The University of Delaware’s football team is making the most of its shortened spring season, earning a postseason berth over the weekend.
With the Hens’ 27-20 victory over archrival Villanova Saturday, UD completed the season at 5-0, including 3-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
And that record earned them a home NCAA FCS playoff game this Saturday night against Northeast Conference champion Sacred Heart University.
This is the second time in three seasons the Blue Hens are in the playoffs..
UD defensive back Nijuel Hill says the difference between this season and 2018 is experience and playing together as a unit.
"In 2018, we already knew the kind of talent that we had, and we really relied on our talent to try to win us a lot of games," said Hill. "As you know it was a lot of NFL prospects in that class, so we really relied on our talent to get us through a lot, and now we're relying on our techniques and we're playing for each other. We always talk about this as much as possible that we're not a team, we're a family."
Delaware is looking for its seventh national championship in football, and Blue Hens wide receiver Thyrick Pitts says this year’s team is capable of accomplishing that feat.
"If you go in thinking that there are some good teams in here, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, you know Sam Houston. We have just as good a chance as anybody else, and I'll take my team over any team any day of the week you know that's really how we all feel," said Pitts.
This Saturday night’s game will also be the first time the Blue Hens have had a home game in six weeks.
UD is one of two CAA teams to qualify for the playoffs joining James Madison.
