After a stirring run at the end of last season to secure a winning record at 6-5, the University of Delaware football team recently wrapped up its annual spring practice in preparation for the 2006 campaign.

The Fightin’ Blue Hens have a number of key positions to fill, with the graduation of quarterback Sonny Riccio, All-American defensive lineman Tom Parks, All-Atlantic 10 Conference offensive lineman Brian Sims and linebacker John Mulhern.

However, they also have a number of key players back, including stellar running back Omar Cuff, who is an early candidate for the 2006 Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in NCAA Division I-AA. Cuff finished last season with 1,205 yards rushing and 41 receptions for another 414 yards.

Vying to fill Riccio’s place at quarterback are transfer Joe Flacco, who comes to UD from the University of Pittsburgh, senior Ryan Carty and sophomore Jarryd Moyer. They will work behind an offensive line that returns seven players with starting experience, and will throw to a young but experienced group of wide receivers.

On defense, Head Coach K.C. Keeler will be looking to add depth along the defensive line, which will be anchored by sophomore Matt Marcorelle, who had an outstanding freshman season, and senior Bubba Jespersen. Also needed are a pair of starters to join KeiAndre Hepburn at linebacker, with sophomores Brian Brown and Erik Johnson and University of Pennsylvania transfer J.T. Laws in the mix.

The UD defensive secondary returns nine players with starting experience, led by seniors Rashaad Woodard and Kyle Campbell.

Bolstering the team will be one of the strongest recruiting classes in NCAA Division I-AA, which includes a transfer in tight end Robbie Agnone, who played with Flacco at Pitt. Freshmen who will join the team for August drills include quarterback Sean Scanlon of Camden Catholic High School, running back Jared Bradley of Strath Haven High School and wide receivers Tommy Crosby of Hammonton High School and Mark Mackey of Central Dauphin High School.

With UD replacing the grass at Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium, the annual Blue-White game to end spring practice was held this year on Saturday, April 15, at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes.

The field will be ready for fall play, and the Hens will open the 2006 season with home games against West Chester University on Sept. 9 and the University of Albany on Sept. 16. They will travel to the University of Rhode Island on Sept. 23, will play at home against the high-powered University of New Hampshire on Sept. 30 and will play at Northeastern University on Oct. 7.

Homecoming will be held Oct. 14 against Hofstra University, now led by former UD defensive coordinator Dave Cohen. The Hens will travel to the University of Richmond on Oct. 21, face Towson University at home on Oct. 28 and travel to James Madison University on Nov. 4.

UD will play the College of William & Mary at home on Nov. 11 and will close the regular season against archrival Villanova University at home on Nov. 18.