Delaware Football: Blue Hens run away from Hornets in Week 1, 35-17

Newark, DE — It was an in-state rivalry matchup in Newark, as the Delaware Blue Hens faced the Delaware State Hornets in Week 1 of the college football season. It was former NFL wide receiver Desean Jackson’s first game as a head coach he had his team ready to play. In fact, this game was much closer than the final score indicated, and Delaware State actually took the first lead. However, costly penalties and errors set the team back until it was too much to handle.

Delaware Football: Blue Hens defeat Delaware State 35-17

New Quarterback, No Problem

Early in the game, Delaware starting quarterback Zach Marker suffered an injury on a scramble attempt. While he would eventually limp off the field, he would not return to the game. In his place was junior signal-caller Nick Minicucci, who put together an impressive performance.

After starting slow, Minicucci started to put on a show for the hometown crowd. The backup quarterback went 28-for-36 with 251 yards and three passing touchdowns. He also ran the ball nine times for 47 yards and a touchdown, while running over a defender in the process.

Backup quarterback Nick Minicucci powers his way into the end zone on a 9-yard scramble, running over a defender in the process. Delaware now holds a 7-3 lead. #RollHens pic.twitter.com/rStGUROQsN

— Thomas Christopher (@TommyCFB) August 29, 2025

As a passer, Minicucci was decisive and efficient. While he took what the offense gave him, he also took some deep shots and looked for one-on-one opportunities. In all, Delaware fans – and coaches – should be impressed by what they saw from their backup quarterback. And while Week 2 at Colorado may be a challenge, Minicucci showed promise and something to build on going forward.

Running Wild

In a game where the passing attack favored the Blue Hens, Delaware State had a formidable running back duo that had tremendous success.

Marquis Gillis was truly unstoppable on the field. Whether as a runner or receiver, he continued to punish the Delaware defense. On a fourth down play, Gillis broke off a 39-yard run that would have been a touchdown. However, a holding penalty negated the score.

Backup quarterback Nick Minicucci powers his way into the end zone on a 9-yard scramble, running over a defender in the process. Delaware now holds a 7-3 lead. #RollHens pic.twitter.com/rStGUROQsN

— Thomas Christopher (@TommyCFB) August 29, 2025

Later in the game, Gillis ripped off a 45-yard run before being dragged down by defenders. The running back showcased great speed, but also versatility.

As a receiver, Gillis hauled in three receptions for 46 yards, including an incredible 39-yard touchdown. The running back made defenders miss before tight-roping along the sideline for the score.

In the end, Gillis finished the game with 169 total yards and a touchdown. Yet more importantly, he made a name for himself against an FBS team. While the Hornets didn’t come out with a win, they did showcase they have plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball.

Old Reliable

In our preview to this matchup, one offensive player to keep an eye on was wide receiver Jake Thaw. While he didn’t make much of a splash in the first half, Thaw was a steady presence for Delaware in the second half of the game.

The wide receiver showcased sure hands throughout the contest. He secured multiple passes between two defenders while taking big hits. Not only did he stay in the game, but he was a true chain-mover for the Delaware offense in the second half. Later in the fourth quarter, that reliability paid off.

With the game getting out of hand, Minicucci connected with Thaw for a 50-yard touchdown that sealed the deal for the Blue Hens.

Other Notes

• Quarterback Zach Marker has been ruled out of the season after suffering an injury in the first quarter.
• Wide receiver Kyre Duplessis caught seven passes on nine targets. He put up 89 yards and a touchdown – all of which were career-highs.
• Linebackers Gavin Moul and Dillon Trainer put together solid performances. They were around the ball all night and made multiple big stops in key moments.
• Safeties Kahlil Ali and KT Seay both had interceptions on the game. Ali’s interception was a pick-six, his first in his career.
• Delaware State quarterback Kaiden Bennett looked good in limited action. He joined the team late, but there’s promise for the Hornets going forward.

College Football: What’s Next for Delaware?

Without Zach Marker, Delaware will rely on Minicucci going forward. While he looked good against Delaware State, it remains to be seen how that will play out going forward. However, the team is currently 1-0, and that’s all that matters.

In Week 2, Delaware heads west to take on Colorado on September 6.