File Photo: 11/19/11 Chester PA: Delaware Offensive Tackle Gino Gradkowski #56 carries the Battle of the blue trophy off the field Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at PPL Park in Chester PA.
With the win over Villanova and other results around the nation, The #15 Rank Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens will have to wait until Sunday for a NCAA FCS playoff invite when the 20-team field will be announced Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 at 10 a.m. on ESPNU.
Special to The News Journal/SAQUAN STIMPSON
With the win over Villanova and other results around the nation, The #15 Rank Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens waited until Sunday for a NCAA FCS playoff invite when the 20-team field was announced Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 at 10 a.m. on ESPNU, however The #15 Rank Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens (7-4) was not part of the 20-team field chosen for the FCS playoffs. Two other 7-4 teams, Colonial Athletic Association rival James Madison and shocking choice Eastern Kentucky of the Ohio Valley Conference, were among the 10 at-large teams.
Delaware coach K.C. Keeler said yesterday
“I just think it was too an easy an out for them to say we only had six wins, They put no stock in the fact that we beat Towson and ODU.”
Delaware senior defensive end Michael Atunrase said:
“It would have been nice to have another game to show what we could do”
Sam Houston State, North Dakota State, Georgia Southern, Montana, and Northern Iowa. Without Eastern Washington around, the country is guaranteed a new champion at college football’s highest tournament.
The playoffs are scheduled to begin on Nov. 26, with quarterfinals on Dec. 9 and 10, semis the following week, and the final at 1 pm ET on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas.
The CAA led the way with five of the 20 teams selected.
11/19/11 Chester PA: Villanova Corner Back James Pitts #1 gesture in front of Delaware Wide receiver Mark Schenauer #6 in the second quarter Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at PPL Park in Chester PA. Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (7-4) with the win didn't qualify for the FCS Playoff this year.
The Blue Hens (4-2, 2-1 CAA), who extended their home winning streak to seven games and won for the 14th time in the last 15 outings at Delaware Stadium, held the Tribe (3-3, 1-2 CAA) to just 11 first downs and 210 total yards for the game. Pierce went over the 100-yard mark for the fifth time in six games this season and for the 12th time in 21 career games at Delaware. He also moved into ninth place on the all-time UD rushing list with 2,287 yards, passing Norman Coleman (2,215 yards in 1993-96).
Quarterback Tim Donnelly completed 16 of 24 passes for 124 yards and tossed two scoring passes one 29 yards to senior Bobby Russo in the first quarter and 11 yards to Nihja White in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Delaware defeated William & Mary 21-0 in front of 17, 808 fans at Delaware Stadium on Saturday Oct. 08, 2011 in Newark DE.
Delaware defeated Delaware State 45-0 in front of 18,011 fans at Delaware Stadium Saturday Sept. 17, 2011 in Newark DE. Delaware Tim Donnelly went 13-14 for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Andrew Pierce and Walter Davis both ran for over 100 yards and Nihja White Caught 7 balls for 122 yards.
Delaware will return home Sept. 24, 2011 for a Colonial Athletic Association showdown with Old Dominion at 12:pm at Delaware Stadium.
Delaware state will hit the road for two game at Orangeburg South Carolina and at Tallahassee, Florida before returning home Saturday October. 8, 2011 to face Norfolk State.
(Monsterphoto/Saquan Stimpson)
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