Delaware Looks To Ride First-Round Momentum Against Top-Seeded SDSU – HERO Sports

When the FCS committee introduced its 24-team playoff area, Delaware was not a lock to be chosen. The Blue Hens had completed the common season 7-4 and had misplaced three of their closing 4 video games. In these closing 4 video games, Delaware suffered losses to eventual playoff groups Elon and Richmond and ended the common season with a 29-26 loss to a Villanova squad that was the preseason Colonial Athletic Affiliation favourite however suffered by way of a disappointing 6-5 season. 

Armed with its playoff berth, Delaware got here out smoking within the first spherical, not completely sudden, however the margin of victory might have raised some eyebrows in a 56-17 victory over Saint Francis. 

Getting into the sport, the Blue Hens have been a 7.5-point favourite, in accordance with BetMGM.

As spectacular as its opening victory was, we’re guessing that no person’s predicting one other 39-point win when Delaware faces the most important problem of any second-round participant – no less than in accordance with the seedings – when the Blue Hens go to top-seeded South Dakota State on Saturday.

SDSU (10-1) had a first-round bye. 

 Second-Spherical Recreation Predictions

The final time these two met within the postseason, it didn’t work out so sizzling for the Blue Hens.

SDSU defeated Delaware 33-3 within the nationwide semifinals in the course of the abbreviated 2020-2021 spring season. The next week, SDSU misplaced to Sam Houston 23-21 in a heart-breaker, surrendering the game-winning landing with 16 seconds left.

In addition to being the highest seed, SDSU has much more incentives this yr. That is the eleventh straight journey to the postseason for the Jackrabbits, who’re searching for their first FCS title. 

So Delaware gained’t have the ability to sneak up on this yr’s prime seed. 

The larger query is, can the Blue Hens win the sport?

If early season Delaware reveals up, why not?

In fact, opening day Delaware could be a greater model. The Blue Hens opened the season by profitable at FBS Navy, 14-7.

That’s the identical Navy crew that beat a UCF crew that’s enjoying within the American Athletic Convention championship. The week earlier than that sport, Navy misplaced simply 35-32 to Notre Dame.

Beating Navy started a 5-0 run for Delaware, which ended when the CAA schedule bought a bit extra treacherous. The primary loss was 27-21 at a William & Mary crew that’s the No. 5 seed within the FCS event.

So three of the 4 losses have been to FCS playoff groups, with the opposite to Villanova. 

That’s the kind of schedule that might put together any crew for the postseason, however SDSU wasn’t precisely enjoying a weak schedule.

The lone loss was a gap 7-3 defeat to the Massive Ten’s Iowa, a crew that has hassle discovering the top zone however no drawback holding opponents out of it.

There was additionally a 23-21 signature win for the Jackrabbits over North Dakota State, which has merely gained 9 of the final 11 FCS titles.

What Delaware will want is a mistake-free sport from sixth-year quarterback Nolan Henderson, who has thrown 32 touchdowns, but additionally 9 interceptions. Within the opening playoff win over Saint Francis, he threw for 266 yards, 4 touchdowns, and one interception, whereas additionally dashing for 14 yards and a rating. 

In these occasions of frequent transfers, it’s not daily a quarterback spends six years on the similar college, however Henderson (6-1, 195) has achieved that. When he suffered a season-ending stomach harm within the fourth sport final season, Delaware by no means rebounded, going 2-5 of their closing seven video games after beginning the season 3-1.

Henderson performed in that nationwide semifinal loss to SDSU throughout that 20-21 spring season. 

He accomplished 18 of 21 for 142 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions, however he was sacked seven occasions. 

That would be the key. Delaware quarterbacks have been sacked 26 occasions (2.16 per sport), which is 71st amongst FCS groups. 

Second-Spherical Video games Ranked By Intrigue

It figures to be a low-scoring sport. SDSU is third nationally in scoring protection, permitting 15.5 factors, one spot forward of Delaware, which permits 16.25 ppg. 

From Delaware’s perspective, Henderson should come up huge and so will the bottom sport. Delaware averages 4.4 yards per carry. SDSU permits simply 2.5 yards per carry, which is No. 1 within the nation. 

In addition to Henderson, who has solely rushed for 147 yards and 4 scores, senior Kyron Cumby and the remainder of the Delaware working backs might want to play an enormous function. Cumby has rushed for 602 yards (6.6 avg.) and 4 touchdowns. 

The working backs should take some stress off Henderson, however he stays the important thing as as to if Delaware, which gained an FCS title in 2003, can sustain with the most important heavyweight within the event.