Manny Rojas
The University of Delaware is fortunate that Manny Rojas is an excellent
defensive coordinator and not a meteorologist. A sly smile crossed his face
prognosticating to the Touchdown Club attendees that the rain would stop
just prior to gametime and resume when the game ends. Well, there are
some fans in attendance last Saturday who are still drying out!
Coach Rojas said that the development of the younger players on the
defensive side of the ball has been very good. Replacing 8 of 11 starters
as the season started has been a challenge but the players are having fun
meeting that challenge. Thus far, the results have reflected the
development as the defense has yielded just 7 touchdowns and 5 field
goals in 5 games (not including the Penn State game).
Coach gave us a brief scouting report for A&T which included an excellent
kick off return man (to whom we did not kick the ball), a large OL, hard
physical running backs, a terrific blocking tight end, and a QB that could run
well.
Addressing recruiting, the make up of the roster, and graduating 31 players
last year, Coach Rojas stated that in today’s environment coaches need to
find the best fit for the team each year. There is a need to balance
graduate transfers, transfers, and freshmen.

Bob Lundquist
What a pleasure to hear from former player Bob Lundquist who graduated
from Delaware in 1981. From playing on the freshman football team to
being elected captain of the 1980 team (the lone captain!), Bob gave us
some “Tubbyisms” to enjoy.
When he visited campus in the Spring of 1977 and had not yet made up his
mind as to where he would matriculate (Colgate, Bucknell, Brown and
Maine were among others schools recruiting him), Tubby told Bob, “We’d
love to have you come here, but we’re not going to kiss you”. The
comment seemed to have sealed the deal for Bob, as he committed to
Delaware shortly thereafter.
One year when scheduled to play Temple at Veteran Stadium, the team
traveled early on the Friday before the Saturday game to see and have a
walk through at the cavernous venue. Tubby told the team, “We came on
Friday because I don’t want you to pee in your pants on Saturday”. The
preview worked as Delaware went on to defeat the Owls.
After Bob received the great honor of being named the team’s lone captain,
Tubby reminded him, “It’s great that your teammates elected you captain,
but don’t forget to be a player first”. It’s obvious that Bob took this as a
metaphor for his life after football as well.
Bob was quick to let the club know that he was on the teams that defeated
both Temple and Villanova two years in a row. For those of us who hold
those rivalries as important, we cheered Bob’s enthusiasm.

Our MVPs for the week, and information on this THURSDAY’S meeting:

Coach to Speak: Offensive Line Coach, Chris Rogers