By Andy Walter

NEWARK — What exactly went wrong last season is open to debate.

But the disappointing bottom line for the Delaware football team was pretty obvious.

After reaching the NCAA FCS Division I semifinals in the spring, the Blue Hens went just 5-6 in the fall.

The year finished with head coach Danny Rocco and much of his staff being fired.

“We just made a lot of mistakes,” said quarterback Nolan Henderson. “We didn’t play consistent ball. Our best was good and then our worst was pretty bad. That could be from a week to week standpoint.

“You can’t have an off day in this league because anyone can knock off anyone.”

The pollsters in the Colonial Athletic Association, though, believe that Delaware is going to turn things around this season under new head coach Ryan Carty.

On Thursday, the Blue Hens were picked to finish second in the 13-team CAA behind only league favorite Villanova. Delaware received seven of 26 first-place votes in the preseason poll released at the conference’s virtual media day.

The Hens also put a league-best five players on the preseason All-CAA first team with eight players earning mention all together.

Delaware’s players, who start preseason practice next Friday, know better than to take anything for granted, though.

“Every day counts, every day matters,” said safety Kedrick Whitehead. “We have to go out there and actually make it happen, each and every opportunity we get.”

Wide receiver Thyrick Pitts earned his second-straight nod to the preseason team after being an All-CAA second-team selection in 2021. A year ago, he led the team with 43 catches and 669 receiving yards and ranked fourth in the CAA with seven touchdown receptions.

Whitehead, at safety, led four Hens on the defensive side of the preseason team. The five-time All-American earned his third straight all-conference nod in 2021 when he was named to the All-CAA first team after registering 76 tackles with eight pass breakups.

Whitehead was joined by linebacker Johnny Buchanan, who was an All-CAA second-team pick in 2021 after leading UD in tackles, as well as defensive linemen Artis Hemmingway and Chase McGowan, who both earned All-CAA third-team honors last season.

Additionally, Henderson, defensive back Noah Plack and punt returner Jourdan Townsend all received honorable mention recognition. Plack and Townsend were both All-CAA second-team selections in 2021.

Of course, there’s always the assumption that Henderson’s health is the biggest factor in the Hens’ fortunes.

A first-team All-CAA pick in the spring, the Smyrna High grad played in only four games in the fall before undergoing surgery for an abdominal injury.

On Thursday, Henderson said he feels great and trying to find new ways to avoid injuries.

“I want to stay on the field as much as I can,” he said. “Just staying more mobile and staying in the training room. A lot of times the young guys think being in the training room is a bad thing.

“But you should be in there even when you’re healthy, trying to work on your body. ... I’m feeling great and I just can’t wait to get started.”

Of course, Carty is also installing a new offense. There’s bound to be a learning curve once the Hens actually get into the season.

Delaware open its schedule on Sept. 3 at Navy.

“I think the summer’s been huge,” said Carty. “But really it’s about reps. So that’s what fall camp is going to be. We’re going to make sure that we leave it crisp — because if we don’t, it’ll show up on Saturday.

“We’re excited where we’re at as an offense, as a defense and as a specials teams unit. But we do have a ways to go in all three phases.”

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at 302-741-8227 or walter@iniusa.org.
Follow on Twitter at @DSNSports.