|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Blue Hen football team spring drills have begun
UD Head Coach K.C. Keeler, who led the injury-plagued Hens to their third straight winning season last fall with a 6-5 mark, led the team in its first spring workout Saturday morning. The Hens are scheduled to practice each Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon followed by a Saturday morning practice or scrimmage for the next two weeks. Following time off for spring break the last week in March, the team will return with the same schedule the weeks of April 3 and April 10. Practice times are subject to change without notice but will generally be held from 4-6 p.m. on weekdays and 10-12 on Saturday mornings. Practices are free and open to the public. Drills will conclude with the annual Blue-White game on April 15. Due to turf construction at Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium, this year's game will be held at an off-campus site. Details regarding the game site and time and ticket information will be announced later this week. Keeler welcomes back 37 letter winners from last year's squad, including All-American and 1,000-yard rusher Omar Cuff and All-Atlantic 10 Conference performers Aaron Love, a punt returner and wide receiver, and Rashaad Woodard, a kickoff returner and cornerback. Cuff, who led the team in both rushing (1,205 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns) and receiving (41 receptions for 414 yards and four touchdowns) will be a top candidate for the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in NCAA Division I-AA this coming season. Among the areas to watch this spring will be the battle to replace two-year starting quarterback Sonny Riccio, finding two starters to join KeiAndre Hepburn at linebacker, developing young and deep units at both wide receiver and in the defensive secondary, and adding depth on both the offensive and defensive lines. The Hens must replace All-American defensive tackle Tom Parks, leading tackler and All-Atlantic 10 linebacker John Mulhern, and All-Atlantic 10 offensive lineman Brian Sims. Senior Ryan Carty, sophomore Jarryd Moyer and sophomore University of Pittsburgh transfer Joe Flacco will battle to take over the starting quarterback position. Seven players with starting experience return on the offensive line, and four of the team's top receivers are back. Defensively, sophomores Brian Brown, Erik Johnson and University of Pennsylvania transfer J.T. Laws will look to earn starting spots at linebacker while senior Bubba Jespersen and sophomore Matt Marcorelle anchor the defensive front. No less than nine players with starting experience return in the secondary, led by seniors Woodard and Kyle Campbell. Among the players not expected to practice this spring due to injuries are junior offensive lineman Joel Holler (shoulder), sophomore tight end David Beachy (shoulder), senior offensive lineman Scott Conley (knee), and sophomore wide receiver Kervin Michaud (pectoral muscle). |
|
|
