HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Delaware.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
Delaware (7-4 IN 2017)
Colonial Athletic Association (Delaware was T-4th in 2017)
COACH: Danny Rocco – 2nd year (7-4)
2017 OFFENSE: 21.2 ppg. (81st in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 16.8 ppg. (10th in FCS)
SUM IT UP: Let's not sugar coat this. Delaware has both the defensive pieces and the schedule to compete for a national championship. Can they bring their offense along for the ride? That's pretty much the only question for the Hens this summer, as we get ready for another season for FCS Football. Danny Rocco is a championship-caliber coach, and the UD defense was clearly among the best in the nation last season. However, Delaware failed to make the playoffs, partially because a one-dimensional offense failed to score enough points with new powers emerging in the CAA. If Delaware finds the end zone more frequently this summer, the CAA will have three legitimate national title contenders.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: The absolute dream season. One season removed from not making the playoffs at all, UD could go all the way. Delaware has a chance to shock the football world with an Earth-shattering September upset at North Dakota State. A win in Fargo, however unlikely, would vault the Blue Hens into the revered conversations usually reserved for the Bison and Dukes. But even if Delaware loses in Fargo, it could still mount an 8-0 CAA record — Delaware doesn't have to play James Madison this season — and earn a seed, with some margin for error. From there, the Hens can ride its defense deep into the playoffs.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: LB Troy Reeder (First-Team All-CAA, 89 Tackles, 7 TFL, 1 FF, 1 INT, 3 PD).
THE NEXT FIVE: DB Nasir Adderley (78 tackles, 5 INTs); TE Charles Scarff (Second-Team All-CAA, 3 TDs); DB Ray Jones (30 starts since 2015); OL Connor Lutz (11 starts at LG); RB Kani Kane (Third-Team All-CAA).
TOP NEWCOMER: DL Brendan Hall (San Diego Mesa JuCo transfer).
DID YOU KNOW?: The University of Delaware acquired a 272-acre vehicle assembly plant in 2009 as part of Chrysler's bankruptcy restructuring plan.
THE QUOTE: “I’ve never seen the intensity and competitiveness so high with any team I’ve ever been around. We know that we left some unfinished business out there. We know that we left things on the table. There’s a fuel that is burning inside all of us from last year.” — Rising Senior Troy Reeder, during the spring.
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
THE HASHTAG: #BlueHens
FOOTBALL TWITTER: @DelawareFB
Bucknell QB John Chiaronzola and Delaware QB Mason Jones working Gun 3 and Reset playing Hank Concept Reseting Base going Inside-Out to make a straight, balanced throw throw to 12yd Curl. @TEST_Football @jchi2244 @CoachBA1010 @Bucknell_FB @DelawareFB #qb pic.twitter.com/gHN0QZJDX8
— Tony Racioppi (@Tonyrazz03) June 29, 2018
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TOP-10 NEEDS: What Every Top-10 Team Needs to get to Frisco
