Delaware State’s 2013 football season kicks-off tomorrow. The Hornets take the short trip up to Newark to battle the University of Delaware in the latest installment Route 1 Rivalry.
The Blue Hens got their 2013 campaign underway last week with a 51-35 victory over Jacksonville in new head coach Dave Brock’s debut.
DSU head coach Kermit Blount says that win may give UD a leg up in tomorrow’s 3:30 pm start at Delaware Stadium.
“Delaware has a game up on us so they should be in game shape. We’ve got to get to game shape and the only way we can get to game shape is actually playing the game,” said Blount. “That may be one of the disadvantages but at the same time we had an opportunity to rest our guys last week and try to simulate a game experience last Saturday so I’m hoping that it pays off for us.”
And Blount adds from what he saw last week, his team will need to be in shape against the Hens.
“[They're] a very physical football team. Coach Brock’s going to have them very physical. He’s a former O-line coach so you know they’re going to run the football straight at us on defense with a little play action, some boot passes," said Blount. "The quarterback [Trent Hurley] is really, really good and they’ve got a couple of running backs that are second to done.”
This is the fifth edition of Route 1 rivalry game between the cross-state rivals. UD won all four previous contests, including a 38-14 victory a year ago.