Delaware Readies For In-State Rival Delaware State
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Delaware Blue Hens will look to go 2-0 under new head coach Dave Brock on Saturday as they host First State rival Delaware State.
Delaware opened the season with a 51-35 victory over visiting Jacksonville on Thursday night. The Blue Hens overcame a 14-0 early deficit and four turnovers, rolled up 611 yards of offense and held the Dolphins to -37 yards rushing in the win.
"I think overall, there are a lot of lessons learned in that game, certainly a lot of teachable moments," Brock tells KYW Newsradio. "I thought our pace on offense was good. I thought we were able to attack and kind of play how we wanted and be controlled. Defensively, we really put them behind the eight-ball there in the beginning, (but) had a couple of turnovers deep in our own territory. The reality of those situations are you still want to come away with three points, not seven, which we weren't able to do. So that's a good learning experience. Once we got on track and really stopped beating ourselves, more or less, than I think we did a pretty good job of controlling it."
Dave Brock Interview
Delaware State went 6-5 a season ago and Saturday will mark their 2013 debut.
"This is their opening game, and I'm certain that they are crafty people down there in Dover," Brock says. "They probably have our film. We have a little bit of guess work and were just going to try and be suspicious of what they might do. They lost some really good players offensively, the quarterback, some skills guys. So we're anticipating seeing something similar to what they've done, we just don't know if it can be as intricate and those types of things."
Brock says his team will have to be sharp offensively against the Hornets defense.
"Defensively, they've done a good job in the past and the scheme will be similar and they will try and create some havoc," Brock says. " They are a movement and single linebacker, pressure defense. So I think that's what we will see."
Last season, Delaware beat Delaware State 38-14 in Newark. Blue Hens starting quarterback Trent Hurley threw a pair of touchdown passes and also ran for a win in that victory.
The Blue Hens and the Hornets will kick-off at 3:30pm on Saturday afternoon.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
