PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The University of Delaware football team will kick off its 2026 season Thursday night, hosting Merrimack in Newark.
This will be Delaware’s second season at the FBS level. In their first in 2025, the Blue Hens went 7-6 and won the 68 Ventures Bowl.
Delaware boasts a top returning quarterback in Nick Minicucci, and head coach Ryan Carty likes what he has along the offensive line.
“We do have three returning starters and a bunch of people that have played ball there. I think we are pretty solid there,” Carty said. “It’s nice to have continuity there, in particular, at the center position in [senior] Steven Demboski, just someone who’s kind of the leader of our team and one of the best people on our team and is just such a tough, smart player … [who] sets the tone for us.”
Delaware will take on a Merrimack team that already has a game under its belt. The Warriors, who play at the FCS level, dropped a 34-7 decision to Rhode Island last Friday.
Kickoff at Delaware Stadium is set for 7 p.m. Thursday.
