NEWARK – For a lot of Delaware football fans, having the Blue Hens play mighty Penn State was a dream matchup.

Now that dream is becoming a reality.

On Thursday, Delaware announced that it has scheduled two games at Penn State, in 2023 and 2027. It will mark the first time Delaware has played an active Big Ten member.

Blue Hen coach Danny Rocco began his collegiate playing career at Penn State before transferring to Wake Forest. Rocco’s father, Frank, spent over 20 years working with the Nittany Lions football program.

The Big Ten doesn’t allow its members to schedule FCS Division I programs like Delaware except in years when they have only four conference home games.