Wes Hills ran for a team-high 88 yards on 16 carries in the Blue Hens' season-opening loss to Jacksonville. (Delaware sports information/Mark Campbell)

NEWARK – The Delaware football team has lost one of its top players, junior running back Wes Hills, to a season-ending foot injury.

Hills broke his foot in the Blue Hens’ 20-14 season-opening loss to Jacksonville last Friday and will require surgery. He’ll still have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder had a combined 185 yards rushing and on kickoff returns in the opener.

Along with Hills’ contributions on kickoff returns, he was also one of the Hens’ top players on kickoff coverage. Delaware hosts Lafayette on Saturday at 6 p.m.

"Certainly any time you lose a player who is as dynamic a contributor as Wes, it's a significant loss,” said Delaware coach Dave Brock. "Wes is an elite special teams player, so that facet of the game we have to replace.

“He is very dynamic and an emotional leader on this team. He's a guy we can count on to not only play well but also bring high energy. He is an extremely popular kid and he will remain close to the program. You will still see him on the sidelines and he'll still play a big part in helping us win. He just won't be on the field.”

Hills shared the starting running back job with fellow junior Jalen Randolph. Delaware still has sophomore Kareem Williams, redshirt freshman Thomas Jefferson and junior Eric Patton, who moved from linebacker in preseason.

Brock planned to redshirt Williams this season but he’ll now be part of the rotation.

“Fortunately that is probably our deepest position, certainly on offense and probably on the entire team,” said Brock. “We have capable guys who can step up and play. We will be ready."