Delaware Blue Hens’ 2025 football schedule for FBS, CUSA debut
Blue Hens make their debut in FBS, Conference USA with 12-game slate
There’s nothing like the roar coming from inside Delaware Stadium in August.
Just like every year, thousands will pour into Delaware Stadium for the season opener, when the Blue Hens take on the Delaware State Hornets Aug. 28.
Delaware will play in college football’s highest competitive level in the Football Bowl Subdivision for the first time this year, gaining national recognition. That earned them a spot in the new video game “College Football 26,” allowing fans to play as the team.
Will they be able to hold up against better opponents? Or will they struggle to adjust?
We used College Football 26’s “Franchise Mode” to simulate the Blue Hens’ season, predicting every game.
How good is Delaware overall in the game?
Delaware has a 67 overall rating in College Football 26. This puts them in a tie for 124th in the game out of 135 teams. Their offense is a 69 overall, tied for 118th, while their defense is a 66 overall, tied for 129th.
Who are Delaware’s best players in the game?
The Blue Hens may not be ranked highly as a whole in the game, but a couple of players stood out individually.
Junior free safety KT Seay is rated an 81 overall in the game. For context, above an 80 overall is generally considered to be a good player. Seay finished with 4 interceptions last year, a ball hawk in the back of Delaware’s defense.
Junior running back Jo’Nathan Silver is also rated an 81 overall. Silver finished with 442 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns last year, and is expected to take on a much bigger role as the feature back this year.
Left tackle Anwar O’Neal, safety Hasson Manning Jr, and wide receiver Jake Thaw rounded out the top five players for Delaware. All three finished with overalls just below an 80, respectively.
A slow and surprising start
September has been kind to the Blue Hens in recent years.
The team has finished 10-1 over the past three years in the month, with the lone loss coming at 7th-ranked Penn State.
However, College Football 26 expects this fall to look a little different, as Delaware takes on new foes as it joins Conference USA.
Week 1: vs Delaware State
The matchup
Unfortunately, College Football does not have the Hornets uploaded into the game. Delaware State still plays in the Football Championship Subdivision, which Delaware just left for the FBS.
However, the game does have a generic equivalent, entitled “FCS East Team”, which the Blue Hens took on Week 1 at Delaware Stadium.
Delaware is heavily favored against the Hornets, having never lost to them. However, College Football 26 had other plans.
College Football 26’s prediction
The “FCS East” team beat Delaware at home 19-7, as the Blue Hens sputtered offensively at home.
Quarterback Zach Marker had just 74 yards and a pick, as the pass game floundered against new coach Desean Jackson’s defense.
The defense played strong, holding the Hornets to just 118 yards through the air, but it wasn’t enough to continue the team’s dominance in the Route One rivalry.
The record: 0-1
Week 2: at #25 Colorado
The matchup
The most anticipated game of the season comes in Week 2 as the Blue Hens head to Boulder, Colorado, to take on Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes.
Colorado lost both of its stars this past year, as quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter took their talents to the NFL.
However, they are expected to be a formidable opponent, with Sanders still at the helm and some quality additions through the transfer portal. The Blue Hens will likely be heavy underdogs.
College Football 26’s prediction
Just a week after the Blue Hens were upset in shocking fashion, College Football 26 has the team turning the tables. The Blue Hens stomped into Boulder and won a tight game, 24-21 in our simulation.
The Delaware defense dominated the turnover battle, collecting two interceptions against Colorado quarterback Kaiden Salter.
Silver rushed for 114 yards on the Buffaloes, allowing the team to control the pace of the game.
The Blue Hens will fly home with a statement win, one that would be historic for the program.
The record: 1-1
Week 3: vs UConn
The matchup
The Blue Hens face an old foe in their last game before conference play begins, as the UConn Huskies will travel to Newark.
The two teams have a rich history, with plenty of battles during their time in the Yankee Conference and Atlantic 10. However, they haven’t faced off since 1998, when the Huskies moved up to the FBS level.
Delaware will likely be a slight underdog in this one, a matchup that could be one of the best games of the season.
College Football 26’s prediction
College Football 26 has Delaware struggling against the Huskies, however, in a 38-21 loss. The Blue Hens couldn’t stop the dominant rushing attack of Camryn Edwards, leading to a tough day on defense.
The record: 1-2
Week 4: at Florida International
The matchup
The Blue Hens begin conference play in week 4 as they head to Miami to take on Florida International. The Panthers finished just 4-8 last year. They went 2-5 in conference play.
Delaware will probably be slightly favored in this game, despite it being the first year in the conference. The Blue Hens are projected by ESPN’s SP+ statistic to finish sixth in the conference, while FIU is projected to place 11th.
College Football 26’s prediction:
College Football 26 has Delaware losing a shootout 35-29. The run game once again thrived against FIU’s defense, as Silver finished with another 100-yard game. The pass defense struggled though, leaving the Blue Hens with their worst September record since 2015.
The record: 1-3
Conference play: A serious roller coaster
As October begins, 1-3 is far from an optimal start. However, great play against conference opponents would still set the team up for success.
Week 5: vs. Western Kentucky
The matchup
One of the conference’s most esteemed programs travels to Delaware week 5, as the Blue Hens take on Western Kentucky.
Western Kentucky finished 8-5 last year, earning a berth in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Hilltoppers return just 36% of their starters however, in what could be a rebuilding year.
The Blue Hens will likely be underdogs at home in this one, for the second time this season.
College Football 26’s prediction
College Football 26 projects a big day for the UD offense against the Hilltoppers, leading to a 35-19 victory.
Marker threw for 194 yards with a 60% completion percentage, while Silver rushed for 194 yards. Linebacker Dillon Trainer also stepped up in a big way, coming up with an interception and a sack.
The Blue Hens pick up a key victory, improving to 1-1 in conference play.
The Record: 2-3
Week 6: at Jacksonville State
The matchup
Week 6 marks the Blue Hens’ first matchup with the conference champs, as they travel to Alabama to take on the Gamecocks.
Jacksonville State finished 9-4 last season, beating Western Kentucky in the CUSA championship game 52-12. They return just 28% of their starters this year, but are still expected to be a serious contender for the conference title.
Delaware will likely be a big underdog here, on the road against a tough opponent.
College Football 26’s prediction
College Football 26 has the Blue Hens putting up a good fight, but eventually losing 31-21.
Delaware’s pass rush struggled against the Jacksonville State offensive line, as they finished without a single pressure or sack in the game. However, cornerback K’Shawn Cox was able to score his first interception of his career, keeping the Blue Hens in the game.
Record: 2-4
Week 7: vs. Middle Tennessee
The matchup
Week 7 marks the Blue Hens’ first matchup with Middle Tennessee since 1978. Middle Tennessee struggled a year ago, with just a 3-9 record. They Blue Raiders are expected to improve, however, returning 60% of their starters.
Delaware will likely be favored in this game, at home against a team that struggled a year ago in conference play.
College Football 26’s prediction
College Football 26 predicts the Blue Hens to get back in the winning column here 24-16.
The pass game got back on track here, with a big day from Zach Marker. He finished with 245 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Linebacker Gavin Moul turned in a special game as well, with an interception, a forced fumble, and a sack.
Record: 3-4
The home stretch
This year’s schedule for the Blue Hens includes an interesting quirk: UD will play just three games in September and three in October, but five in November.
It should make for an interesting month for Delaware, as they play five straight weeks without a bye to close the season.
Will they withstand the pressures of November football? Or will fatigue reach them in the season’s closing moments?
Week 8: at Liberty
The matchup
UD will face perhaps its biggest in-conference test of the year in Week 9, taking on conference championship favorite Liberty.
The Flames had a “down year” last year at 8-3, missing out on the conference’s championship game. However, strong investment through the transfer portal this offseason will make them a tough team to beat in 2025.
Delaware will likely be a significant underdog on the road here.
College Football 26’s prediction
College Football 26 doesn’t expect much of the Blue Hens in this one, as the Flames beat Delaware 51-10.
Both sides of the ball struggled mightily. The Delaware offense turned the ball over three times and the defense let up 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing.
After the demoralizing loss, the Blue Hens drop below .500 in conference play, likely ending their conference championship hopes.
The record: 3-5
Week 9: vs. Louisiana Tech
The matchup
Early in November, Delaware will face an opponent with potentially a lot to lose.
Louisiana Tech has struggled mightily under coach Sonnie Crumbie, and will be hungry for a win to keep their coach off the hot seat.
The Bulldogs finished just 5-7 in 2024, although they secured an appearance in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.
Delaware will likely be a slight favorite in this one, but it could be a toss-up.
College Football 26’s prediction
College Football 26 has the Blue Hens taking a statement win here, beating the Bulldogs 34-20.
Jo’nathan Silver had another strong game on the ground, with 121 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive tackle Jack Hall finished with the game’s only sack, the second of his career.
The Record: 4-5
Week 10: vs. Sam Houston State
The matchup
Week 11 will be a special game for head coach Ryan Carty., who’ll face his former team, after spending four years as the Bearkats’ offensive coordinator.
Sam Houston State just missed out on the conference championship game last year, finishing 9-3. They won the R+L Carriers Bowl, beating Georgia Southern.
College Football 26’s prediction
College Football 26 has the Blue Hens scoring their biggest conference victory of the season, beating the Bearkats 33-28.
The team had a huge day offensively, both through the air and on the ground. Marker had his best game of the season with 301 yards and 2 TDs, and Silver had 90 yards rushing.
Trainer showed up big rushing the passer in this one as well. The linebacker had a sack and a half. Defensive tackle Keyshawn Hunter also finished with a sack, his first of the year on the interior.
The record: 5-5
Week 11: at Wake Forest
The matchup
Delaware’s last nonconference game of the season will be a massive test as the Blue Hens take on their first ACC opponent since 2018.
The Demon Deacons had a down year in 2024, finishing just 4-8. However, a program of their size and prestige will be a challenge for the Blue Hens, no matter their record.
Delaware will likely be heavy underdogs in this game.
College Football 26’s Prediction
College Football 26 predicts UD playing a solid game, but eventually falling to the Demon Deacons 27-17.
The defense struggled against Wake Forest’s rushing attack, while a pick-six thrown by Marker late in the game sealed the Blue Hens’ fate.
The record: 5-6
Week 12: vs. UTEP
The matchup
The Blue Hens will close out the season with a matchup against the UTEP Miners, a very winnable conference game.
UTEP has struggled in recent years, finishing 3-9 in back-to-back seasons. But with lots of returning starters and a whopping 30 transfers, the Miners could be in for a turnaround in 2025.
Delaware will likely be slight favorite in this one.
College Football 26’s Prediction
College Football 26 predicts the Blue Hens to finish the season with a tough loss at home, falling 21-19 to the Miners.
An injury to Jo’nathan Silver weakened the Blue Hens’ run game here, forcing Delaware to rely on its pass game and defense.
It wasn’t enough, as the Miners attacked the Blue Hens through the air, leaving Delaware to finish the season disappointingly.
The final record: 5-7
How does Delaware’s record stack up with other projections?
ESPN has the Blue Hens projected to win 5.4 games through their SP+ model, putting them around the same record as College Football 26.
Betting sportsbook Draftkings has Delaware’s over/under for wins set at 4.5, right in line with College Football 26’s projections as well.
Season statistics
Marker finished with 2,530 passing yards on the year, with 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Silver led the team in rushing, with 194 carries for 880 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Wide receiver Max Patterson led the team in receiving, with 57 catches for 754 yards and 3 touchdowns. Nicholas Laboy was second and Jake Thaw third, with 477 and 473 yards receiving, respectively.
Trainer tied with Hall to lead the team in sacks, both finishing with 4.5 on the year. Hunter had 3.5.
Safety Kingsley Royal finished as the season leader in tackles with 62. Linebacker Blake Matthews finished right behind Royal, with 60.
Four Blue Hens tied for the team lead in interceptions with one. Those players were freshman cornerback Kahul Ali, Seay, Moul and Cox.
Adam Denn is an intern for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach him for story ideas at ADenn@gannett.com
