Under Preview: Delaware vs. Old Dominion
Published: Monday, October 22, 2012
Updated: Monday, October 22, 2012 20:10
Time: Saturday at 12 p.m.
Location: Foreman Field
at S. B. Ballard Stadium, Norfolk, Va.
About the teams:
About Delaware: The Hens sit at 5-2, with a 2-2 CAA record. They defeated Rhode Island, 47-24, on Saturday. Delaware finished with 471 yards of offense in that game, as senior quarterback Tim Donnelly made his first start of the year. Sophomore quarterback Trent Hurley, who started the Hens’ first six games, may miss the rest of the season. The Hens are ranked No. 20 in the country.
Old Dominion: The Monarchs are 6-1 and 3-1 in the conference and are ranked No. 6. The team’s only loss came to defending CAA Champion Towson. The Monarchs were picked to finish second in the CAA in the preseason coaches poll.
Why the Hens can win:
Delaware finally got its offense clicking against Rhode Island. They put up 471 yards, just 16 off of the season high. The team also ran for 268 yards, the most since September 2011. Junior running back Andrew Pierce scored three total touchdowns, while Donnelly was efficient, completing 19 of 27 pass attempts. Delaware beat Old Dominion last season, one of the Monarchs’ two regular season losses.
Why the Hens could lose:
The Monarchs have an explosive offense. They lead all 121 teams with 575 yards per game, and quarterback Taylor Heinicke is fourth in passing efficiency. The 24 points Rhode Island scored against Delaware was a season-high for the Rams, and the banged-up Hens defense will have to play better if the team is to defeat Old Dominion.
The numbers:
46.57: Old Dominion’s average number of points per game, top in the nation.
6.79: The Monarchs’ average number of yards gained per play, fifth in the country. Delaware averages 4.8 yards per play.
20.43: The average number of points Delaware has allowed per game this year, 31st in the country.
The prediction:
The Monarchs have scored at least 45 points in five games this year. Heinicke is deadly, and the Hens will struggle to limit him and the rest of the Monarchs offense. I don’t think the Hens get it done on the road against a top-10 team.
Delaware: 24
Rhode Island: 41
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