Liberty looks to run its win streak to three when Delaware comes to town for a CUSA contest on Saturday, November 1 in what will be the first ever meeting between the two programs. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on CBS Sports Network from Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia.

The Blue Hens are in their first year competing in Conference USA and the FBS. They made the move up after a long and storied tenure in the FCS, including the 2003 National Championship under former head coach KC Keeler (also coached at Sam Houston prior to the 2025 season). Ryan Carty is in his fourth year as head coach at his alma mater as he was the backup quarterback for the 2003 national championship team and also behind Delaware great Joe Flacco.

Carty led Delaware to consecutive FCS Playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023 and enters 2025 coming off back-to-back nine-win campaigns. So far this season, Carty and the Blue Hens are 4-3 and 2-2 in conference play. They picked up their first win over an FBS opponent as an FBS member in Week 3 over UConn, 44-41, in overtime. They followed that up with a 38-16 win at FIU in their inaugural CUSA contest. Losses to Western Kentucky (27-24) and Jacksonville State (38-25) followed before Delaware bounced back with a 31-28 win this past Wednesday night at home over Middle Tennessee.

Delaware has quickly become one of the top passing offenses in the conference. They enter this week’s game at Liberty ranking first in the league in total offense (419.7 yards per game), passing offense (299.4 yards per game), third down conversion rate (48.5%), and offensive touchdowns scored (26). The Blue Hens are the third scoring offense in CUSA, averaging 29.1 points per game. Carty, who calls the plays, is also very aggressive, as they lead CUSA in 4th down conversion attempts with 19, converting 11 times. Saturday’s game will pit CUSA’s top passing offense against the league’s top passing defense as they Flames rank first in pass defense, holding opponents to 166.7 yards passing.

Nick Minicucci is the signal caller for the Blue Hens. He leads CUSA in total offense (315.6 yards per game) and passing yards per game (295.7). Minicucci has completed 179 of 278 passes for 2,070 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He is in his third season at Delaware, as he started five games last season, completing 79 of 123 passes for 824 yards and 10 touchdowns. This year, Minicucci has also ran 63 times for 139 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Minicucci’s top target is wide receiver Kyre Duplessis who has 34 catches for 483 yards and 4 touchdowns this season. He ranks second in CUSA with 69 yards receiving per game. Duplessis has also returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown.

While the Blue Hens are certainly a more pass-centric team, they also have had some success running the ball. They average 120.3 yards rushing per game with 13 rushing touchdowns while averaging 3.76 yards per carry. Jo Silver ranks 6th in the league in rushing with 82 carries for 426 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and 60.8 yards per game.

On defense, Delaware is allowing 28.3 points per game and 391.6 yards of total offense to opponents this season. They are the fourth best passing defense in CUSA, holding opponents to 230 yards passing per game while ranking 9th in rushing defense, allowing 161.6 yards on the ground. Teams have had some success on 4th downs against the Blue Hens, converting 10 of 12 opportunities. KT Seay and Mysonne Pollard each have two interceptions on the season.

Delaware has struggled at times and on certain units on special teams. They rank last in CUSA in field goals made, connecting on 4 of 8 field goals this season. The Blue Hens are also last in punting, averaging 36 yards per punt.

Previous Meeting

  • N/A, first meeting
  • Series: N/A

Key Players to Watch

  • Nick Minicucci (QB)
  • Jo Silver (RB)
  • Kyre Duplessis (WR)
  • Gavin Moul (LB)
  • KT Seay (S)

Delaware Recent/Upcoming Schedule & Results

  • October 3: Western Kentucky 27, Delaware 24
  • October 15: Jacksonville State 38, Delaware 25
  • October 22: Delaware 31, Middle Tennessee 28
  • November 1: at Liberty
  • November 8: vs Louisiana Tech