University of Delaware Athletics

Photo by: Mikey Reeves
11/2/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
NEW ORLEANS – University of Delaware football QB Nick Minicucci has been named one of the Manning Award Stars of the Week, the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee announced Monday. Minicucci is the first player in program history to earn the weekly honor after making the Manning Award Watchlist earlier this year.
Prior to the 2004 college football season, the Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only college football quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting; therefore, it is presented annually following the completion of the College Football Playoff and Bowl Season.
The gunslinger set a pair of Delaware records in the Fightin' Blue Hens' 35-21 win at WKU. Minicucci completed his first 18 passes of the game to lock in the program record for consecutive passes overall and consecutive passes to start a game. He is the first CUSA QB to hit 18-straight passes to begin a game since MTSU's Brent Stockstill in September 2016 and first to connect on 18-consecutive throws overall since Bailey Zappe in October 2021.
Minicucci finished 32-of-38 to rank sixth in program history with a .842 completion percentage. He added four touchdowns through the air and 414 passing yards, just eight shy of his career mark. It is the second-straight game he had at least four passing touchdowns to tie him with Nolan Henderson (4) for most 4+ touchdown outings in a career.
This season, the senior signal caller has been named to the Davey O'Brien Award Watchlist, Manning Award Watchlist, Maxwell Award Watchlist, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watchlist, CUSA Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA Second Team, Pro Football Network All-CUSA First Team, a HERO Sports Group of Six All-American, and the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year.
Minicucci and the Fightin' Blue Hens return to action on Saturday at Kennesaw State. The game will stream on ESPN+ with kickoff set for 3 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware football tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Prior to the 2004 college football season, the Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only college football quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting; therefore, it is presented annually following the completion of the College Football Playoff and Bowl Season.
The gunslinger set a pair of Delaware records in the Fightin' Blue Hens' 35-21 win at WKU. Minicucci completed his first 18 passes of the game to lock in the program record for consecutive passes overall and consecutive passes to start a game. He is the first CUSA QB to hit 18-straight passes to begin a game since MTSU's Brent Stockstill in September 2016 and first to connect on 18-consecutive throws overall since Bailey Zappe in October 2021.
Minicucci finished 32-of-38 to rank sixth in program history with a .842 completion percentage. He added four touchdowns through the air and 414 passing yards, just eight shy of his career mark. It is the second-straight game he had at least four passing touchdowns to tie him with Nolan Henderson (4) for most 4+ touchdown outings in a career.
This season, the senior signal caller has been named to the Davey O'Brien Award Watchlist, Manning Award Watchlist, Maxwell Award Watchlist, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watchlist, CUSA Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA Second Team, Pro Football Network All-CUSA First Team, a HERO Sports Group of Six All-American, and the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year.
Minicucci and the Fightin' Blue Hens return to action on Saturday at Kennesaw State. The game will stream on ESPN+ with kickoff set for 3 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware football tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, October 21
Saturday, October 03
Monday, September 21
Saturday, September 19










