Delaware not quite up to FBS, Conference USA standards in 59-30 loss at Liberty

LYNCHBURG, Va. – For the first time this year, Delaware looked out of its league.

That was bound to happen at some point for the Blue Hens, first-year members of Conference USA and the Football Bowl Subdivision that they are.

And it shouldn’t come as a great surprise that their exposure came on the campus of Liberty University, inside Williams Stadium, against a scenic Appalachian Mountains backdrop to the west.

It was truly a perfect college football setting in which Delaware’s imperfections were revealed.

That Liberty, who took an unbeaten record to the Fiesta Bowl just two years ago, was the opponent who uncovered the Blue Hens’ flaws was only a bit surprising. The Flames had not been their usual ferocious selves this year.

Based on its recent performances, it actually appeared Delaware had a prayer against the Flames.

Those answered, however, were the exclusive domain of evangelically rooted Liberty on this day, which showed no mercy for each Delaware indiscretion in its 59-30 romp.

There were a multitude of those, including Delaware having to settle for three points instead of earning six or seven three times in the first half, with failed execution and penalties among the culprits there. It sent Delaware into halftime down 28-9.

And Liberty surely took advantage of each shortcoming while also running roughshod over the Blue Hens. Evan Dickens ran for a career-high 217 yards and four touchdowns, including his 72-scoring sprint on the second play of the second half.

It put Liberty ahead 35-9, which had to feel eerily familiar to the Blue Hens. They’d fallen behind 35-6 in their 38-25 loss at Jacksonville State Oct. 15.

Delaware did appear more overmatched in this one, however, and again went about inflating its passing stats while playing catchup.

“It’s just an all-around butt whoopin’ is what it was,” coach Ryan Carty said afterward.

Particularly pivotal moments occurred in the second quarter. Down 14-6 with fourth-and-6 at its own 28, Delaware attempted a fake punt on which Gavin Moul took the snap and then pitched to K.T. Seay.

Liberty wasn’t fooled, dropping Seay for a 7-yard loss. The Flames scored two plays later to go up 14-6.

“It was a terrible call in hindsight,” Carty said. “So that is what it is. Sometimes you make those  . . . It was just a well-defended play. But the look that we saw was conducive to it and the kid made a nice play, kind of ran right into it.”

Delaware did punt on its next series and almost had quarterback Ethan Vasko sacked on a third-and-8 at his 47 before he completed a 17-yard pass. Then, on a 19-yard catch that put Liberty at the 1, Seay appeared to have forced a fumble on which the ball hit the pylon – which would have been a touchback giving Delaware possession – but referees and replay officials ruled otherwise.

That was extremely pivotal. A touchdown there and another following an interception quickly put the Flames in command 28-6. It seemed like Delaware’s likelihood of winning had nearly vanished in an instant.

That’s where it’s important to remember that, as well as Delaware played to beat UConn and Florida International and nearly stun Western Kentucky, the Hens are first-year CUSA members. They’ve had one recruiting class and some transfer portal additions to build on what was already a very good FCS-level roster.

But this business of big-time college football is pitiless. Opportunity must be seized. Muscle and speed and smarts must be met with more of each.

 And mistakes get magnified, especially against a foe as formidable as Liberty.

 On Nov. 1, they amplified the fact that, for Delaware, the 2025 seasons is an initiation and the Hens still have a lot to learn.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.