Delaware Readies For Match-Up With No. 1 UNH

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The University of Delaware will face a big test on Saturday as the Blue Hens travel up to Durham, New Hampshire, to take on a University of New Hampshire team that is ranked #1 in the nation in the The Sports Network FCS Poll (#2 in Coaches' Poll).

6-4 Delaware will come into this game with some momentum. They've won two straight, including a 31-28 road win last time out against Albany. In that game the Blue Hens rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns.

"When we run the football, that gives us our best chance to be successful," Delaware head coach Dave Brock tells KYW Newsradio. "Not only offensively, but as a team. It was exciting. I felt going into the game that we'd have a good week offensively, we had great practices, things just started clicking, it looked better. The guys went out and played really, well. It's exciting."

Listen to Dave Brock with KYW's Matt Leon

New Hampshire is 8-1 this season, with the only loss coming against FBS Toledo. They average 38.2 points per game. Brock breaks down their offense.

"They're unique," Brock says. "I think they are very talented. They've got a terrific wide receiver (RJ Harris), quarterback, they've got two quarterbacks (Sean Goldrich and Andy Vailas) who've won for them all year. They run the ball efficiently. I think their offensive line is excellent and probably the least talked about group on their team although they are really, really a talented group that does things well. And they are efficient."

Brock says they also obviously know what it takes to win.

"Every kid in that program has been to the playoffs every year they've been in the program," Brock says. "They don't know anything but winning up there."

So this all adds up to a big challenge for the Blue Hens, but Brock says they welcome it.

"For our program right now," Brock says, "we're in the front end of a rebuilding situation and to have the chance to go up to UNH and play them as the #1 team, it's a great litmus test for us. It's a great program measurer. Our guys are excited, they've been all over the building the last couple of days and looking forward to the challenge. We're going to go up there and absolutely cut it loose."

Delaware and New Hampshire last played in 2012. New Hampshire winning 34-14.

Saturday's game will kickoff at 1:00pm.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.

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