Dec. 18 (UPI) — Joe Silver ran for 116 yards and the Delaware defense forced three turnovers to beat Louisiana for the first FBS bowl victory in Blue Hens history.
The Blue Hens (7-6) were out-gained 335-334 in total yards and trailed 20-16 in first downs and by about eight minutes in time of possession in the 20-13 triumph in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Wednesday in Mobile, Ala.
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“This was such a special experience for our program, for our community, our whole state, the University of Delaware and for these student athletes, who put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this season and off-season,” Blue Hens coach Ryan Carty said at the trophy presentation ceremony.
“Man, the 2025 season was special.”
The Blue Hens announced their intention to move to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2023 and played their first season as a member of Conference USA this season. First-year FBS teams are generally not chosen for bowl games, but the Blue Hens received a waiver to play because there were not enough six-win programs to fill the 42-game bowl slate.
Ragin’ Cajuns kicker Tony Sterner missed a field goal on the game’s opening drive. Cornerback Nate Evans intercepted quarterback Lunch Winfield in the end zone on the Ragin’ Cajuns’ second possession.
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Silver took a hand off on the resulting drive, slammed his left foot on the ground and ripped off a 61-yard touchdown run for the first points of the night in the final seconds of the first quarter.
Sterner cut into the deficit with a 22-yard kick midway through the second. Blue Hens kicker Nate Reed answered with a 33-yard kick at the end of the quarter for a 10-3 lead at the break.
The Blue Hens came out of halftime with a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to build onto their advantage. Quarterback Nick Minicucci threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Sean Wilson to end that drive. Reed added a 26-yard field goal about six minutes later for a 20-3 lead.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (6-7) scored 10 unanswered points to end the night, but could not complete their rally. Sterner made a 39-yard field goal with about 2:31 remaining in the third quarter.
Winfield threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Shelton Sampson Jr., on the Ragin’ Cajuns’ next drive to cut the deficit to seven. The Ragin’ Cajuns proceeded to march to the Blue Hens’ 7-yard line on the final drive of the night, but Winfield’s final pass was broken up as time expired, ending the game.
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Silver logged 118 yards from scrimmage on 15 touches in the victory. Miniccui completed 19 of 30 passes for 176 yards and a score. Wilson caught eight passes for 81 yards and a score.
Winfield completed 21 of 36 passes for 231 yards, a score and an interception. He also lost a fumble. Blue Hens linebackers Marje Malumba and Anthony Crenshaw Jr., each logged fumble recoveries in the victory.
Old Dominion also earned a bowl victory Wednesday with a 24-20 triumph over South Florida in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
South Carolina State earned the first victory of bowl season with a 40-38 overtime win over Prairie View A&M on Saturday in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. Washington (Buckle Up LA Bowl) and Troy (IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl) also earned early bowl victories.
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Missouri State will face Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl at 9 p.m. EST Thursday in Frisco, Texas. That matchup, held at the Ford Center at The Star, will air on ESPN2.
