Preview - UD Football vs. William & Mary

This was suppose to be the first real test for the Blue Hens.  The Tribe, picked to finish at the top of the conference, are coming in to Newark to face a Delaware team still searching for answers.  It appears that there will be no quarterback controversy and Donnelly will get another chance under center, though another turnover-heavy afternoon could change that.  This will be a short preview, but don't be fooled because this is a HUGE game for both sides.  Here's a quick rundown for both teams:


For the Blue Hens:

• Starting Quarterback? - ...is going to be Tim Donnelly.  When the Hens played Navy, the depth chart listed an "or" between Sasek and Donnelly's names, but this week, it is not there and Donnelly is listed with the first team.  After four interceptions last week at Maine, there were a lot of questions as to when Sasek would return and if he would start vs. the Tribe.  Sasek was the 3rd QB on the depth chart up in Orono, and as the emergency QB, was not used by the Hens in that game.  Now Sasek is back in the top-two, but Donnelly will remain as the starter.  I have a feeling that Sasek will see the field at some point today, but not necessarily because Donnelly struggles.
• Limiting the Big Play - There is not much that needs to be explained with this one.  After Maine gained chunks of yards at will against the Hens last week, Delaware needs to prevent the big play from happening against William & Mary on Saturday.
• RUN THE BALL - The Hens running game finally got going last week up at Maine, but long downs forced the Hens into passing situations where they clearly struggled.  A big key for Delaware today is to get the running game going early and often, especially against a William & Mary team that gave Andrew Pierce problems last year.

For the Tribe:

• Missing in Action - Michael Paulus will start for the Tribe instead of Michael Graham (illness) vs. the Hens.  Paulus was projected to be the starter at the beginning of the year, but he missed much of the spring and just was not ready to start once the season began.  Now he is forced back in as the starter with Graham sick.  Paulus was the starter last year in the Delaware game. OLB Dante Cook and DE Bryan Stinnie are also out this weekend.
• Run Offense - The best offensive player for the Tribe has been senior Jonathan Grimes.  With Graham out, Grimes should see even more of the work load.  He is averaging just over 88 yards per game on the ground, and if the William & Mary offensive line can create the lanes, Grimes should have a big day in both yards and attempts.

Delaware vs. William & Mary Facts:

• This is the 36th meeting between the two since 1915.  The Hens lead the series 21-14, but the Tribe have won the last three (including last season's 1-point win)
• 19 of the 35 games have been decided by a touchdown or less, with 13 decided by four points or less.
• Delaware had a 5-game series win streak back in the 70's-80's but since that, neither team has won more than three straight times against the other.
• Coach Keeler is 16-4 at home following a road loss.

My Over/Under for UD vs. W&M

• Total Points: 39.5 points
• William & Mary Passing Yards: 144.5 yards
• Delaware Rushing Yards: 159.5 yards

Bold Prediction:  Delaware wins the turnover differential.
(After four interceptions thrown last week, the Hens
will play much more conservative and the defense
will need to step up and make a play or two.)

Projected Score: Delaware 21, William & Mary 19
(Close, low-scoring, conservative game from both
teams.  The Tribe's missing players will hurt on defense
and Paulus won't be given the full playbook, so I'll
give the Hens the win, but BARELY.)

The game is available on BlueHens.com and

the Blue Hens radio broadcast is on WDSD.

(Just click on "Listen Live" in the top left corner)

Keywords: University of Delaware Blue Hens, UD, The College of William & Mary Tribe, W&M, Football, Colonial Athletic Association, CAA, NCAA