By Andy Walter

NEWARK — A week before Delaware’s football season opener, coach Ryan Carty is sticking with his original assessment that he might use two quarterbacks in the game.

Junior Ryan O’Connor and transfer Zach Marker have been dueling for the starting QB job since spring practice.

This morning Carty said he wasn’t ready to name a starter for the opener yet. The Blue Hens open their schedule with a 7 p.m. CAA game at Stony Brook next Thursday.

“I honestly probably think you’ll see a little bit of both of them at some point during the game,” said Carty. “I think both of them have done things that would warrant being the starting quarterback during this camp and during the offseason.

“I also think both of them are capable, talent-wise, and certainly mentally.”

After playing in four games last fall, O’Connor is the only current Delaware QB who has taken snaps in a game for the Hens. But Marker did play in a total of 20 games over three seasons at Iowa Central Community College.

Graduated Nolan Henderson has been Delaware’s starting quarterback for much of the past three seasons.

Carty said the rest of the Hens’ offensive players should feel comfortable no matter which player is behind center.

“I think both of them give us a chance to go out there and be successful as an offense,” said Carty. “I don’t think we’ll really know (who’s starting) as a team until a day or two before the game. We’re still going to go ahead and split reps throughout this week and try our best to put our best forward with that position.

“Obviously I think both of them understand their charge, whether they’re one or two, to go out there and prepare like they’re one.”

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at awalter@iniusa.org. Follow on Twitter @DSNSports.