5 takeaways from the Delaware Blue Hens football loss to Sacred Heart

Zach Marker has been training in Delaware since the start of preseason football camp.

Coach Ryan Carty had frequently praised his impressive and quick recovery last year from reconstructive knee surgery required following a Villanova game injury.

But he hadn’t played this year and didn’t expect it to take place on Saturday.

Circumstances have changed that, which brings up our five takeaways from a 49-0 win over Sacred Heart.

In the second game

Starter Ryan O’Connor was sidelined with what Delaware calls an upper-body injury, so Nick Minicucci started Saturday.

Then he suffered a shoulder injury on a 9-yard run early in the game.

In came Marker, who appeared in five games with three starts last year and was often quite effective.

“We actually weren’t planning on bringing Zach in there; That was our plan,” Delaware coach Ryan Carty said.

But he was needed and answered the call. Delaware’s only punt came at the end of the first possession, but Marker was back to his old self after that.

“I was a little nervous on the knee and the brace is like cement,” he said, “so I feel like I’m crooked. Once I score the first goal, it’s just football.”

UD players post game: “Just do what we do”

Delaware’s Ethan Saunders (who scored on a fumble return) and Zach Marker (who got unexpected playing time at quarterback) speak after the Blue Hens’ lopsided win over Sacred Heart on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

He was 17 of 27 passing for 183 yards and three TDs as his teammates reinforced his determination.

“The team crowded around me and told me, ‘You got this,'” the Iowa Central transfer said. “There is no greater trust builder than that.”

CLUTCH CATCH: Davis’ crucial Penn pass steal gave him and the Blue Hens a ride

Déjà vu

Carty added that he didn’t know how long O’Connor or Minicucci, who injured his left non-throwing shoulder, would be out.

Amazingly, Minicucci was injured on the same play and at the same moment — the first play of the game — as UD quarterbacks coach Sean Goldrich, when he was playing for New Hampshire and Carty was calling plays.

UD’s Carty: Sacred Heart game showed its players were ready to ‘be next man up’

Delaware head coach Ryan Carty said his players showed they were ready to step up as the undefeated Hens continued to deal with injuries following their win over Sacred Heart on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.

“It was literally the same football game,” Carty said. “It was quarterback power on the first play of the game against Minnesota (in 2012). And he tore off his right throwing shoulder and was out for three or four weeks. It’s bizarre.”

The future is now

Freshman Sean Wilson of Alpharetta, Ga., earned the chance to play Saturday by showcasing his skills Friday in what Delaware calls “developmental training” in pads for those not normally expected to that they play.

“He caught three jump balls on people yesterday and I said, ‘You know what? “I’m over it,” Carty said. “In this offense, we don’t catch deep balls well enough, and he’s going to go in there and catch a deep ball (Saturday). At least we’ll throw one at him.”

Wilson caught two passes for touchdowns, a 4-yarder from Marker and a 27-yarder from Braden Streeter, who threw his first college pass.

“The sideline exploded for him,” Marker said, “and there’s no better feeling than seeing a guy make a play when an opportunity presents itself.” When you’re new, the opportunity comes your way, sometimes you are not ready yet. He was ready.”

Tuft type: The Blue Hens’ Lutz is one of the top receivers in the FCS, just as he was at a previous stop in Division III

Not to forget

Delaware didn’t give up a sack on Saturday and has allowed just one all year. Center Brock Gingrich, who had been out since the season opener against Bryant with a knee injury, returned and was flanked by Delaware’s regular guard unit Bradly Anyanwu and Patrick Shupp and faced off against Anwar O’Neal and Blaise Sparks.

UD quarterbacks have also thrown just two interceptions all year, with Saturday’s pick coming on No. 4 quarterback Daniel Lipovski’s deep fling.

A standout day for Delaware’s defense included eight tackles for loss with five sacks, Jason Scott’s strip sack that led to Ethan Saunders’ 20-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and Nate Evans’ interception that led to a Sacred Heart drive that reached the UD 25. Sacred Heart had just 129 total yards.

The Hens have recorded 15 sacks in four games, their most since 2007.

Strange but true

Twelve Blue Hens caught passes on Saturday. Four were tight ends — Caleb Fauria, who had a touchdown reception, Dover graduate Elijah Sessoms, Connor Witthoft and Matt Carlino.

“This is certainly the first time something like this has happened in a crime that I have called,” Carty said.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com And Our DE Game Day newsletter.

5 takeaways from the Delaware Blue Hens football loss to Sacred Heart

ByJasper

In the second game

Déjà vu

The future is now

Not to forget

Strange but true

By Jasper

Related Post

Kate McKinnon on new children’s novel, “nonsense” at school, “SNL” 50

Arizona Weather Forecast: Excessive Heat Warning has been extended as the heat wave continues

FOX Corporation is launching a fundraiser for the American Red Cross’ relief efforts following Hurricane Helene

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You missed

Kate McKinnon on new children’s novel, “nonsense” at school, “SNL” 50

Arizona Weather Forecast: Excessive Heat Warning has been extended as the heat wave continues

FOX Corporation is launching a fundraiser for the American Red Cross’ relief efforts following Hurricane Helene

The Washington Commanders defense had its best performance yet against the Arizona Cardinals