Defense rules in Delaware Blue-White football spring game

For a group undergoing almost a complete overhaul, the University of Delaware’s defense appeared well advanced in its growth on Saturday.

It was only the Blue-White intrasquad game that annually closes spring drills. And the UD offense, while returning more personnel, is transitioning to new schemes and was throwing the football with a stiff wind.

But the defense, dressed in white, was up to the task while scoring a 52-41 win in a game that awards points for various accomplishments.

“The score really should be even skewed more in the favor of our defense,” said Danny Rocco, heading into his third season as Delaware coach.

“I thought the defense really played well. Our offense really did not show a whole lot out here today. So that’s a little disappointing. I think through most of the practices, it hasn’t really been that way here this spring.’’

Only one touchdown was scored, on Pat Kehoe’s 60-yard pass to Thyrick Pitts during 7-on-7.

There were three interceptions in the game, by cornerbacks Nijuel Hill and Amonte Strothers in 7-on-7 and safety Kedrick Whitehead, the Middletown High grad, during full 11-on-11.

“Obviously, today we didn’t perform the way that we wanted to,” said Kehoe, the returning starter. “We’ve done a lot of good things this spring that we wanted to showcase out here today and unfortunately we weren’t able to. A lot of self-inflicted wounds.

“But I’m still happy with the progress that we made, and I’m excited with where we’re going into the summer. We talked about today was the first time in 15 practices we didn’t score in the team period.”

Delaware has a new offensive coordinator in Jared Ambrose, who left Colonial Athletic Association rival Towson and has installed what Rocco termed a “more diverse’’ attack that includes some no-huddle.

Four Delaware quarterbacks did throw 64 passes Saturday.

Kehoe was 12-for-20 for 140 yards with the TD and one interception. Backup Nolan Henderson, the Smyrna High grad, was 10-for-22 for 93 yards and two interceptions and also ran for 17 yards.

“I really feel the position remains in competition,” Rocco said.

Pitts’ three catches covered 72 yards. Gene Coleman II had five catches for 41 yards.

“I don’t think it was indicative of what we’ve done during spring practice,” Rocco said of the offense.

Andre Robinson’s five carries for 23 yards led rushers. Last summer’s transfer from Penn State was named the spring’s Most Improved player on offense.

Freshman Drew Nickles was named Most Improved on defense. The versatile Nickles, who has been moved from outside to inside linebacker, had a game-high six tackles.

Delaware also named four captains – Kehoe, a captain last season, along with offensive lineman Mario Farinella; defensive lineman Cam Kitchen, who has missed spring practice because of injury; and Hill, who lost his starting spot midway through last year.

“We just want to come out and prove a point this year,” Hill said of the defense’s effort Saturday.

The Blue Hens are rebuilding after having more than 25 seniors on last year’s team that went 7-5 and ended Delaware’s record seven-year NCAA postseason drought by making the FCS playoffs. Delaware lost a first-round game at CAA rival James Madison.

The makeover is especially impactful on defense, which must replace eight starters, including seven in the linebacker and secondary corps. With its experience up front, Delaware will likely play more 4-3 and less 3-4 alignments this season than the past two years, as it showed Saturday.

“I think this is gonna be a great defense because the path is set for us already,” Hill said, referring to players such as safety Nasir Adderley, likely to be a high NFL draft pick this week, and linebacker Troy Reeder, also expected to get an NFL shot.

The Blue Hens will return to the practice field Aug. 1 to begin earnest preparation for a 2019 season that commences Aug. 29 at home against Delaware State. The Colonial Athletic Association opener follows a week later at Rhode Island, which began its 2018 resurgence with a season-opening victory at Delaware.

FCS programs are allowed to play 12 games this season because of the extra Saturday between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Delaware will have a pair of severe nonconference challenges at home Sept. 14 against North Dakota State, winner of seven of the last eight FCS titles, followed two weeks later by a visit to FBS Pitt. CAA play resumes full tilt Oct. 12 at Elon.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do as a unit and as a team,” Robinson said.

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