December 18 (UPI) — Joe Silver ran for 116 yards and the Delaware defense forced three turnovers to beat Louisiana for the Blue Hens’ first-ever FBS bowl victory.
The Blue Hens (7-6) outgained total yards 335-334 and trailed 20-16 in the opening round and about eight minutes of possession on Wednesday in the 68th Venture Bowl in Mobile, Ala., before winning 20-13.
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“This is a special experience for our program, our community, the entire state, the University of Delaware and these student-athletes who have put in so much blood, sweat and tears this season and offseason,” Blue Hens coach Ryan Carty said during the trophy presentation.
“Man, the 2025 season is special.”
The Blue Hens announced their intention to move to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2023 and play their first season as members of the American Conference. First-year FBS teams typically aren’t selected to play in bowl games, but the Blue Hens received an exemption to compete because there weren’t enough six-win programs to fill a 42-game bowl roster.
Ragin’ Cajun kicker Tony Sterner missed a field goal on the opening drive of the game. On the Ragin’ Cajuns’ second possession, cornerback Nate Evans intercepted quarterback Lunch Winfield in the end zone.
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Silver let go on a breakaway in the final seconds of the first quarter, slammed his left foot to the ground and ran for a 61-yard touchdown for the first score of the night.
Midway through the second quarter, Sterner narrowed the gap with a 22-yard field goal. Blue Hens kicker Nate Reed returned a 33-yard punt at the end of the quarter to lead 10-3 at halftime.
After halftime, the Blue Hens extended their advantage with six 70-yard touchdown drives. Quarterback Nick Minicucci capped off the drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Sean Wilson. About six minutes later, Reed added a 26-yard field goal for a 20-3 lead.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (6-7) scored 10 points to end the night, but couldn’t finish their matchup. With about 2 minutes and 31 seconds left in the third quarter, Sterner shot a 39-yard field goal.
Winfield threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Sheldon Sampson Jr. to cut the Ragin’ Cajun deficit to seven points. The Ragin’ Cajuns continued their drive toward the Blue Hens’ 7-yard line on their final drive of the night, but Winfield’s final pass was broken up as time expired, ending the game.
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In the win, Silver touched the ball 15 times from scrimmage for 118 yards. Minicui completed 19 of 30 passes for 176 yards and one score. Wilson caught eight passes for 81 yards and a score.
Winfield completed 21 of 36 passes for 231 yards, one score and one interception. He also fumbled the ball. Blue Hens linebackers Marje Malumba and Anthony Crenshaw Jr. both had fumble recoveries in the win.
Old Dominion also earned a bowl victory Wednesday, defeating South Florida 24-20 in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
South Carolina State earned its first win of the bowl season with a 40-38 overtime victory over Prairie View A&M in the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Saturday. Washington (L.A. Bowl) and Troy (IS4S Tribute to Veterans Bowl) also had early bowl wins.
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Missouri State will take on Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl in Frisco, Texas, on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET. The game at the Star’s Ford Center will be broadcast on ESPN2.
