2008 CAA FOOTBALL PREVIEW: DELAWARE BLUE HENS
A uniquely challenging year faces the University of Delaware football team in 2008, and head coach K.C. Keeler and his team wouldn’t have it any other way.
Riding the wave of an exciting post-season run that saw the Blue Hens advance to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision championship game last fall, this season’s fortunes will depend on how well Delaware can replace two record-setting offensive stars, how effective a deep and talented defense can lead the way, and how much they can handle the most difficult schedule in school history.
“We face a real challenging year in many ways,” said Keeler, who has led the Blue Hens to three NCAA Tournament appearances during the last five seasons, including two trips to the national championship game. “At Delaware, our goal every year is to win the CAA and make it into the playoffs. That hasn’t changed. But our schedule is just brutal. In this league, you are tested every week and it’s especially tough when you get on the road.”
Not only do the Hens open the season by traveling to perennial FBS bowl contender Maryland, but two weeks later travel to FCS playoff contender Furman. When CAA action starts, the Hens must face the three top-rated teams - Massachusetts, Richmond, and James Madison - on the road.
The Hens welcome the return of 14 starters, but the bulk of that experience comes on the defensive side of the ball, where the Hens will be among the top units in the CAA.
Junior defensive end Matt Marcorelle is a Buck Buchanan Award candidate and teams with fellow senior Ronald Talley to form one of the nation’s top duos at end. Senior linebacker Erik Johnson is a force in the middle after a dominating post-season a year ago, and all four starters are back in the secondary.
But Delaware’s offense, its hallmark a year ago as record-setting quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Omar Cuff paced the league’s most dynamic attack, has holes to fill. In addition to losing Flacco and Cuff to the National Football League, the Hens must replace three starters on the offensive front.
Redshirt freshman Lou Ritacco and transfers Rob Schoenhoft (Ohio State) and Sean Hakes (Akron) will battle to replace Flacco at quarterback, while a committee led by juniors Jerry Butler and Jared Bradley, and sophomore Phillip Thaxton will look to handle the running chores in the one-back offense.
The offensive strength revolves around a talented group of veteran wide receivers in All-America Aaron Love, all-purpose threat Kervin Michaud, and Mark Duncan. They are joined by All-America tight end Robbie Agnone. The four combined to gain over 3,000 yards and scored 16 touchdowns in 2007.
All-America senior center Kheon Hendricks will anchor a revamped offensive front that will include several new starters. On special teams, record-setting All-America junior Jon Striefsky, who converted 21 field goals a year ago, is back.
“We need to develop a personality on this team, but I’m excited about our talent and leadership,” said Keeler. “We have the chance for another outstanding season.”
New on CAASports.com this season is The CAA Football Pressbox. Located as a button on the homepage as well as in the menus down the left-hand side of the football page, The Pressbox is the official source for all CAA Football information. Check The Pressbox each week for updated team-by-team weekly releases, two-deep charts, league and team stats as well as other "media-type" information. CAA Football plans to archive the conference's weekly releases throughout the 2008 season, in addition to archiving each team's home-game flipcards in a printer-friendly format. Also available on the site are coach and player pictures and each team's logo and helmet illustration. Check The Pressbox every week to find in-depth information that all CAA Football fans can't live without.