UNC Scouting Report: Delaware Blue Hens
By Ben Coley
The Delaware Blue Hens will be limping into Chapel Hill with a 1-2 record. To be blunt, this is not some powerful FCS school that will give UNC problems – Delaware was picked to finish sixth in the Colonial Athletic Conference. The Blue Hens have yet to eclipse 300 yards of offense or score more than 25 points. Sure, it’s only three games, but their statistics should only get worse when they face FBS talent on Saturday.
No Consistency on Offense
For the most part, there is not much consistency in offensive touches for the Blue Hens. Through three games, three different running backs – Jalen Randolph, Kareem Williams and Wes Hills – have led the team in rushing. None of them have exceeded 100 yards either. In passing, junior Blake Rankin only managed 60 yards in Delaware’s home opener versus Jacksonville. Against Lafayette and Villanova, redshirt freshman Joe Walker had a combined 152 passing yards.
North Carolina Tar Heels
The name that jumps out the most – which doesn’t say too much – is Diante Cherry. On the season, the sophomore has 13 catches for 146 yards. He’s listed as 5-11, 180-pounds, so I imagine he is a quick receiver who is crafty and skilled at catching passes in the middle of the field, comparable to Ryan Switzer. But UNC’s secondary has been shutting down passing games this season. The Tar Heels have allowed 143.3 yards through the air, which is 13th in the nation. If the Blue Hens have any chance, expect them to try their luck running the ball.
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Honestly, Delaware’s best offensive player may be senior offensive lineman Ben Curtis. He is the only offensive player to make the Preseason All-CAA team, and he is a potential All-American candidate. But it’s obvious that his position on the field isn’t going to win games for the Blue Hens.
Strong Defensive Line – David Tinsley & Grant Roberts.
The weaknesses on offense are somewhat shielded by the defense, particularly the defensive line. The Blue Hens have allowed only 71.1 rushing yards per game this season. And the two main run-stoppers are senior David Tinsley and sophomore Grant Roberts. Tinsley leads the team with 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Roberts has 3.5 tackles for loss and registered one sack. Both of them have outperformed Blaine Woodson, who was the only Blue Hens defender picked for the Preseason All-CAA team.
Roberts, Tinsley and the rest of the defense will face a test against UNC’s rushing attack, which has rushed over 200 yards in each of its three games. Delaware will win the line of scrimmage here and there, but it is not likely that Roberts or Tinsley will have the skill to stop Elijah Hood or TJ Logan on a consistent basis. But then again, ACC opponents will have just as much trouble. Delaware is by far the weakest team on UNC’s schedule and the game will get ugly pretty quickly. I expect UNC’s offensive to score at least 50 once again.