By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Kickers really have to be ready for anything at any time.

So, yes, Delaware’s kickers really were out there in the pouring rain on Sunday.

You never know when you might have to kick in bad weather, right?

“It was fun, I kind of enjoyed it,” said the Blue Hens’ Nate Reed. “Every step I took was a puddle so, after every kick, I had to fix my shoe.”

Of course, Delaware football fans would likely tell you that they’ve never been sure what to expect from the Hens’ kickers over the last couple seasons.

Delaware has tried five different kickers in that two-year stretch with that group making just 14-of-26 field-goal attempts. PAT kicks have been better, of course, but the Hens have still missed seven of 96 extra-points, too.

With Reed back for his second season handling field goals and kickoffs, the Hens are optimistic for the upcoming season, however. The former East Stroudsburg transfer was 7-of-9 on field-goal attempts last season.
Reed made all seven of his kicks of 40 yards or less.

“He’s having a really good camp,” said UD special teams coach Rocco DiMeco. “Another year of experience, another year in the weight room.

“He’s a big, tall kid,” he said about the 6-foot-3 Reed. “So he’s got a long leg and a fast swing. I think he’s added some power with some strength.”

The Hens do have other kicking options. Grad student Brandon Ratcliffe and freshman Skyler Sholder are also on the roster.

Two years ago, Ratcliffe was 4-for-7 on field goals and averaged 51.3 yards on 41 kickoffs.

“There’s a lot of talent in that room right now,” said DiMeco. “We have had guys handle different duties.

“At the end of the day, whoever’s best at what and can help us win the football game is going to do that. If we have a guy who’s the best clearly, then he’ll handle those duties.”

Under coach Ryan Carty, the Hens haven’t tried many field goals. Part of that is strategy but part of it is also because Delaware’s kickers have been inconsistent.

Reed just wants to be ready whenever he is called on to make a kick.

“Last year was kind of my year to adjust,” he said. “I feel great coming into this year. I know this place a lot better now. I know the uprights, I know the field.
“I’m here just to do my job now. There’s not as many nerves any more.”

Josh Cupitt was an honorable mention All-CAA punter for Towson last season before transferring to Delaware. DELAWARE ATHLETICS PHOTO

New punter no stranger

For the fourth straight season, Delaware will have a new punter this fall.

And for the third year in a row, the starting punter will be a transfer.

But Towson transfer Josh Cupitt is hardly a stranger to the Hens. In Delaware’s 51-13 at Towson last fall, he averaged 49 yards a kick on three punts.

That included a 59-yard punt. Cupitt said it was his best game of the season.

An honorable mention All-CAA pick, Cupitt finished third in FCS and first in the CAA at 44.9 yards per punt

“He stuck out on film,” said DiMeco. “He’s one of the better punters in the CAA. All his statistics were really, really good.

“And he was fast. We didn’t even really plan on attempting to block last year against them because they were so fast. Once we saw him in the portal, he was a kid who was a priority for us to go try and get.”

It turns out Cupitt had some connections to Delaware. He has an uncle, Kevin Stetser, who also played football for the Hens.

Cupitt said the family ties, having some high school friends on the squad and Delaware’s impending move to FBS all played a part in his decision to come to Newark.

As much as anything, Cupitt said he really liked what he saw from the Hens across the field when they faced the Tigers.

“When I first walked out on the field, they had the energy,” said Cupitt. “I’ve never seen a team with more energy. That really stuck with me.

“And the way it carried throughout the game. ... I was like, ‘Wow, that was pretty neat.’ ”

EXTRA POINTS

Cupitt is expected to handle holding duties on place kicks. ... He also did some kicking at Towson in practice. ... Delaware brought in Salesianum grad Ethan Dumont, who has been at both UMass and Weber State, as another long snapper.