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It’s not football season, but there’s a game area fans may be interested in seeing April 18.
The University of Delaware closes spring practice with its annual Blue-White intrasquad game.
It provides a sneak peek as the Blue Hens prepare for the major challenge looming this fall.
Delaware, a longtime national power at college football’s lower levels, is moving up to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl in Conference USA this year. The April 18 game provides an early glimpse of players who will lead the Hens on that challenging transition in 2025.
The season opens with an Aug. 28 visit from Delaware State, but then features a trip to Colorado, a home bout with Connecticut and Conference USA play starting Sept. 20 at Florida International.
How to see the University of Delaware spring football game
The spring game kicks off at 6 p.m. April 18 at Delaware Stadium. Parking lots open at 4 p.m. and stadium gates at 5 p.m.
Admission is free to Delaware Stadium for the spring game. It is not being streamed or aired on the radio.
What’s the weather forecast?
Mostly cloudy and windy with temperatures near 60.
How does the University of Delaware spring football game work?
In recent years, the Blue team has been the offense and the White team has been the defense, though the latter has actually worn black uniforms. While the offense would score in traditional ways, the defense earned points via fourth-down stops and takeaways and was also spotted a certain number of points before the game starts.
This year’s setup is different. Several portions of the event will include actually scrimmaging, as before. But there will also be positional competitions, including receivers against defensive backs, offensive linemen against defensive linemen and others measuring quarterbacks’ throwing skills, players’ open-field tackling, kickers’ range and accuracy and punt return catching skills.
What’s something new Blue Hens football fans may notice?
Delaware has added names to the back of its jerseys for the first time.
Who will likely play quarterback?
Zach Marker, who has started several games the past two years, will likely get first-team reps along with Braden Streeter, who threw a touchdown pass on his first college throw last fall as a freshman.
Austin Troyer, the Middletown High walk-on who has impressed UD coaches with his ability, and promising freshman E.J. Archield, Jr., will also see duty.
Nick Minicucci, Delaware’s starter to close last season, will not see spring game action as he continues his return from shoulder surgery, though he has practiced some this spring.
What’s a position to watch?
Coach Ryan Carty’s spread offense is at its best and most exciting when the Blue Hens are making downfield strikes in the pass game. Delaware has wide receivers capable of doing that.
Several will likely have such opportunity April 18, including returnees such as Max Patterson, Nicholas Laboy, Ja’Carree Kelly and Jake Thaw, recent Rutgers transfer Thomas Amankwaa and younger players such as Sean Wilson, whose two receptions as a freshman last year were for touchdowns, and Donovan Lewis, who caught five passes last year.
What’s worth watching on defense?
Blake Matthews and Anthony Crenshaw Jr. have been seeing duty in the important playmaking bandit position.
With Tyrone Herring’s graduation, Delaware has big shoes to fill at one of the cornerback positions, with Nate Evans, Kshawn Cox and Nyair Domnie among those vying.
And up front, who can put pressure on the quarterback and get tackles for lost yardage?
Which transfers are debuting at the University of Delaware spring football game?
On defense, Woodbridge graduate and Kentucky transfer Noah Matthews will be among those seeking sacks and TFLs as a defensive lineman.
Boston College transfer Kahlil Ali is among those bidding for time at safety and former Iowa Central player JaWarren Corbin is a promising linebacker.
In addition to Amankwaa on offense, center Patrick Methlie, the Salesianum graduate who transferred from West Chester, and tackle Noah Rosahack, who left Syracuse, have seen duty with the second unit up front.
Who are other ex-Delaware high school players bidding for roles?
Guard Jake O’Donoghue out of Saint Mark’s and tackle Carter Sareyka from Red Lion each joined the team last year as preferred freshman walk-ons and impressed the coaches with their potential. Each has seen second-team duty.
What freshmen will play?
In addition to Archield, Delaware has several Class of 2025 recruits who graduated from high school early and are already enrolled. Others are safety A.J. Graham, cornerback Azir Lee, linebacker Julius Puryear, defensive lineman Michah Pryor and wide receiver Calvin Thomas. Graham, in particular, appears to be pushing for playing time.
Are 2025 University of Delaware football game tickets available?
Delaware has already begun selling season tickets, with discounts for UD alumni, staff and parents, for the six home games in its historic FBS debut in 2025. Single-game tickets will go on sale later.
Among the major attractions will be that Aug. 28 opener against Delaware State and its new coach DeSean Jackson, the Sept. 13 visit from former conference rival Connecticut and the first home CUSA game Oct. 3 against Western Kentucky. That’s a Friday night game that will be nationally televised and it’s also Family & Parents Weekend, ensuring an early sellout. Homecoming is Nov. 8 against Louisiana Tech.
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.
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