Delaware State Hornets at Delaware Blue Hens
· NCAA - Football
Minicucci has 4 TDs, Delaware spoils DeSean Jackson's debut at Delaware State 35-17
The Blue Hens, now a Conference USA member, wrapped it up when Jake Thaw for a 50-yard walk-in in front of Jackson, who set the NFL record with the most 60-yard receptions, with 6:15 to play.
Minicucci was 28 of 36 for 251 yards in a steady rain and ran for 44 yards to lead the Blue Hens.
Delaware coach Ryan Carty has never lost a home opener as a coach, dating back to 2007 and is 22-1 including his playing days with the Blue Hens.
Kahlil Ali had a 45-yard interception return to make it 28-10 early in the fourth quarter. The Hornets responded quickly with Marquis Gillis hauling in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Kaiden Bennett but two minutes later Minicucci and Thaw wrapped it up.
Thaw finished with seven catches for 91 yards and Kyre Duplessis had eight for 89 with a touchdown.
Bennett, a transfer from Sacramento State, opened the second half with a long drive and scored on a 23-yard run but again Minicucci answered with a 9-yard pass to Ja'Carree Kelly.
Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis is the running backs coach for the Hornets, who got 130 yards on 17 carries from Gillis.
How To Watch
How can I watch Delaware State Hornets vs. Delaware Blue Hens?
- TV Channel: Hornets at Blue Hens 2021 College Football, week 1, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
FG | 2nd Period 6:46 | Patrick Fisher-Butler 40 Yd Field Goal |
 |
TD | 2nd Period 3:44 | Nick Minicucci 8 Yd Run (Nate Reed Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 0:33 | Kyre Duplessis 4 Yd pass from Nick Minicucci (Nate Reed Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 10:29 | Kaiden Bennett 23 Yd Run (Patrick Fisher-Butler Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 7:15 | Ja'Carree Kelly 9 Yd pass from Nick Minicucci (Nate Reed Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 10:44 | Kahlil Ali 45 Yd Interception Return (Nate Reed Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 8:10 | Marquis Gillis 39 Yd pass from Kaiden Bennett (Patrick Fisher-Butler Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 6:15 | Jake Thaw 50 Yd pass from Nick Minicucci (Nate Reed Kick) |
Statistics
 DSU |
 DEL |
|
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1st Downs | 26 |
| 6-14 | 3rd down efficiency | 8-13 |
| 2-2 | 4th down efficiency | 2-2 |
| 349 | Total Yards | 428 |
| 149 | Passing | 291 |
| 13/26 | Comp/Att | 31/44 |
| 5.7 | Yards per pass | 6.6 |
| 200 | Rushing | 137 |
| 41 | Rushing Attempts | 26 |
| 4.9 | Yards per rush | 5.3 |
| 13-109 | Penalties | 6-55 |
| 2 | Turnovers | 1 |
| 0 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
| 2 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
| 31:53 | Possession | 28:07 |
Game Information
Location: Newark, DE
Attendance: 17,895 · Capacity:
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