NEWARK, Del. (CBS) - After holding off West Chester a week ago, 28-17, the University of Delaware will be home on Saturday hosting in-state rival Delaware State.

The Blue Hens are 1-1 overall — they lost to Navy in their opener.  Head coach KC Keeler says so far his team has had to endure growing pains with some young defensive backs.

“We graduated four All-Conference players in the secondary,” he tells KYW Newsradio.   “Three ended up in NFL camps — one is with the Chicago Bears right now (safety Anthony Walters).  You can tell that’s kind of our Achilles heel right now.”

Keeler says he expects the Hornets to try to take advantage of that secondary on Saturday.

“Obviously, when you look at us on defense, people are going to throw the football.  We’re pretty big and physical up front — I think it’s going to be tough to run the ball on us.   It just so happens that Delaware State has had some success throwing the football around.  Solid play at quarterback, offensive line has done a good job protecting.  But they really have some pretty talented wide receivers.”

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Delaware State brings a 2-0 record into this game.  It’s the first time they have won their first two games in a season since 2007.

Kickoff is set for Saturday at 6:00pm in Newark, Del.

Reported by Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio 1060

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