Subdivision runner-up Delaware is packed with D.C.-area talent
Suitland graduate Mark Duncan is one of four starting receivers back for Delaware. The big question for the Blue Hens, however, is: Who will throw the ball to Duncan and his posse?
With Delaware traveling to Maryland for the opener for both teams Saturday, the Terrapins don’t know who to prepare for — Lou Ritacco or Rob Schoenhoft. As far as preparations go, it hasn’t made a difference.
“Neither one of them has played, so we don’t have any tape on them,” said Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen. “Hopefully, they’ll be doing the same things they did last year, but we don’t know that.”
What Delaware did last year was impressive. Behind quarterback Joe Flacco, now the starter for the Baltimore Ravens, the Blue Hens (11-4) scored 543 points on their way to the NCAA Division I Subdivision (formerly I-AA) title game, where they lost to Appalachian State.
Now it is the responsibility of Ritacco, a red-shirt freshman, or Schoenhoft, a transfer from Ohio State, to run the Blue Hens’ no-huddle spread offense.
“We have no idea who their starting quarterback will be,” said Terps senior linebacker Chase Bullock. “We know they have one guy who’s 6-6 (Schoenhoft) and we know they have another guy. That’s about it. We’re going to go out and focus on what we do.”
Going into its first meeting with Maryland since 1948, Delaware also is unsettled at running back, where it must replace Omar Cuff, a graduate of C.H. Flowers High, who had 2,499 yards rushing and receiving last year, led all of college football with 39 touchdowns, and is in camp with the Tennessee Titans.
Senior Johnathon Smith (6-3, 230) will get the start, a surprise considering he transferred last year from Connecticut as a linebacker.
“He just went so hard all the time. He’s so physical,” said Delaware coach K.C. Keller, who added that the Blue Hens will have a “backfield-by-committee operation.”
After going 6-7 last year, its third losing season in the last four years, Maryland is anxious for a quick start. The Terps have often struggled in openers against lower-division teams, losing to Northern Illinois in 2003, and squeaking out victories over Northern Illinois and Navy, both by 23-20 scores, the following two seasons.
“They have 14 transfers from Division I schools, so they’re not going to be in awe coming in here,” said Friedgen. “They had a quarterback who was a No. 1 pick. Obviously, they had people around him.”
Local Hens
Delaware starts five players from the Washington area.
WR Mark Duncan (Suitland) » Junior had 70 receptions for 916 yards in 2007.
LB Walter Blair (McNamara) » Junior was Hens’ third-leading tackler (95) in 2007.
OG Corey Nicholson (Linganore) » Junior has battled injuries to start in 20 games.
SS Anthony Bratton (Osbourn Park) » Sophomore was second-leading tackler (105) in 2007.
P Stuart Kenworthy (St. Albans) » Former walk-on starts at punter for fourth straight year.
