College Football Preview: Delaware Blue Hens

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The 2014 season was an up and down one for the University of Delaware football team.

The Blue Hens finished up with a 6-6 record, going 4-4 in the very tough Colonial Athletic Association.

Head coach Dave Brock is hopeful they can take things to another level in 2015 and he likes what he has seen so far in camp.

"Really exciting," Brock tells KYW Newsradio. "It's been an awful lot of fun. Guys are flying around, we've got a lot of energy. Real young team and with that comes a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm. We have a lot more depth than we've ever had. The guys are really working hard."

Listen to the entire interview with Delaware head coach Dave Brock

The Blue Hens will have a new quarterback this season after the graduation of three-year starter Trent Hurley, who threw for 6,446 yards during his career. Brock says two players have been battling for the job throughout camp.

"We're getting closer to a decision," Brock says. "Both (junior) Blake Rankin and (redshirt freshman) Joe Walker have had good camps. I would of loved it if one of them just separated themselves from the other, that didn't happened and they're both still grinding away."

Brock says he expects to make a decision on a starting quarterback by Thursday.

Regardless of who is under center, Brock expects his team to be able to run the football against anyone.

"We have four out of five guys back up front (on the offensive line) and I think we have the best running back tandem in the CAA with (junior Jalen Randolph) and (junior) Wes (Hills)," Brock says. "I think our ability to be physical and run the football, control the football offensively will be critical for us. That will obviously help the quarterback position."

Hills ran for 952 yards last season, averaging 5.5 yards a carry and scoring six touchdowns. Randolph averaged 5.2 yards a carry while finishing with 629 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014.

On the other side of the football, the Blue Hens allowed 27.2 points a game last year. Brock is hoping improved depth on defense will help bring that number down in 2015.

"I think we're going to be able to play anywhere from 18 to 22 players and all of them I think will be able to play well for us and fast," Brock says. "We're getting bigger and more physical and faster on defense. Those are the characteristics you really look for."

The Blue Hens will open the 2015 season on Friday night, September 4th, when they host Jacksonville.

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