There were over 20 BHTC members in attendance to watch our team defeat Louisiana 20-13. The City of Mobile put on a great event, from the Mardi Gras parade to the game itself. Our group was able to attend the UD Welcome Event following the parade, and we also had a chance to visit the USS Alabama Memorial. The USS Alabama earned 9 Battle Stars in World War II.
The display at the memorial also included a B-52.
Of course, the highlight was that evening’s victory. The University of Delaware put on a great pre-game tailgate, including the Marching Band, Cheerleaders and Dance Team. As our QB #4 Nick Minicucci said: “We Are Legit”!
Congratulations to our players, coaches and administration for making all of this possible.
When UD makes their next bowl game, we recommend making the trip!
Congratulations to the players and staff members for securing a post season bowl bid in our first year of FBS football!
By now, you know all of the details: We are playing the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns’ on Wednesday, December 17th at 8:30 PM in Mobile, AL. This will be our 7th nationally televised game, this time on ESPN.
Check BlueHens.com for updates leading up to the game. If you cannot make it to the game, consider donating tickets to our students at only $19 each:
Donated tickets will help Delaware meet its ticket commitment and will be given to students traveling to Mobile, AL to cheer on the Hens.
GO HENS!
Coach Corico Wright (defensive pass game coordinator and
cornerbacks coach) led off the meeting speaking about team
discipline and how proud he was of the team in this regard.
Penalties like holding and pass interference calls are effort
penalties and tolerated while penalties such as unsportsmanlike
conduct and mental errors (motion, offsides, etc.) are not. Injuries
can have an effect on discipline as well and Coach Wright
detailed the loss of three of his eight cornerbacks to injury prior to
the start of the season. However, the veterans have stepped up
and the true freshmen have played well.
Women’s Head Basketball Coach, Sarah Jenkins, delighted
those in attendance with her infectious personality and great
sense of humor. Although in better shape than last year (down to
six players at one point), the injury bug has hit the team again this
year. One of last year’s starters, Ella Wanzer, broke her ankle
just prior to the start of the season and Ava Andrews (6-3 forward
who can dunk) is navigating a hip issue. The team also lost its
starting point guard, Kendall Scott, to an ACL tear.
Coach Jenkins told her audience that her team “can’t defend a
parked car” and makes too many mistakes. However, they are
extremely talented and she feels once certain improvements are
made they can compete for a CUSA championship.
Casey Macdonald, the Senior Associate Athletic Director for
Development, spoke to us about the Student Athlete Excellence
Fund which funds athletes through NIL dollars. NIL and revenue
sharing is hitting all sports and in order to attract and retain top
players money is needed through giving to this Fund.
Finally, Fred Rullo, UD Athletics Hall of Fame member and
generous benefactor to the university, told us numerous stories
about his football playing days under The Admiral, Dave Nelson.
From his days growing up in Chester, PA to his recruitment and
playing experience at UD, Fred contrasted the differences
between those days and the current day. Fred’s humorous
anecdotes kept the lunch crowd entertained and we are happy to
have Fred Rullo as a University of Delaware supporter!
NOTE: Annual Awards Banquet on Feb. 6, 2026. Details and register here:
BANQUET RESERVATIONS
We had outstanding guests to hear from on 11/13: OL Coach Chris Rogers, MVP Nate Reed, MBB Coach Martin Ingelsby, and Chris Locke of the Unlocke the Light Foundation.
First was Chris Rogers. As an alumnus of Sam Houston and a former coach there with Ryan Carty, Chris has an emotional bond with the Bearkats. The coach discussed the development of our offensive line since he came to UD. The unit had been much maligned, but with hard work, persistence and recruiting, it is one of the most improved areas of the team. The pass blocking has helped protect QB Nick Minicucci, but there is a strong desire to grow the running attack.
Nate Reed, BHTC Special Teams MVP, received a warm welcome following his performance vs. La Tech. Between Nate’s four field goals, including the 51 yard game winner, along with ANOTHER successful onside kick, Nate received a lot of love from the attendees! Nate told us that when the onside kick was successful, he knew that the following field goal would be a big moment for him and the team. Nate was also named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the week, as well as national recognition as a recipient of the Lou Groza Award for placekickers.
Head Men’s Basketball Coach spoke of the encouraging performance vs. BYU and looked ahead to the 11/18 game vs. St. Peter’s. There is an expectation that some currently injured players will be available for that next contest. In answering a question, Coach Ingelsby also discussed the challenges of recruiting and retaining players in the new era of seven figure NIL agreements.
Last we heard from Chris Locke about the Unlocke the Light Foundation and “Sean’s House” at 137 W. Main Street in Newark. The foundation is providing needed services to those suffering from depression. Chris related the story of his son, Sean, who took his life seven years ago, and the importance of listing to others, and asking questions of those that might be giving a hidden clue as to their depression. More information here: https://www.unlockethelight.com/
Photo of Nate Reed’s game winning 51 yard FG , courtesy of Delawareonline.com
When talking about football the discussion may turn to helmets.
But who would have thought that what goes into this critically
important piece of equipment can be very complex.
Kevin (Radar) McCarthy, Associate Athletic Director for
Equipment Operations, and Alec Schwartz, Head Football
Equipment Manager, gave the club a demonstration of the new
“green dot” helmets. The coaching staff can speak from the
sideline directly to the quarterback and the designated defensive
player through the helmets. The club’s quarterback, Russ Crook,
was given the headset to speak to club members and guests for
many to hear (green dot helmets were distributed to various
tables around the room). It appears that Russ called the correct
play!
All helmets are personalized to fit each player based on a scan of
their heads. The equipment team continually looks at studies that
will guide them to purchase helmets that protect players from
concussions and other injuries. The cost of $800 per helmet
appears to be well worth it.
Those helmets should be strapped on tightly on Saturday against
C-USA opponent Louisiana Tech. After a loss last week against
Liberty, Coach Garrett Smith (Tight Ends and Assistant Special
Teams coach) told the club that corrections have been made and
the team has practiced with greater attention to detail. According
to Coach Smith, it was the best week of practice all year. It will be
a tough game against the Bulldogs whose defense, is at the top of
the league.
Delaware last played LA Tech in the I-AA playoffs in 1983 on
national TV (ABC) on a cold and rainy Saturday beating the
Techsters on their home field 17-0. A member of that team, Joe
Quigg, spoke about that game and his experiences at UD under
Hall of Fame coach Tubby Raymond.
Joe still holds the program record for sacks in a season (16).
Using his best voice impression of Tubby, Joe told us some
memorable and humorous “Tubby stories”. After a loss to West
Chester and prior to the next game versus William and Mary,
Tubby singled out Quigg, then in his second year as a starter, with
the motivational words, “Quigg, when are you going to do
something!”. Those few well-timed words were all the motivation
he needed for the remainder of the season.
Hopefully this year’s Hens are motivated for what looks like a
fantastic Homecoming game!
Go Hens!
Photos: Scott Messina and Mark Werrell
Narrative: Mark Werrell
Before the game with Liberty University, we heard from Defensive Coordinator, Manny Rojas, Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach, Ben DeLuca, and the always informative Football S.I.D., Ed LeFurge.
Coach Rojas, who is himself an alumnus of Liberty, gave a preview of key personnel for the Flames. They have a big QB that is coming off an injury, so he may not run a lot, but there is also a talented group of tight ends and wide receivers. Manny was asked about the long bus ride to Lynchburg, and he said he prefers it, as it gives time to get a little rest! There was further discussion about recruiting and all the “chaos” that is going on in college athletics. He did say that our new national exposure is creating opportunities with more and better athletes. Academics remains high on the list of advantages that UD has to offer.
Coach DeLuca reviewed the challenging schedule that MLAX will have in the new year. Our new conference affiliation in the Atlantic 10 offers excellent competition, with the University of Richmond probably the biggest challenge. The out of conference schedule offers a path to an at large bid to the NCAA, if we can be successful. There are currently 55 athletes on the roster, which must be brought down to 48 by the time the season starts. Recruiting continues both nationally, internationally (Canada), and locally.
The always helpful, Ed LeFurge, gave us a report on the successful men’s (11-1-2) and women’s (10-2-5) soccer programs. The women open the CUSA tournament on Sunday at Liberty, and the men have a home game vs. St. Thomas on Saturday. Volleyball has their sights on a possible CUSA post season tournament. Ice Hockey and Field Hockey continue their competitions.
Next Week: We meet on THURSDAY, 11/6 and hear from Tight End Coach Garrett Smith, Joe Quigg, record holding sack artist, and RADAR our head Equipment Manager.
REGISTER HERE: Registration Form
Join us this week as we hear from:
Coach to speak: Manny Rojas, Defensive Coordinator
Guest speaker: Ben DeLuca, Head Coach, Men’s Lacrosse
Register here:
Bob Carpenter Club
Doors open at 11:00
Food served at 11:15
Program at 12:00
OTHER EVENTS:
Coaches Radio Show LIVE at Kate’s at 7:00 on Wednesday, October29
94.7 FM WDSD with host, Scott Klatzin, Coach Carty and two player guests
Watch for Coach Carty’s weekly media interview on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 11:20 AM on YouTube.com and also later, on demand.
Read about our MVP’s for the Middle Tennessee State victory here:
NOTE FOR PAID MEMBERS:
Watch your email inbox for your advance copy of the weekly Game Notes for Liberty University
Thanks to Ed LeFurge, Football SID, for making this possible!
Photo Credit: Scott Messina
Two speakers, one common thread! That’s what we heard at last
week’s lunch meeting prior to the Middle Tennessee game. Xavier
Dye, the Hens current running backs coach, and Roger Mason, a
running back for the Hens from 1969-72, both spoke of recruiting.
Roger said he came to UD because he wanted to play good
football and get a great education. Those same core desires are
still sought current day.
As the college football environment has changed dramatically
over the past 50 years, Coach Dye explained that facilities and
amenities also play a large part in today’s recruiting scene. The
Joe Flacco weight room, nutritional guidance, and a medical
facility on campus are very attractive to recruits and their parents.
The rich tradition that is UD football, which was contributed to by
such players as Roger Mason, is still the major attraction for
recruitment today. Espoused by coaches and staff to create a
family atmosphere, the winged helmet is a symbol around which
players of all generations can compete with excellence and a
“daring spirit bold”!
Here they are:
Offensive MVP: #18 Sean Wilson
Defensive MVP: #1 Nate Evans
Special Teams MVP: #91 Nate Reed
Next Meeting: Thursday, October 30
Coach to speak: Manny Rojas, Defensive Coordinator
Guest speaker: Ben DeLuca, Head Coach, Men’s Lacrosse
The BHTC Scout Team Players of the Week for the Middle Tennessee State University Game are:
Offense: #13 Ty Salazar (WR)
Defense: #15 Gevaris Lassiter (LB)
Photo on top:
Delaware receiver Sean Wilson waits on his second touchdown reception in the Blue Hens’ 31-28 win against Middle Tennessee State at Delaware Stadium, Oct 22, 2025.
William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal
On the first ever BHTC meeting on a Monday, the Club heard from Defensive Line Coach, Kyre Hawkins. The special guest was ESPN play by play announcer, Mike Corey.
Coach Hawkins gave us a look ahead to our game with Jacksonville State. The team did not have a successful trip, but looks to rebound against Middle Tennessee University on Wednesday, October 22nd. This will be a second opportunity this year to present the Blue Hens to the nation on an ESPN channel in prime time. The game is on ESPN2.
Mike Corey reminisced about his years broadcasting UD athletic contests, and provided a great story or two about Hall of Fame Coach Tubby Raymond. Mike is currently teaching a class at UD, and is working on a documentary about the UMass (his alma mater) run to the Final Four in basketball in the 1995-1996 basketball season. You can see a trailer for the production at:
www.283Productions.com
Please join us on Tuesday, October 21st, as we hear from Running Backs Coach Xavier Dye and Football Alum, Roger Mason.