2003 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 2003 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football Atlantic 10 Conference A-10 1 15–1 8–1 K. C. Keeler 2nd Kirk Ciarrocca 2nd Spread Dave Cohen 2nd 4–3 Delaware Stadium NCAA Division I-AA championA-10 co-championLambert Cup winnerECAC Team of the Year NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game W 40–0 vs. Colgate The 2003 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team was an American football team that represented the University of Delaware as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) during the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their second year under head coach K. C. Keeler, the Fightin' Blue Hens compiled a 15–1 record (8–1 in conference games, outscored opponents by a total of 555 to 247, and tied with UMass for the A-10 championship. The Fightin' Blue Hens advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, where they defeated Southern Illinois in the first round, Northern Iowa in the quarterfinals, Wofford in the semifinals, and Colgate in the championship game. The team gained 3,322 rushing yards (207.6 yards per game) and 2,937 passing yards (183.6 yards per game). On defense, they gave up 1,829 rushing yards (114.3 yards per game) and 3,019 passing yards (188.7 yards per game).2003 Atlantic 10 Conference: Delaware CBS Sports February 24, 2025 https://static.caasports.com/custompages/stats/FB/2003/delaware.htm The team's individual statistical leaders included: Quarterback Andy Hall completed 234 of 378 passes (61.9%) for 2,764 yards with 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He tallied a season-high 283 passing yards against The Citadel. Running back Germaine Bennett set a Delaware record with 1,625 rushing yards on 323 carries (5.0 yards per carry) with 21 touchdowns. Bennett also led the team with 126 points scored. He rushed for a season-high 186 yards against Wofford. Wide receiver David Boler tallied 60 receptions for 716 yards and nine touchdowns. He had a season-high 121 receiving yards against New Hampshire. Middle linebacker Mondoe Davis led the team with 110 total tackles, including 54 solo tackles and 56 assists. Placekicker Brad Shushman completed 17 of 24 field goals and 64 of 67 extra points for a total of 115 points. The team played home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware. Schedule 2003 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network Eastern September 6 7:00 pm w y 14 The Citadel Delaware Stadium Newark, DE 41–7 20,612 Hens Take It Easy: Delaware's offense nearly unstoppable against unranked Citadel The News Journal Kevin Tresolini September 7, 2003 D1, D7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-hens-take-it-easy-dela/166664494/ Newspapers.com September 13 7:00 pm w 11 Richmond Delaware Stadium Newark, DE CN8 44–14 21,388 Hens Romp To Win: Richmond errors help Delaware build early lead The News Journal Kevin Tresolini September 14, 2003 D1, D7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-hens-romp-to-win-richm/166664891/ Newspapers.com September 20 7:00 pm w y 8 2003 West Chester Golden Rams West Chester Delaware Stadium Newark, DE rivalry 49–7 21,002 Mismatch: Delaware strikes early and often in routing Rams The News Journal Kevin Tresolini September 21, 2003 D1, D6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-mismatch-delaware-stri/166665199/ Newspapers.com September 27 12:30 pm w y 7 2003 Hofstra Pride Hofstra James M. Shuart Stadium Hempstead, NY CSTV 24–14 3,228 Hall's Dash Does It: Quarterback's record run through Hofstra keeps UD unbeaten The News Journal Kevin Tresolini September 28, 2003 D1, D6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-halls-dash-does-it-qu/166670344/ Newspapers.com October 4 7:00 pm w 4 William & Mary Delaware Stadium Newark, DE rivalry 41–27 20,485 On All Cyliners: Delaware offense continues to dominate in Atlantic 10 victory The News Journal Kevin Tresolini October 5, 2003 E1, E9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-all-cyliners-delaware/166663286/ Newspapers.com October 11 12:00 pm w y 4 New Hampshire Cowell Stadium Durham, NH CSN 22–21 4,815 Blue Hens sneak away with a win The News Journal Kevin Tresolini October 12, 2025 D1, D9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-lue-hens-sneak-away-wit/166662957/ Newspapers.com October 18 12:00 pm w y 4 Rhode Island Delaware Stadium Newark, DE 55–10 20,795 Routing the Rams: Overwhelming offense, Rhode Island turnovers add up to easy win for UD The News Journal Kevin Tresolini October 19, 2003 D1, D6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-routing-the-rams/166662626/ Newspapers.com October 25 1:30 pm w y y 3 Navy Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD HDNet 21–17 34,982 Hard Road To 8-0 The News Journal October 26, 2003 D1, D6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-hard-road-to-8-0/166661686/ Newspapers.com November 1 1:00 pm w 2 Maine Delaware Stadium Newark, DE 24–21 OT 22,057 'An Amazing Win': Key block, field goal in overtime boost Blue Hens to 9-0 The News Journal Kevin Tresolini November 2, 2003 A1, C1, C6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-an-amazing-win-key-b/166661302/ Newspapers.com November 8 12:30 pm l y 2 2003 Northeastern Huskies Northeastern Parsons Field Brookline, MA 14–24 4,198 Mistakes doom Delaware: Penalties, dropped passes sabotage UD's chance for unbeaten season The News Journal Martin Frank November 9, 2003 D1, D11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-mistakes-doom-delaware/166658754/ Newspapers.com November 15 12:20 pm w 6 UMass 3 Delaware Stadium Newark, DE TFN 51–45 3OT 21,804 Hens Back on Track: Overtime thriller brings A-10 closer The News Journal Kevin Tresolini November 16, 2003 D1, D11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/25389837/ Newspapers.com November 22 4:00 pm w y 3 Villanova 18 Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA Battle of the Blue CN8 20–17 12,253 UD Rallies For A-10 Title: Even injury can't slow these Hens The News Journal Martin Frank November 23, 2003 E1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-ud-rallies-for-a-10-tit/166657839/ Newspapers.com November 29 1:00 pm w y 3 Southern Illinois 4 Delaware Stadium Newark, DE NCAA Division I-AA First Round CSTV 48–7 14,572 Tresolini Kevin Blue Hens advance in playoffs https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91432188/the-news-journal/ December 29, 2021 The News Journal November 30, 2003 A1 Newspapers.com December 6 12:00 pm w y 3 Northern Iowa 7 Delaware Stadium Newark, DE NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal ESPN Plus 37–7 11,881 UD Plows Ahead Daily News Journal Kevin Tresolini December 7, 2003 D1, D9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-ud-plows-ahead/166639143/ Newspapers.com December 13 1:00 pm w y 3 Wofford 2 Delaware Stadium Newark, DE NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal ESPN2 24–9 14,351 Hens In Title Game Daily News Journal Kevin Tresolini December 14, 2003 A1, A6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-hens-in-title-game/166638765/ Newspapers.com December 19 7:00 pm w y y 3 Colgate 6 Finley Stadium Chattanooga, TN NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game ESPN2 40–0 14,281 Blue Heaven: Delaware Routs Colgate, Wins First I-AA Crown The News Journal (Wilmington, DE) Kevin Tresolini December 20, 2003 C1, C7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-blue-heaven-delaware-r/166638066/ Newspapers.com Delaware Blue Hens Schedule 2003 https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/48/season/2003 ESPN November 8, 2022 2003 Football Schedule https://bluehens.com/sports/football/schedule/2003 Delaware Blue Hens November 8, 2022 Roster 2003 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens f 2 Sr Germaine Bennett RB n 6 So David Boler WR n 10 Fr Ryan Carty QB y 12 Sr Andy Hall Andy Hall (American football) QB y 18 So Joe Bleymaier WR y 24 Sr Mike Adams Mike Adams (safety) DB y 4 So Roger Brown Roger Brown (defensive back, born 1984) DB n 15 Jr Mondoe Davis LB y 47 Jr Sidney Haugabrook DB y 69 Jr Chris Edwards C n 88 Sr Rick Lavelle TE n 96 Sr Shawn Johnson DL n 90 Fr Richard Washington Richard Washington (American football) DL y special_teams_ https://www.nmnathletics.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29100&SPID=110401&SPSID=670229&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2003 K. C. Keeler Bryan Bossard Kirk Ciarrocca Dave Cohen Kyle Flood Brian Ginn References Delaware Category:Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football seasons Category:NCAA Division I Football Champions Category:Atlantic 10 Conference football champion seasons Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football Delaware