Delaware @ Villanova - Battle of Blue Game

[Gangtackle11]

Delaware 4-6 (3-4) vs. #11 Villanova 8-3 (4-3)

Villanova leads the series 30-21-1

Last Villanova win: 42-21 11/19/18

Last Delaware win: 26-16 11/19/11

Villanova current 7 game win streak is the longest in the history of the series.

Enjoy the week. See ya Saturday. ✌️

[Ivytalk]

I’m thinking Villanova 27, Delaware 14.

[caribbeanhen]

Nolan Henderson went down today on the first series, good news is he walked off the field and does not look like a knee....

If he plays next week, Delaware has a punchers chance

The Nova Defense really didn't look that stout on Friday night, at times they did but just not consistently

[Gangtackle11]

Nolan Henderson went down today on the first series, good news is he walked off the field and does not look like a knee....

If he plays next week, Delaware has a punchers chance

The Nova Defense really didn't look that stout on Friday night, at times they did but just not consistently

Villanova defense was w/o their 5th year LB Drew Wiley vs. LIU. He’s among the FCS leader in TFLs & is a solid edge rusher. He put some licks on Nolan last season. Hopefully, he’s back as Nova’s defense gets even more inexperienced if he isn’t. Nova has won games with offense in the CAA this season. Scoring 52, 33, 35, & 35 in their 4 CAA wins. 24, 35, & 20 in their losses. The Dirty Birds will need high 20s at a minimum to win this game. Dan Smith & friends are that good. ✌️

[caribbeanhen]

Villanova defense was w/o their 5th year LB Drew Wiley vs. LIU. He’s among the FCS leader in TFLs & is a solid edge rusher. He put some licks on Nolan last season. Hopefully, he’s back as Nova’s defense gets even more inexperienced if he isn’t. Nova has won games with offense in the CAA this season. Scoring 52, 33, 35, & 35 in their 4 CAA wins. 24, 35, & 20 in their losses. The Dirty Birds will need high 20s at a minimum to win this game. Dan Smith & friends are that good. ✌️

What is wrong with Wiley?

Rocco apparently has never had a losing season as a Head Coach so he has some xtra motivation for this one, something that seemed very lacking in 2017

maybe the Hens can catch your Preppies looking ahead to the playoffs and end this curse

[Gangtackle11]

What is wrong with Wiley?

Rocco apparently has never had a losing season as a Head Coach so he has some xtra motivation for this one, something that seemed very lacking in 2017

maybe the Hens can catch your Preppies looking ahead to the playoffs and end this curse

Nova fan site if u call it that says he’s in concussion protocol.

Several FCS pundits have Nova in already. I’m not so sure at 8-4, 4-4 in CAA, & weak OOC schedule. Would be great if they are so they could rest players like Wiley.

Dirty Fithy Birds are due here. I wouldn’t be surprised if they come away with a win. They will have to put up 30 points plus though. Nova will score at least 28 unless turnover bug bites.

Nolan or Pat on Saturday? xpeacex

[MR. CHICKEN]

.....HENDERSON HAS HIP INJURY.....PER NJ.......HOW SERIOUS...IS DUH ??.....xdontknowx...AWK!

[caribbeanhen]

.....HENDERSON HAS HIP INJURY.....PER NJ.......HOW SERIOUS...IS DUH ??.....xdontknowx...AWK!

Well GT, I think you have your answer... no way they risk further injury to Henderson.... he was walking around yesterday though.....

if Kehoe starts, the curse continues....

[Gangtackle11]

.....HENDERSON HAS HIP INJURY.....PER NJ.......HOW SERIOUS...IS DUH ??.....xdontknowx...AWK!

Hope the kid is ok, but I wouldn’t mind it if he took a pass this Saturday. I’ve watched enough to see his exceptional play making ability would give Nova defense fits if completely healthy. xpeacex

[Gangtackle11]

This is an interesting game.

CAA common opponents: Stony Brook, Towson, UNH, Richmond.

Nova has lost to Stony Brook & UNH. Delaware beat them both.

Delaware has lost to Richmond & Towson. Villanova beat them both. xpeacex

[MR. CHICKEN]

....WOOD MAKE OURAH....YEARS UH FUTILITY.....WORFF IT..........TA BREAK CAT'S BUBBLE..........BROCCO......SCURRYIN'....TA BREAK EVEN........NOLAN....WILL BE OUT DERE....IFIN' NUFFIN' CRACKED/BROKEN.....HE'LL BE MASSAGED.....LIKE......DELAWARE STATE TROOPERS INNA.....PROSTITUTION STING.....DIS WEEK........:D.....BRAWK!

[reeder]

Is this a must win for Villanova? If they lose, they’d be 8-4 overall and 4-4 in conference. The CAA hasn’t had a team with a 4-4 conference record make the playoffs since 2007 (we can all guess which team that was).

[MR. CHICKEN]

....UMMMM......MARTY......YOUSE LITTLE STINKER.....xeyebrowx...AWQ!

[cx500d]

There are three sure bets in life:
death, taxes, and Villanova beating Delaware.

[MR. CHICKEN]

..............AH'D SAY....DUH OTHERAH TWO.......MO' FUNNY........BRAWK!

......JEEZ........FUNERAL DIRECTORS........MO' HILARIOUS..........DOODLE-DOO!

[MR. CHICKEN]

....C'MON PECKERHEADS......AH DID MAH DOOTY........LET US STUFF DUH BOX......FERRANTE....IS DUH BO PELLINI/MICKEY MATHEWS/AN' LONG LINE UH RHODEY COACHS......UH CAA........BRAWK!

[ngineer]

Picking 'nova, 28-24. Wildcats should have plenty of motivation for having a very good record. I am assuming the coaching staff won't get in the players' way....While this is the Hen's 'bowl game', they have been too inconsistent over the year.

[bluehenbillk]

I'd love to pick Delaware here, but this isn't a game unfortunately where the heart tells you one thing & the brain tells you another. I can't even say a cockeyed optimist picks UD in this game. As it's been mentioned Henderson got hurt Saturday, I don't know if he'll play or not but he didn't play two different games already this year when getting hurt the week before so I doubt he'll be out there Saturday. Kehoe can't & won't lead the Hens to a victory. The offensive line, which isn't very good to begin with is banged up as well.

The schemes that Nova runs always seem to give Delaware fits. A bad game for Nova is what 21 or 24 points? That's a humming on all engines game for Delaware's offense this year. Brock never beat Nova, Rocco hasn't beaten them as a Hen HC. I don't see things changing Saturday & I see Nova (daddy) by double digits.

[Gangtackle11]

I'd love to pick Delaware here, but this isn't a game unfortunately where the heart tells you one thing & the brain tells you another. I can't even say a cockeyed optimist picks UD in this game. As it's been mentioned Henderson got hurt Saturday, I don't know if he'll play or not but he didn't play two different games already this year when getting hurt the week before so I doubt he'll be out there Saturday. Kehoe can't & won't lead the Hens to a victory. The offensive line, which isn't very good to begin with is banged up as well.

The schemes that Nova runs always seem to give Delaware fits. A bad game for Nova is what 21 or 24 points? That's a humming on all engines game for Delaware's offense this year. Brock never beat Nova, Rocco hasn't beaten them as a Hen HC. I don't see things changing Saturday & I see Nova (daddy) by double digits.

Henderson plays it’s less than 7 either way.

He doesn’t then Nova 7+ point win. xpeacex

[Gangtackle11]

Opening Line compliments of 5dimes:

Villanova - 9.5 (56.5 o/u)

[caribbeanhen]

Henderson plays it’s less than 7 either way.

He doesn’t then Nova 7+ point win. xpeacex

Rocco quote on Henderson "somewhere between doubtful and questionable"

No way he's playing, make your reservations to South Dakota GT....

[Gangtackle11]

Rocco quote on Henderson "somewhere between doubtful and questionable"

No way he's playing, make your reservations to South Dakota GT....

Im not buying it. The Hens will come in with nothing to lose. The combo of Knight & 33 (forgot his name) will give Nova all they can handle defensively. Mr. Smith must limit turnovers & carve up the Hens if Nova is to win. 35-28 Nova if Henderson doesn’t play, but I’m not betting the ranch on it. xpeacex

[caribbeanhen]

33 is DeJoun Lee, a little (short) bundle of energy, his last 2 games have been pretty good, but Will Knight is the one that can do big damage.. he is special and it's taken all season but it looks ilke Rocco has finally gotten the message, Hen fans have been critical that lee was getting the majority of the carries... but without Henderson, things have a tendency to get ugly quick.... you will see soon enough.... might want to get a Parka for badlands visit

[Gangtackle11]

Article confirming Kehoe start.

https://delawarestatenews.net/sport/hens-to-take-their-shot-at-ending-villanova-streak/

That said. I still expect this game to be a fight. Nova offense will need to limit turnovers & sustain drives to keep our mediocre defense off the field. Nova is vulnerable to the passing game, but I expect the Hens to come out pounding the rock with Knight & Lee.

I look at CAA games stats only (not total as teams play varying levels of OOC games)

Some quick, but telling stats in the 7 CAA games played to date:

Nova ranks 2nd in scoring at 33.4
Delaware defense ranks 5th in points allowed at 26.4

Delaware ranks 11th in scoring at 21.4
Villanova ranks 10th in points allowed at 31.4

Delaware ranks last in sacks with 5
Villanova ranks 1st in sacks allowed with 8

Delaware ranks 9th in sacks allowed with 19
Villanova ranks 7th in sacks with 17

Delaware ranks 4th in rushing averaging 176.1 ypg
Villanova ranks 3rd in rushing defense giving up 140.1 ypg

Nova QB Dan Smith has accounted for 20 TDs this season in 7 CAA games (36 overall). xpeacex

[Gangtackle11]

Rocco quote on Henderson "somewhere between doubtful and questionable"

No way he's playing, make your reservations to South Dakota GT....

Villanova played at South Dakota State in ‘16 playoffs. We had a great defense lead by now NFL players Tanoh Kpassanon & LB Austin Calitro. Lost 10-7 on a last minute FG by a Viniteri nephew. Hit the upright & went through. SDSU had Dallas Goedaert who proved to be a monster that day.

The Nova faithfuls had a fun time staying in Sioux Falls & visiting Brookings fan favorite watering hole Cubby’s. A win that day would have sent us to Fargo & sub minus tailgate temps.

No illusions of a Natty this season. Experiencing Fargo might be fun until kickoff, but 1st the sites are on Delaware & Delaware only. After all it’s the Battle of Blue game & a must game for Nova playoff chances IMHO. xpeacex

[MR. CHICKEN]

......SOON AS KEHOE.....REACHES.....DUH TWO INTERCEPTION THRESHOLD.........HIS WRIST...WILL BE CHAINED TA UNIFORM BELT.........DEN IT'S UP TA OURAH HORSES..........BRAWK!

[bluehenbillk]

Delaware's offense, especially with Kehoe starting, isn't capable of scoring the requisite points to be competitive on Saturday. The defense is soft & does little to create turnovers so don't look for scoring opportunities there either - even though they had their moment of glory with a pick-6 versus Stony Brook last week.

I'm just worried the gap is widening - Nova has a couple of "big for FCS" recruits coming in - including a QB that is on the verge of 10K career passing yards & 3K career rushing yards.

[caribbeanhen]

It was something of a strange injury for Henderson, who was running with the ball when he fell on the out-stretched foot of one of his offensive lineman.".....

thats what is says in the news story, but what I saw was Henderson stumble and start to fall and about the time he hit the ground is when he made contact with his teammates foot..... didn't look like he tripped over a teammates foot

[Gangtackle11]

Villanova @ Delaware - 11/14/2020

Delaware State @ Delaware- 11/21/20

Interesting.

[bluehenbillk]

Delaware has 5 and 6 written all over them for 2020.

[GoBlueHens83]

Delaware has 5 and 6 written all over them for 2020.

At least we have a good shot to win the last game of the season next year.

[Henny]

This game might have been somewhat competitive with Nolan playing but with Pat, I'm afraid the sacks, 3 and outs and interceptions will mount and the defense will be on the field all day.

31-14 Nova

[Gangtackle11]

I think Delaware gets their run game going a bit. Big Pat is better than most Dirty Bird fans think, but in the end it’s too much Dan Smith. Nova 35-28.

[Anthony215]

Why isn't Delaware considering giving R-Freshman Anthony Paoletti the start since you pretty much know what Pat Kahoe is going to give you and what he can't do. Makes more sense to me to get valuable reps out of your potential 2020 QB#2.

[Gangtackle11]

Why isn't Delaware considering giving R-Freshman Anthony Paoletti the start since you pretty much know what Pat Kahoe is going to give you and what he can't do. Makes more sense to me to get valuable reps out of your potential 2020 QB#2.

That’s the question most Dirty Filthy Bird fans have on their mind. xpeacex

[Gangtackle11]

Nova Game Notes:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/villanova.com/documents/2019/11/21/G12_Delaware.pdf

[caribbeanhen]

Why isn't Delaware considering giving R-Freshman Anthony Paoletti the start since you pretty much know what Pat Kahoe is going to give you and what he can't do. Makes more sense to me to get valuable reps out of your potential 2020 QB#2.

because 6-6 is what Rocco want's more, never had a losing season as a head coach

[caribbeanhen]

I think Delaware gets their run game going a bit. Big Pat is better than most Dirty Bird fans think, but in the end it’s too much Dan Smith. Nova 35-28.

not sure about Big Pat, but I think Hen fans are generally giving Nova way to much credit... of course a curse will do that, but I'm not seeing anything special with Nova

anything can happen, I mean How could Nova lose to Stony Brook?

[GoBlueHens83]

Rocco and the rest of the coaching staff need to be sacked as soon as the clock hits 0, completely unprepared against your biggest rival. They can find their own rides home.

What a disaster.

[cx500d]

Like I said, death, taxes, and villanova beating Delaware....the only sure things in life

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

UD needs to figure out what it wants out if it's football program. If it's middling irrelevancy then join the PL!

[Gangtackle11]

I’m starting to feel sorry for the dirty filthy birds. See ya next year! xpeacex