FIU, Delaware share similarities in Conference USA opener for both teams
In a sense, FIU and Delaware are mirror images.
Both teams are 2-1 with their only losses coming against a Power 4 team — FIU losing at Penn State by 34 points and Delaware losing at Colorado by 24.
In addition, both teams are coming off their most impressive wins of the season. FIU ended a seven-game losing streak against its biggest rival, Florida Atlantic; while Delaware scored a walk-off 44-41 overtime win over visiting Connecticut.
Delaware is new to FBS this year, and that was the Fightin’ Blue Hens first ever win over a fellow FBS team.
Saturday’s game will be the 2025 Conference USA opener for FIU and Delaware.
Here are five things to watch for in Saturday’s game, which starts at 6 p.m.:
1: GARDEN STATE DUO: Delaware’s offense is led by two players from New Jersey: quarterback Nick Minicucci and running back Jo Silver.
Minicucci scored the winning 13-yard touchdown against UConn, faking a handoff and sprinting right up the middle. He also completed 23 of 34 passes for 265 yards, one TD and no interceptions.
On the season, Minicucci has completed 65.1% of his passes for 847 yards, five TDs and one interceptions. He has also rushed for four TDs.
“This will be first time this year we play a team with a quarterback committed to running the ball,” FIU coach Willie Simmons said. “It’s like facing a triple-option except that it’s out of shotgun formation.”
Silver this season has rushed for 260 yards, an 8.1 average and two TDs.
Delaware also has wide receiver Kyre Duplessis, who has caught 17 passes for 263 yards and two TDs.
One potential problem for Delaware is the kicking of Nate Reed, who is just 1 o -4 on field goals.
2: EXPERIENCED DEFENSE: Seven starters return from a Delaware defense that ranked second last year in the Colonial Athletic Association in yards allowed.
Delaware’s most experienced unit is its secondary, as all four starters are back from last season. Safety KT Seay, who had four interceptions last year, leads Delaware this season in tackles (24).
Also, in three games this season, Delaware’s defense has eight sacks.
“Their scheme poses challenges because they mix up their fronts,” Simmons said. “They bring pressure from all over the place.”
3: WHERE FIU CAN ATTACK: Delaware allowed 346 passing yards to Connecticut. The Blue Hens also did not force a turnover and allowed 175 rushing yards and a 5.5 average.
And, in a 35-17 win over Delaware State, the Blue Hens allowed 200 rushing yards and a 4.9 average.
That could bode well for FIU running back Kejon Owens, who is coming off a huge performance against FAU, rushing for a career-high 173 yards, a 9.1 average and two TDs.
Owens was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week on Monday as his rushing performance was the best by an FIU player since D’Vonte Price had 178 yards in 2020.
4: SECONDARY IMPROVING: The Panthers came up with three interceptions against FAU: one each by true freshman Jessiah McGrew; redshirt freshman Shamir Sterlin and redshirt sophomore Mister Clark.
Sterlin, who also had a team-high seven tackles, including one for a loss, was named C-USA’s Freshman of the Week on Monday.
FIU cornerbacks coach Anthony Gaitor said Clark’s pick in the end zone on the last play of the first half was crucial.
“It was a next-level play,” Gaitor said. “If (FAU) scores (a touchdown) on that drive, they would go up (11 points). It was a game-changer.”
Clark, who is from Carol City High, did not play his first year at FIU. Last year, he played just four games, mostly on special teams.
“When he came here as a true freshman, he showed he could be a starter,” Gaitor said. “But he got hurt, and that set him back. … Now he finally has the opportunity to play, and he is making the best of it.”
5: DELAWARE LEGACY: Delaware played its first football game in 1889, giving them a 113-year head start on FIU.
Delaware has also won six national titles: 1946; 1963; 1971; 1972; 1979; and 2003. The Blue Hens made it to the FCS national title games in 2007 and 2010.
Six Delaware quarterbacks went on to play in the NFL, including former Super Bowl MVP and current Browns starter Joe Flacco, 2002 NFL MVP Rich Gannon and ex-Giants passer Scott Brunner.
The Blue Hens have had four coaches who lasted at least eight years in the program, and current coach Ryan Carty, hired in 2022, recently signed an extension through 2030.
Carty, a former Delaware quarterback, has gone 8-5, 9-4 and 9-2 in his first three seasons.
Delaware has never had a season with nine or more losses. FIU, in a much shorter span, has had six such seasons.