The 2014 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team represented the University of Delaware as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) during the 2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by second-year head coach Dave Brock, the Fightin' Blue Hens compiled an overall record of 6–6 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, placing in a four-way tie for fifth in the CAA. The team played home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware.

Preseason Recruiting class Delaware announced the signing of 22 players on February 5, 2014.

Transfers Three players transferred into Delaware for the 2014 Season: Player Position Previous School Hometown C.J. Jones DB Boston College Wilmington, DE Blake Rankin QB Rutgers Bloomsburg, PA Anthony Speziale OL Wagner Manahawkin, NJ

Preseason awards Nick Boyle – CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team (Tight End) Eric Enderson – CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team (Punter), The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-American Second Team (Punter) Michael Johnson – The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-American Third Team (All Purpose). Jalen Randolph – CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Candidate Ryan Torza – CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Candidate Laith Wallschleger – CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Candidate

Conference predictions Delaware was picked to finish sixth in the CAA Preseason Poll. CAA Preseason Poll (first place votes) 1. New Hampshire (15) 2. Villanova (2) 3. Richmond (3) 4. William & Mary (3) 5. Towson 6. Delaware 7. Maine 8. James Madison (1) 9. Stony Brook 10. UAlbany 11. Rhode Island 12. Elon

Preseason rankings FCS Coaches Poll Delaware received 15 votes in the Preseason Coaches Poll, resulting in a tie for 35th. The Blue Hens face four teams ranked in the preseason poll (#4 New Hampshire, #7 Towson, #13 Villanova, and #22 William & Mary). In addition, they meet up with two teams to receive votes but not be ranked (James Madison and Sacred Heart).

The Sports Network FCS Poll Delaware received 213 votes in the Preseason TSN poll, good for 29th overall. The Blue Hens are scheduled to face four teams that were ranked in the poll in 2014 (#4 New Hampshire, #12 Villanova, #13 Towson, and #19 William & Mary). In addition, they will face two teams that received votes but were not in the top 25 (James Madison – 180 votes and Sacred Heart – 14 votes).

Schedule

Opening depth chart

Coaching staff Name Position Year Alma mater Dave Brock Head coach 2013 Salisbury (1994) Sean Devine Offensive coordinator/offensive line 2013 Colby (1994) Tim Weaver Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers 2013 Davidson (1990) Dennis Dottin-Carter Co-defensive coordinator/defensive line 2013 Maine (2002) Brian Ginn Quarterbacks 2000 Delaware (2000) Bryan Bossard Wide receivers 2014 Delaware (1988) Tony Lucas Running backs 2013 Columbia (2003) Eddie Allen Special teams coordinator/tight ends 2014 New Haven (2003) Henry Baker Cornerbacks 2011 Maryland (2003) Tom McEntire Safeties 2013 Thiel (2006) Jerry Oravitz Associate Director of Athletics for Football Administration 1997 Salisbury (1984) David Baylor Player Development 2006 Bentley (1997) Jude Moser Administrative Assistant

Roster (as of July 29, 2014)Quarterbacks 2 Trent Hurley – Senior 7 Blake Rankin – Sophomore 8 Justin Burns – Senior 15 Joseph Walker – Freshman 16 Richard Czeczotka – Sophomore

Wide receivers 4 Jerel Harrison – Junior 6 Andrew Opoku – Senior 17 Michael Johnson – Senior 18 Quai Jefferson – Freshman 21 Stephen Clark – Senior 27 Troy Gallen – Freshman 37 Ricky Emerson – Freshman 80 Diante Cherry – Freshman 81 Andrew Peterson – Sophomore 83 Kevin Macari – Junior 84 DeAndre Davis – Freshman 85 Rick Bell – Junior 88 Tre Brown – Freshman

Tight ends 10 Kyle Yocum – Freshman 26 Ryan Cobb – Senior 30 Ryley Angeline – Freshman 82 Matt Rodriguez – Junior 86 Nick Boyle – Senior 87 Jake Powell – Freshman 97 Andrew Grau – Freshman 99 Brandon Whaley – Freshman Running backs 28 Thomas Jefferson – Freshman 31 Wes Hills – Sophomore 32 Kareem Williams – Freshman 33 Jalen Randolph – Sophomore 47 Trejon Dinkins – Freshman

Offensive line 53 Andrew Consevage – Junior 54 Brody Kern – Freshman 60 Peter Thistle – Sophomore 61 Justin Glenn – Junior 63 Shawn Davis – Sophomore 64 Bryan Reed – Freshman 67 JD Dzurko – Senior 68 Will Lewis – Sophomore 69 Ben Curtis – Junior 70 Jake Trump – Freshman 71 Sam Collura – Junior 74 Michael Radespiel – Sophomore 75 Connor Bozick – Sophomore 76 Christian Marchena – Junior 77 Mario Farinella – Freshman 78 Jethro Pepe – Freshman 79 James Kretkowski – Freshman 92 Anthony Speziale – Freshman Defensive line 45 Chris Corvino – Senior 46 Laith Wallschleger – Senior 55 Brandon Henderson – Sophomore 57 Grant Roberts – Freshman 58 Josh Plummer – Junior 59 Vince Hollerman – Junior 72 David Tinsley – Junior 73 Blaine Woodson – Freshman 90 Derrick Saulsberry – Senior 92 Bilal Nichols – Freshman 95 John Nassib – Freshman 96 Cedric Udegbe – Freshman

Linebackers 5 Charles Bell – Freshman 20 Donte Raymond – Freshman 25 David Mackall – Senior 29 Anthony Jackson – Freshman 34 Jalen Kindle – Freshman 34 Justice Smith – Freshman 40 Derek Battle – Junior 41 Kennedy Ogbonna – Senior 42 Eric Patton – Sophomore 43 Larry Spears – Freshman 44 Pat Callaway – Senior 50 Brandon Snyder – Sophomore 51 Christopher Lail – Sophomore 52 Nate Haase – Freshman 53 Tommy Wilmoth – Freshman 54 Jordan Andrews – Freshman 91 Randall Schiccatano – Freshman Defensive backs 1 Malcolm Brown – Freshman 3 Craig Brodsky – Junior 9 Roman Tatum – Sophomore 11 Jake Giusti – Senior 12 Mark Doe – Sophomore 13 Maurice Harley – Freshman 14 Simba Gwashavanhu – Sophomore 22 Justin Watson – Freshman 23 Mario Rowson – Senior 24 Ryan Torzsa – Sophomore 31 Chris Buckley – Freshman 35 Khalig Gatson – Sophomore 37 Kivar Thurman – Senior

Punters 49 Eric Enderson – Sophomore

Place Kickers 19 Garrett Greenway – Junior 36 Brandon Tuozzolo – Sophomore 39 Kevin McLaughlin – Sophomore 98 Frank Raggo – Freshman

Long Snappers 66 Tim Sheridan – Freshman 89 Joe Fortunato – Junior

Game summaries Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh was coming off a win over Bowling Green in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in 2013.

First time Delaware was shut out since September 14, 1996 (a 27–0 loss at Villanova), snapping a streak of 220 games. Largest margin of defeat for Delaware since September 24, 1921 (an 89–0 loss at Pennsylvania). Offensive MVP: Nick Boyle – TE Defensive MVP: Simba Gwashavanhu – SS Special Teams MVP: Andrew Opoku – WR Pittsburgh went on to fall to Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Delaware State

Postponed from September 6 at 6 PM to September 7 at 12 PM due to lightning in the area. Jalen Randolph named Nate Beasley MVP. Offensive MVP: Jalen Randolph – RB Defensive MVP: Vince Hollerman – DE Special Teams MVP: Michael Johnson – WR

Colgate

James Madison

Delaware's first OT win since September 10, 2005, against Lehigh (34–33). Hens had lost three consecutive OT games since (2007 v. Richmond (5OT), 2010 v. Villanova, and 2012 v. Towson). James Madison went on to fall in the first round of the NCAA First Round to Liberty.

Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart was coming off of a NEC championship and a First Round loss to Fordham in 2013. Delaware's first FCS non-conference loss since January 7, 2011 (v. Eastern Washington, in the National Championship game). Delaware's first regular season FCS non-conference loss since September 20, 2008 (at Furman). Delaware's first home non-conference loss since September 16, 2006 (v. Albany). Sacred Heart went on to win the NEC championship and fall in the NCAA First Round to Fordham.

Elon

Towson

Towson was coming off a loss in the National Championship Game to North Dakota State in 2013. First Homecoming loss since October 31, 2009 to James Madison (20–8).

William & Mary

Rhode Island

Albany

New Hampshire

New Hampshire was coming off a Semifinal loss to North Dakota State in 2013. New Hampshire went on to win the CAA championship and fall to Illinois State in the NCAA Semifinals.

Villanova

Villanova went on to fall in the NCAA Quarterfinals to Sam Houston State.

Ranking movements

References