Hens’ Henry to be back on the field

By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Mickey Henry found himself in a tough spot on Saturday.

His back had been bothering him, it was hot and he was lined up across from one of the best defensive lineman he’s ever faced.

But the Delaware center couldn’t have been any happier.

“Right before we got out there for the first play, I was smiling,” said Henry. “I was just really happy to be back out there and be in that atmosphere.”

The fact that Rutgers handled the Blue Hen, 45-13, didn’t change the fact that being on the field is always better than having to watch from the sidelines for Henry.

It was the first time that the 6-foot-4, 280-pound senior from Wilmington had gotten to play this season because of issues with his back.

Delaware was happy to have him back, of course.

“Mickey’s a savvy veteran, he really is,” said UD coach Danny Rocco. “He’s a good player, he’s a tough kid. He loves football, he loves his team.

“I think, in this moment, to have him back in advance of the open date was really beneficial for us moving forward.”

Henry has been limited since pre-season as he deals with a herniated disc in his back. He’s had spinal injections to help him with it.

Even during Saturday’s game, Henry had to come out for a couple series when his back started “acting up.”

“But for it being my first game back, my body held up really good,” said the St. Elizabeth High grad.

“It was really tough,” Henry said about sitting out the first couple games. “With the injury I have, obviously it’s going to take a while. But for some reason mine took a little longer than it should have been.

“All I could really do was help the younger guys that were in and help where I could.”

Coincidence or not, with Henry back in the lineup — along with junior guard Stevon Brown — Delaware ran for 162 yards against the Scarlet Knights. That was the Hens’ highest total in their last eight games going back to the spring.

Henry was happy to see the Hens’ running backs have some success.

“It really feels good for us up front,” he said. “We didn’t have the best of days passing the ball. Our protection didn’t hold up that much. But, when you have the ground game going, it’s something that brings confidence to the next drive.

“I love seeing those guys succeed. Our running backs are really good players but also they’re really good friends. They’re really good guys in the locker room. I wouldn’t want to block for anyone else besides for them.”

Staying on the field this fall won’t be easy for Henry given the nature of a back injury. He was planning on having another spinal injection on Monday.

But Henry said he’s determined to be out there as much as he can.

“I’m going to finish the year,” said Henry. “I want to finish it.”

Hens drop to 8th

Delaware fell two spots to No. 8 in Monday’s FCS STATS national rankings after the loss to Rutgers.

The Hens have an open date this Saturday before hosting Albany on Oct. 2.

The only Colonial Athletic Association team ahead of Delaware in the poll is still No. 3 James Madison (3-0).

Villanova (3-0) is up to No. 11, New Hampshire is No. 21 and Richmond is No. 24.

Rocco said he doesn’t think the Hens are playing as well as they did in the spring. But he remains optimistic that they’ll get better.

“To be here at 2-1 feeling like we’ve got a good number of guys on their way back (from injuries), makes me feel like we’re right where we need to be,” said Rocco.

Henderson hurting

Quarterback Nolan Henderson was clearly in some pain after getting sacked five times on Saturday.

The Smyrna High grad was walking slowly a few times before being taken out of the contest after the third quarter.

Rocco said UD’s medical staff is still diagnosing Henderson’s injuries.

“The medical community is searching and probing for other possible reasons for his discomfort,” said Rocco. “Whether it’s an MRI or another x-ray, they have yet to really feel like they’ve identified (his injury). So that’s always going to be a concern.

“I do think his presentation yesterday and today (Monday) and Saturday was the worst it’s been in terms of just managing pain and walking and things like that.”

As an offensive lineman, Henry said it’s hard to see the QB take some hits. Henderson has been sacked eight times in the last two games.

“Nolan’s a really good friend of mine so I take it a little more personally,” said Henry. “But we’re going to get it fixed, at the end of the day. We have no other choice but to get it fixed. And we’re confident that we can come back and not let that happen again.”

Home again

While Delaware was playing at Rutgers for the first time since 1973, Blue Hen linebacker Johnny Buchanan had been there before.

His father, John, played for the Scarlet Knights and took his son to Rutgers’ games when he was little. The younger Buchanan had also played a high school game at the stadium.

“It was exciting to watch them as a kid,” said Buchanan. “But when I went to high school, I threw the whole ‘fan’ thing out the window and had to choose what was best for me.

“I still do have a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. I felt like they missed out on me and still feel that way. But everything happens for a reason. I’m really happy that I ended up at Delaware. I think it was the perfect fit. I wouldn’t do it any other way.”

Extra points

Delaware did lose defensive lineman Nick Coomer for the season after he injured his knee on Saturday. He is expected to undergo surgery soon. ... Rocco remained more optimistic about linebacker Anthony Toro, who also injured his knee at Rutgers. Rocco said Toro might even return to practice next week. ... Rocco said the biggest concern for Delaware’s defense is the number of big plays the Hens have given up. Including a punt return, Delaware has surrendered four TDs of 59 yards or longer this fall.