs in tackles (8) and TFLs (1.5).
S KT Seay tallied his first-career fumble recovery to go with six tackles.
TE Elijah Sessoms recorded five catches for 55 receiving yards, both marking career highs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Minicucci got the Hens on the board first with a two-yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-0 lead, capping off a 15-play, 75-yard opening drive that lasted 6:24.
WKU's first drive ended in a forced fumble by LB Marje Mulumba that was recovered by Seay, giving UD the ball back with 4:22 left in the opening stanza.
The Hilltoppers made a 41-yard field goal to begin the second quarter, bringing the score to 7-3.
K Nate Reed tacked on a 23-yard field goal with 7:55 left in the first half to make it 10-3.
WKU answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a five-yard rushing touchdown to even the game at 10 with 1:55 to play in the second quarter.
Minicucci notched his second rushing touchdown as time expired in the first half to give Delaware a 17-10 lead heading into the locker room.
A WKU 43-yard field goal cut the Delaware lead to 17-13 with 8:01 remaining in the third.
The Hilltoppers picked off Minicucci and took it to the house, giving them their first lead of the night at 20-17 in the third quarter.
WKU added a five-yard touchdown pass to increase its lead to 27-17 with 38 ticks to go in the third quarter.
A hat-trick for Minicucci on the ground brought Delaware back to within three, making it 27-24 with 9:54 to play in regulation.
Delaware was in position to tie the game as time expired, but missed a 42-yard field goal as time expired.

GAME NOTES

QB Riley Trujillo made his collegiate debut.
WR Donovan Lewis made his season debut after missing time with an injury.

UP NEXT
The Blue Hens will travel to Jax State for a game on Wednesday, October 15. The game will air nationally on ESPN2.

TICKET INFORMATION
Don't miss your chance to be part of the action at Delaware Stadium this fall. Get your single-game tickets for the 2025 Delaware home football season today!

Season tickets offer the best seats at the best price for every home game and come with great benefits, such as ticket priority for away games and invites to exclusive member-only events. Partial Plans offer fans flexible options and price savings over individual games.

For more information or to secure your seats, visit BlueHens.com/fbtickets.

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