A crowd of approximately 150 looked on as the Fightin' Blue Hens spent nearly three hours on the field and took part in more than 130 plays on a sunny afternoon. Delaware, which began pre-season camp Aug. 5, will take part in its second scrimmage at 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17 at the stadium.
“We have a long way to go,” admitted Delaware Head Coach K.C. Keeler following the scrimmage. “I thought our defense was humbled a little today because the offense did have some success in the red zone and in our two-minute drill. Our staff will have a busy night watching the video. We still made too many mental mistakes and I think we needed a little more intensity. We are in the grind of training camp now so we'll see how tough we are.”
The Blue Hens worked on short-yardage plays, goal-line offense and defense, red zone offense and the two-minute drill while also taking part in kickoff, punt team and field goal drills.
Junior transfer Rob Schoenhoft (Ohio State), sophomore transfer Sean Hakes (Akron) and redshirt freshman Lou Ritacco continued to battle for the starting quarterback spot to replace All-American Joe Flacco, a first round National Football League draft pick now with the Baltimore Ravens. The three shared action on Tuesday with each showing positive signs.
“It is still too tough to tell,” said Keeler of the quarterback battle. “We need to watch the film. I'll defer comment until later.”
Among the offensive highlights were Ritacco hitting Kervin Michaud on an 80-yard catch and run for a touchdown and impressive running from backs Phillip Thaxton and Jonathon Smith. Smith scored on four short touchdown runs while Thaxton had several long runs, including a 15-yard scoring jaunt. That touchdown was set up following completions from Hakes to Tommy Crosby and Mark Mackey. Schoenhoft also scored on a nine-yard scoring run late in the scrimmage.
Among the top defensive highlights were two stops by the goal-line defense early in the scrimmage and an interception by safety Sean Scanlon off a Hakes pass.
On special teams, All-American kicker Jon Striefsky connected on four field goals while backup Mike Perry converted two 32-yard field goals. Senior Stuart Kenworthy and sophomore transfer Ed Wagner (Michigan State) shared the punting duties.
Among the players who did not participate due to injuries were defensive linemen Matt Marcorelle and Demitrius Hester, running back Jerry Butler, tight end Robbie Agnone, and wide receiver A.J. Bunton. Running back Junior Jabbie scored a touchdown in the first series of the scrimmage but injured a leg a few plays later and sat the rest of the day.
The Blue Hens are nearing the season opener against the University of Maryland of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The teams will meet at 3:45 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, at Maryland's Byrd Stadium.
UD's home opener will be at 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13, against West Chester University.
For more information on UD athletics, see [www.udel.edu/sportsinfo].
Photo by Mark Campbell
