Time: Friday at 7:00 p.m. EST
Location: Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas
About Delaware: The Hens (12-2) have defeated Lehigh 42-20, CAA foe New Hampshire 16-3 and Georgia Southern 27-10 in the playoffs to get to the title game. Seniors Pat Devlin, Anthony Walters and Anthony Bratton were all named to the third team of the Associated Press Football Championship Subdivision All-American team. Bratton and freshman running back Andrew Pierce were also named to the third team of The Sports Network All-American list. The championship game will be a record-setting occasion for two Delaware seniors. Right tackle Kevin Uhll and tight end and long snapper Zach Reed will both play in their 53rd consecutive game, breaking the record of 52 set by tight end Rick Lavelle from 2000 to 2003.
About Eastern Washington: The Eagles (12-2) were seeded fifth in the playoff bracket and beat Southeast Missouri State 37-17, North Dakota State 38-31 in overtime and Villanova 41-31 to arrive at the championship game. Eastern Washington has not lost since a Sept. 25 defeat at Montana State by the score of 30-7, giving them a winning streak of 10 games. Junior quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell anchors the team and has thrown for 3,194 yards this season with 34 touchdowns. The defense is led by senior linebacker J.C. Sherritt who has 158 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions on the year. Junior running back Taiwan Jones has 1,742 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns this season, but suffered a fracture in his foot during the quarterfinal win over North Dakota State and may not be able to return in time for the game. His replacement, freshman Mario Brown, rushed for 104 yards in the semifinal win against Villanova.
Why the Hens can win: Delaware still boasts the best defense the country, giving up an average of only 11.5 points per game. The Hens also have Devlin, who has thrown 22 touchdowns and only two interceptions this year, compared to 14 picks thrown by Mitchell. The senior secondary of Bratton, Walters, Tyrone Grant and Daryll Jones will also probably the best Mitchell has seen this year. The balanced attack of Devlin and Pierce gives teams fits to defend for the whole game, and the much improved offensive line has shown a propensity of being able to wear down teams in the second half. The Hens also have the experience factor on their side. Several players, including Bratton, Walters, Grant and Matt Marcorelle were all on the field for the 2007 national championship game.
Why the Hens can lose: Just looking at head-to-head results it is simple to see why Delaware could lose this game. The Hens lost to Villanova while the Eagles defeated the Wildcats to get into the title game. Mitchell is probably the best passing quarterback Delaware has seen all year and will test the secondary. If Jones is able to play, he might be the best running back the Hens have seen this year. The Eagles have great team defense as well, if they can take away the threat of Pierce on the ground with the speed of their linebackers and defensive line, then the secondary can focus on trying to prevent Devlin from making quick reads and picking them apart.
By the Numbers:
+1.21-+.86: The turnover margins of the two teams. Delaware has the third best in the NCAA while EWU is ranked 10th.
2-0: Delaware's record all-time against the Big Sky conference, with wins in the playoffs at Montana in 1993 and at home against Portland State in 2000.
20-25: The number of interceptions each team has this year, two of the best in the nation.
3: The consecutive games junior Mark Schenauer has caught a touchdown pass after entering the playoffs with zero for his entire career.
The Prediction:
These are two of the best teams in the nation at forcing turnovers, and whichever team wins that battle will most likely win the game. While Mitchell may be the best quarterback the Hens have seen all year, Delaware has the best quarterback for the country. Devlin will put up his usual impressive numbers and enough points on the board, and the Hens defense will do enough to hold the Eagles. Delaware wins its seventh national championship.
Hens 34
Eagles 24
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