A look at the University of Delaware football schedule for 2024
Here are the teams the Blue Hens will play this football season. 01.08.24
The University of Delaware football seasons have long been embraced and appreciated by First State sports fans.
The Blue Hens held the state’s population in their grasp until the mid-20th century, when Delaware began to cement its status as one of the nation’s most successful teams at that level.
That level will soon change, which is why the 2024 season is unique. It begins on August 29 at Delaware Stadium against Bryant.
Delaware will play its final season as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association and the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision in 2024. Next year, Conference USA and the Football Bowl Subdivision will be Delaware’s home, a move announced last November.
This is a big step forward and a big challenge for a school that has already won six national titles. The Blue Hens hope to use 2024 as a springboard for success in 2025.
With Delaware unable to capture the CAA title and the NCAA playoffs due to its move to CUSA, the Hens have set high goals – an undefeated season – and are plotting their way there.
Looking ahead to the upcoming 2024 season, these are the issues that concern the Blue Hens:
Moving day is approaching
Delaware officials thought long and hard about whether or not to move up to the FBS. Ultimately, they felt it was the logical and smart decision, and now that promotion is a year away, they’re even more confident the Blue Hens are up to the task.
Important season
Although the CAA title and FCS playoff berth are out of the question this year, the Blue Hens still have a lot at stake, coach Ryan Carty said, including building a solid foundation for next year’s advancement.
Difficulty level
Delaware has an 11-game schedule, with some games looking significantly more difficult than others. See which opponents are likely to be the most formidable and which opponents the Blue Hens should be able to handle.
Yarns ends UD career
Marcus Yarns was considered quite the bane for the Blue Hens, as injuries toward the end of his high school career at Parkside in Salisbury, Maryland, may have scared schools away. The running back was a bigger threat on big plays every year at Delaware, including 939 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns last year with a 6.90 yards per carry average, which ranked him fourth nationally in the FCS. He hopes to finish his final UD season with flying colors — and catch the attention of the NFL.
The best of the First State
Tight end Elijah Sessoms leads a list of five Delaware players looking to make an impact for their home-state Hens this season.
A star in the making?
“Anwar is going to be a star for us,” UD offensive line coach Chris Rogers said of offensive lineman Anwar O’Neal. The Middletown High graduate was an FBS prospect and will now play a key role in the present and future as part of a UD team that is moving up to that level.
A chance to do more
Jake Thaw won a national championship at Michigan while playing punt returner for the Wolverines, and it was a tricky moment that Rose Bowl viewers will surely remember. After graduating from Michigan, Thaw hopes to become an even more valuable and versatile player for Delaware, where he joins several transfers who have improved the wide receiver position.
6 players to keep an eye on
Success in football requires 11 players each on offense and defense to operate and play in sync. But these six proven players – three each on offense and defense – will play a critical role in how Delaware performs in 2024.
Chance for ACC transfers to contribute more
Safety Jason Scott and cornerback Nate Evans had limited roles at their previous stops at Boston College and North Carolina State. They transferred to Delaware hoping to compete for starting spots and more playing time, and both have certainly earned it, which has boosted Delaware’s confidence in its secondary.
Questions to be answered
Every year, as a new season begins, many questions surround football teams. Here are eight questions about the Blue Hens that are worth asking.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com. And our DE Game Day newsletter.
