2014 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team

The 2014 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team represented the University of Delaware in the 2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Dave Brock and played their home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware. They were a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). They finished the season 6–6, 4–4 in CAA play, to finish in a four-way tie for fifth place.

2014 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football
ConferenceColonial Athletic Association
2014 record6–6 (4–4 CAA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorSean Devine (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Co-defensive coordinatorDennis Dottin-Carter (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorTim Weaver (2nd season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumDelaware Stadium
(Capacity: 22,000)
2014 Colonial Athletic Association football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 3 New Hampshire $^  8 –0     12 –2  
No. 7 Villanova ^  7 –1     11 –3  
No. 18 James Madison ^  6 –2     9 –4  
No. 16 Richmond ^  5 –3     9 –5  
William & Mary  4 –4     7 –5  
Delaware  4 –4     6 –6  
Maine  4 –4     5 –6  
Stony Brook  4 –4     5 –7  
Albany  3 –5     7 –5  
Towson  2 –6     4 –8  
Rhode Island  1 –7     1 –11  
Elon  0 –8     1 –11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from The Sports Network poll

Previous season
See also: 2013 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team

Delaware would start strong through the beginning of November, reaching a record of 7–2 (4–1 CAA) following a thrilling win at Towson. However, from that point, the Hens faded with a three-game losing streak to end the year at 7–5 (4–4 CAA). The slide was particularly painful for the faithful with the last loss coming from a frantic Villanova comeback to eliminate the Hens from playoff contention.

Preseason

Recruiting class

Delaware announced the signing of 22 players on February 5, 2014.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Ryley Angeline
ATH		 Chester Springs, PA Downingtown East HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 218 lb (99 kg) – Aug 5, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Charles Bell
LB		 Conestoga, PA Penn Manor HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 225 lb (102 kg) – Dec 8, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Malcolm Brown
DB		 Gaithersburg, MD Quince Orchard HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) – Dec 11, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Tre Brown
WR		 Harrisburg, PA Milton Hershey HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 4.42 Aug 16, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Mario Farinella
OL		 Bloomfield, NJ Bergen Catholic HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 295 lb (134 kg) 5.0 Aug 24, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Troy Gallen
WR		 Glen Mills, PA Malvern Prep 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.36 Aug 13, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Andrew Grau
TE		 Rehoboth Beach, DE Cape Henlopen HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 225 lb (102 kg) – Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Maurice Harley
DB		 Upper Marlboro, MD St. John's College HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 201 lb (91 kg) – Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Anthony Jackson
LB		 Riverdale, MD Suitland HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.7 Sep 16, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Quai Jefferson
WR		 Woodland Park, NJ St Joseph Regional HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 188 lb (85 kg) – Nov 5, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Thomas Jefferson
RB		 Prospect Park, NJ Passaic Tech 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) – Jan 26, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
James Kretkowski
OL		 Mineola, NY Oceanside HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 285 lb (129 kg) – Dec 8, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
John Nassib
DE		 West Chester, PA Malvern Prep 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 260 lb (120 kg) – Nov 20, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Bilal Nichols
DL		 Newark, DE Hodgson Vo-Tech 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 250 lb (110 kg) – Nov 18, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jethro Pepe
OL		 Colonia, NJ St. Joseph's HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 245 lb (111 kg) – Aug 16, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jake Powell
TE		 Marlton, NJ Cherokee HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) – Aug 12, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Frank Raggo
K		 Randolph, NJ Randolph HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 163 lb (74 kg) – Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Donte Raymond
LB		 Rahway, NJ Rahway HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 203 lb (92 kg) – Jan 20, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Bryan Reed
OL		 Mount Sinai, NY Mount Sinai HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 291 lb (132 kg) – Jul 31, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Joseph Walker
QB		 Philadelphia, PA Martin Luther King HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 4.57 Dec 29, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Brandon Whaley
TE		 Haymarket, VA Battlefield HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 4.8 Oct 2, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Kareem Williams
RB		 Schnecksville, PA Parkland HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.49 Jan 24, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Delaware Commit List for 2014". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  • "RecruitTracker 2014: Delaware". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.

    Transfers

    Three players transferred into Delaware for the 2014 Season:

    PlayerPositionPrevious SchoolHometown
    C.J. JonesDBBoston CollegeWilmington, DE
    Blake RankinQBRutgersBloomsburg, PA
    Anthony SpezialeOLWagnerManahawkin, NJ

    Preseason awards
    • Nick Boyle – CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team (Tight End)[1]
    • Eric Enderson – CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team (Punter),[1] The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-American Second Team (Punter)[2]
    • Michael Johnson – The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-American Third Team (All Purpose).[2]
    • Jalen Randolph - CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Candidate
    • Ryan Torza - CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Candidate
    • Laith Wallschleger - CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Candidate

    Conference predictions

    Delaware was picked to finish sixth in the CAA Preseason Poll.[1]

    CAA Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
    1. New Hampshire (15)
    2. Villanova (2)
    3. Richmond (3)
    4. William & Mary (3)
    5. Towson
    6. Delaware
    7. Maine
    8. James Madison (1)
    9. Stony Brook
    10. UAlbany
    11. Rhode Island
    12. Elon

    FCS Coaches Poll

    Delaware received 15 votes in the Preseason Coaches Poll, resulting in a tie for 35th. The Blue Hens face four teams ranked in the preseason poll (#4 New Hampshire, #7 Towson, #13 Villanova, and #22 William & Mary). In addition, they meet up with two teams to receive votes but not be ranked (James Madison and Sacred Heart).

    The Sports Network FCS Poll

    Delaware received 213 votes in the Preseason TSN poll, good for 29th overall. The Blue Hens are scheduled to face four teams that were ranked in the poll in 2014 (#4 New Hampshire, #12 Villanova, #13 Towson, and #19 William & Mary). In addition, they will face two teams that received votes but were not in the top 25 (James Madison - 180 votes and Sacred Heart - 14 votes).

    Opening depth chart

    Coaching staff
    NamePositionYearAlma mater
    Dave BrockHead Coach2013Salisbury (1994)
    Sean DevineOffensive Coordinator/Offensive Line2013Colby (1994)
    Tim WeaverCo-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers2013Davidson (1990)
    Dennis Dottin-CarterCo-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line2013Maine (2002)
    Brian GinnQuarterbacks2000Delaware (2000)
    Bryan BossardWide Receivers2014Delaware (1988)
    Tony LucasRunning Backs2013Columbia (2003)
    Eddie AllenSpecial Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends2014New Haven (2003)
    Henry BakerCornerbacks2011Maryland (2003)
    Tom McEntireSafeties2013Thiel (2006)
    Jerry OravitzAssociate Director of Athletics for Football Administration1997Salisbury (1984)
    David BaylorPlayer Development2006Bentley (1997)
    Jude MoserAdministrative Assistant

    Schedule
    DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
    August 3012:00 pmat Pittsburgh*
    		ESPN3L 0–6240,549
    September 712:00 pmDelaware State*
    		HAAW 27–912,511
    September 136:00 pmColgate*
    • Delaware Stadium
    • Newark, DE
    		HAAW 28–2515,319
    September 274:00 pmat James MadisonNo. 25
    		CSNW 30–23 OT20,592
    October 43:30 pmSacred Heart*No. 24
    • Delaware Stadium
    • Newark, DE
    		HAAL 7–1014,894
    October 113:30 pmElon
    • Delaware Stadium
    • Newark, DE
    		HAAW 34–2419,476
    October 1812:30 pmTowson
    • Delaware Stadium
    • Newark, DE
    		CSNL 17–2417,718
    October 2512:30 pmat No. 18 William & Mary
    		CSNL 17–317,614
    November 112:00 pmRhode Island
    • Delaware Stadium
    • Newark, DE
    		HAAW 28–1312,798
    November 83:30 pmat Albany
    		W 31–284,674
    November 151:00 pmat No. 1 New Hampshire
    		L 14–438,199
    November 2212:00 pmNo. 6 Villanova
    		HAAL 28–3517,056

    Roster
    (as of July 29, 2014)[3]
    Quarterbacks
    • 2 Trent Hurley – Senior
    • 7 Blake Rankin – Sophomore
    • 8 Justin Burns – Senior
    • 15 Joseph Walker – Freshman
    • 16 Richard Czeczotka – Sophomore
    Wide Receivers
    • 4 Jerel Harrison – Junior
    • 6 Andrew Opoku – Senior
    • 17 Michael Johnson – Senior
    • 18 Quai Jefferson – Freshman
    • 21 Stephen Clark – Senior
    • 27 Troy Gallen – Freshman
    • 37 Ricky Emerson – Freshman
    • 80 Diante Cherry – Freshman
    • 81 Andrew Peterson – Sophomore
    • 83 Kevin Macari – Junior
    • 84 DeAndre Davis – Freshman
    • 85 Rick Bell – Junior
    • 88 Tre Brown – Freshman
    Tight Ends
    • 10 Kyle Yocum – Freshman
    • 26 Ryan Cobb – Senior
    • 30 Ryley Angeline – Freshman
    • 82 Matt Rodriguez – Junior
    • 86 Nick Boyle – Senior
    • 87 Jake Powell – Freshman
    • 97 Andrew Grau – Freshman
    • 99 Brandon Whaley – Freshman
    		  
    Running Backs
    • 28 Thomas Jefferson – Freshman
    • 31 Wes Hills – Sophomore
    • 32 Kareem Williams – Freshman
    • 33 Jalen Randolph – Sophomore
    • 47 Trejon Dinkins – Freshman
    Offensive line
    • 53 Andrew Consevage – Junior
    • 54 Brody Kern – Freshman
    • 60 Peter Thistle – Sophomore
    • 61 Justin Glenn – Junior
    • 63 Shawn Davis – Sophomore
    • 64 Bryan Reed – Freshman
    • 67 JD Dzurko – Senior
    • 68 Will Lewis – Sophomore
    • 69 Ben Curtis – Junior
    • 70 Jake Trump – Freshman
    • 71 Sam Collura – Junior
    • 74 Michael Radespiel – Sophomore
    • 75 Connor Bozick – Sophomore
    • 76 Christian Marchena – Junior
    • 77 Mario Farinella – Freshman
    • 78 Jethro Pepe – Freshman
    • 79 James Kretkowski – Freshman
    • 92 Anthony Speziale – Freshman
    		  
    Defensive Line
    • 45 Chris Corvino – Senior
    • 46 Laith Wallschleger – Senior
    • 55 Brandon Henderson – Sophomore
    • 57 Grant Roberts – Freshman
    • 58 Josh Plummer – Junior
    • 59 Vince Hollerman – Junior
    • 72 David Tinsley – Junior
    • 73 Blaine Woodson – Freshman
    • 90 Derrick Saulsberry – Senior
    • 92 Bilal Nichols – Freshman
    • 95 John Nassib – Freshman
    • 96 Cedric Udegbe – Freshman
    Linebackers
    • 5 Charles Bell – Freshman
    • 20 Donte Raymond – Freshman
    • 25 David Mackall – Senior
    • 29 Anthony Jackson – Freshman
    • 34 Jalen Kindle – Freshman
    • 34 Justice Smith – Freshman
    • 40 Derek Battle – Junior
    • 41 Kennedy Ogbonna – Senior
    • 42 Eric Patton – Sophomore
    • 43 Larry Spears – Freshman
    • 44 Pat Callaway – Senior
    • 50 Brandon Snyder – Sophomore
    • 51 Christopher Lail – Sophomore
    • 52 Nate Haase – Freshman
    • 53 Tommy Wilmoth – Freshman
    • 54 Jordan Andrews – Freshman
    • 91 Randall Schiccatano – Freshman
    		  
    Defensive backs
    • 1 Malcolm Brown – Freshman
    • 3 Craig Brodsky – Junior
    • 9 Roman Tatum – Sophomore
    • 11 Jake Giusti – Senior
    • 12 Mark Doe – Sophomore
    • 13 Maurice Harley – Freshman
    • 14 Simba Gwashavanhu – Sophomore
    • 22 Justin Watson – Freshman
    • 23 Mario Rowson – Senior
    • 24 Ryan Torzsa – Sophomore
    • 31 Chris Buckley – Freshman
    • 35 Khalig Gatson – Sophomore
    • 37 Kivar Thurman – Senior
    Punters
    • 49 Eric Enderson – Sophomore
    Place Kickers
    • 19 Garrett Greenway – Junior
    • 36 Brandon Tuozzolo – Sophomore
    • 39 Kevin McLaughlin – Sophomore
    • 98 Frank Raggo – Freshman
    Long Snappers
    • 66 Tim Sheridan – Freshman
    • 89 Joe Fortunato – Junior

    Game summaries

    Pittsburgh
    See also: 2014 Pittsburgh Panthers football team
    1 234Total
    Blue Hens 0 000 0
    • Panthers 21 21137 62
    • Location: Heinz Field
      Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    • Game start: 12:04 PM
    • Elapsed time: 2:53
    • Game attendance: 40,549
    • Game weather: Temp: 77 • Wind: 5 SE • Weather: Sunny
    • Referee: Duane Heydt
    • Television network: ESPN3
    • First time Delaware was shut out since September 14, 1996 (a 27–0 loss at Villanova), snapping a streak of 220 games.
    • Largest margin of defeat for Delaware since September 24, 1921 (an 89–0 loss at Pennsylvania).
    • Offensive MVP: Nick Boyle – TE
    • Defensive MVP: Simba Gwashavanhu – SS
    • Special Teams MVP: Andrew Opoku – WR
    • Pittsburgh went on to fall to Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl.

    Delaware State
    See also: 2014 Delaware State Hornets football team and Route 1 Rivalry
    Route 1 Rivalry
    1 234Total
    Hornets 0 306 9
    • Blue Hens 7 1370 27
    • Location: Delaware Stadium
      Newark, Delaware
    • Game start: 12:06 PM
    • Elapsed time: 2:33
    • Game attendance: 12,511
    • Game weather: Temp: 73 • Wind: 11 N • Weather: Sunny
    • Referee: Char. Lamertina
    • Postponed from September 6 at 6 PM to September 7 at 12 PM due to lightning in the area.
    • Jalen Randolph named Nate Beasley MVP.
    • Offensive MVP: Jalen Randolph – RB
    • Defensive MVP: Vince Hollerman – DE
    • Special Teams MVP: Michael Johnson – WR

    Colgate
    See also: 2014 Colgate Raiders football team
    1 234Total
    Raiders 9 6100 25
    • Blue Hens 14 0014 28
    • Location: Delaware Stadium
      Newark, Delaware
    • Game start: 6:06 PM
    • Elapsed time: 2:51
    • Game attendance: 15,319
    • Game weather: Temp: 66 • Wind: 7 NNW • Weather: Overcast, cool
    • Referee: Henry Wimberg

    James Madison
    See also: 2014 James Madison Dukes football team and Delaware-James Madison rivalry
    1 234OTTotal
    • #25 Blue Hens 6 70107 30
    Dukes 6 00170 23
    • Location: Bridgeforth Stadium
      Harrisonburg, Virginia
    • Game start: 4:00 PM
    • Elapsed time: 3:29
    • Game attendance: 20,592
    • Game weather: Temp: 77 • Wind: NE 2 mph • Weather: Sunny/clear
    • Referee: Tony Marcella
    • Television network: Comcast SportsNet
    • Delaware's first OT win since September 10, 2005, against Lehigh (34–33). Hens had lost three consecutive OT games since (2007 v. Richmond (5OT), 2010 v. Villanova, and 2012 v. Towson).
    • James Madison went on to fall in the first round of the NCAA First Round to Liberty.

    Sacred Heart
    See also: 2014 Sacred Heart Pioneers football team
    1 234Total
    • Pioneers 0 703 10
    #24 Blue Hens 7 000 7
    • Location: Delaware Stadium
      Newark, Delaware
    • Game start: 3:36 PM
    • Elapsed time: 2:57
    • Game attendance: 14,894
    • Game weather: Temp: 64 • Wind: 15 WNW • Weather: Cloudy
    • Referee: Hank Johns

    Elon
    See also: 2014 Elon Phoenix football team
    Parents & Family Weekend
    1 234Total
    Phoenix 0 3147 24
    • Blue Hens 6 2107 34
    • Location: Delaware Stadium
      Newark, Delaware
    • Game start: 3:36 PM
    • Elapsed time: 3:07
    • Game attendance: 19,476
    • Game weather: Temp: 54 • Wind: 8 NNE • Weather: Overcast
    • Referee: Mike Sechrist

    Towson
    See also: 2014 Towson Tigers football team
    Homecoming
    1 234Total
    • Tigers 7 0314 24
    Blue Hens 7 703 17
    • Location: Delaware Stadium
      Newark, Delaware
    • Game start: 12:30 PM
    • Elapsed time: 3:10
    • Game attendance: 17,718
    • Game weather: Temp: 66 • Wind: 14 N • Weather: Sunny
    • Referee: Henry Wimberg
    • Television network: Comcast SportsNet

    William & Mary
    See also: 2014 William & Mary Tribe football team and Delaware–William & Mary football rivalry
    1 234Total
    Blue Hens 0 773 17
    • #18 Tribe 0 10147 31
    • Location: Zable Stadium
      Williamsburg, Virginia
    • Game start: 12:30 PM
    • Game attendance: 7,614
    • Game weather: Temp: • Wind: • Weather:
    • Television network: Comcast SportsNet

    Rhode Island
    See also: 2014 Rhode Island Rams football team
    1 234Total
    Rams 0 760 13
    • Blue Hens 14 770 28
    • Location: Delaware Stadium
      Newark, Delaware
    • Game start: 12:00 PM
    • Game attendance: 12,798
    • Game weather: Temp: • Wind: • Weather: Rain

    Albany
    See also: 2014 Albany Great Danes football team
    1 234Total
    • Blue Hens 0 7213 31
    Great Danes 0 14014 28
    • Location: Bob Ford Field
      Albany, New York
    • Game start: 3:30 PM
    • Elapsed time: 3:00
    • Game attendance: 4,674
    • Game weather: Temp: 47 • Wind: N 4 • Weather: Clear
    • Referee: Warren Gillis

    New Hampshire
    See also: 2014 New Hampshire Wildcats football team
    1 234Total
    Blue Hens 0 770 14
    • #1 Wildcats 10 71313 43
    • Location: Cowell Stadium
      Durham, New Hampshire
    • Game start: 1:00 PM
    • Game attendance: 8,199
    • Game weather: Temp: • Wind: • Weather:

    Villanova
    See also: 2014 Villanova Wildcats football team and Battle of the Blue
    Battle of the Blue
    1 234Total
    • #6 Wildcats 13 778 35
    Blue Hens 0 7714 28
    • Location: Delaware Stadium
      Newark, Delaware
    • Game start: 12:00 PM
    • Elapsed time: 3:09
    • Game attendance: 17,056
    • Game weather: Temp: 40 • Wind: 11 SW • Weather: Sunny, Cold
    • Referee: Kelvin Hudson

    Ranking movements
    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
    Week
    Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Final 
    Sports Network RV RV RV RV 25 24 RV RV RV RV RV NR NR NR NR 
    Coaches RV RV NR NR NR RV RV RV NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

    References
    1. "All-Conference team and CAA Predictions" (PDF). Colonial Athletic Association. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
    2. "University of Delaware Football Places Enderson, Johnson on The Sports Network Pre-Season All-American Team". University of Delaware Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
    3. "Football - Roster". University of Delaware Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
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