1986 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1986 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football Yankee Conference Yankee 9–4 5–2 Tubby Raymond 21st Ted Kempski 19th Delaware Wing-T 5–2 Delaware Stadium Yankee Conference co-champion NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal L 14–55 vs. Arkansas State The 1986 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team represented the University of Delaware in the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season. It was the program's first year as a member of the Yankee Conference, after having been an independent for the previous 16 seasons. Delaware was led by Tubby Raymond, who was in his 21st season as head coach of the Fightin' Blue Hens. Quarterback Rich Gannon was a senior, and followed this season with an 18-year NFL career. The team played its home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware. Schedule 1986 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee September 6 w 6 Rhode Island Delaware Stadium Newark, DE 44–10 17,337 https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post-singleton-sparks-delaware-o/160417947/ Courier-Post Singleton sparks Delaware over Rhode Island, 44–10 September 7, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com September 13 l 6 New Hampshire Delaware Stadium Newark, DE 21–28 OT 17,294 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-new-hampshire-works-ot/160418098/ Sunday News Journal New Hampshire works OT to top Hens September 14, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com September 20 w y 13 1986 West Chester Golden Rams West Chester Delaware Stadium Newark, DE rivalry 33–31 22,221 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-delaware-score/160418213/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Delaware scores TD on final play to squeak by West Chester, 33–31 September 21, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 w y 19 Richmond University of Richmond Stadium Richmond, VA 20–19 17,423 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112465071/hens-wake-up-in-time-to-edge-richmond/ The Morning News Hens wake up in time to edge Richmond September 28, 1986 November 3, 2022 Newspapers.com October 11 w y 15 UMass Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium Hadley, MA 41–13 13,888 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-gannon-pilots/160418288/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Gannon pilots Delaware past UMass, 41–13 October 12, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 l y T–14 William & Mary 4 Delaware Stadium Newark, DE rivalry 18–24 23,045 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-turnovers-plag/160412119/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Turnovers plague Delaware as William & Mary wins, 24–18 October 19, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com October 25 w y 16 Lehigh Delaware Stadium Newark, DE rivalry 28–17 17,685 Cashing In When It Counts: Hens Awaken, Rally Past Lehigh 28-17 Tom Tomashek October 26, 1986 E1 Sunday News Journal Wilmington, Del. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57300817/1986-lehigh-delaware/ November 1 w y 15 Maine Alumni Field Orono, ME 34–31 3,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bangor-daily-news-gannon-leads-delaw/160418454/ The Bangor Daily News Gannon leads Delaware by Maine 34–31 November 3, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 w T–14 Connecticut Delaware Stadium Newark, DE 35–7 15,855 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-hens-sitting-pretty-in/160418580/ Sunday News Journal Hens sitting pretty in Yankee Conference November 9, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 w y y 12 Navy Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD 27–14 30,089 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-gannon-directs-blue-hens/160418803/ The Daily Times Gannon directs Blue Hens' win November 16, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 l y 11 Boston University Nickerson Field Boston, MA 35–45 2,441 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-bus-comeback/160419041/ The Philadelphia Inquirer BU's comeback for a 45–35 win forces Delaware to share Yankee title November 23, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com November 29 w y y 13 William & Mary 8 Cary Field Williamsburg, VA NCAA Division I-AA First Round 51–17 5,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-blue-hens-pound-willia/160412213/ The Roanoke Times Blue Hens pound William and Mary 51–17 in I-AA playoffs November 30, 1986 December 6, 2024 Newspapers.com December 6 l y 13 Arkansas State 2 Delaware Stadium Newark, Delaware NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal 14–55 12,018 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110927932/arkansas-state-drubs-delaware-5514-in/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Arkansas State drubs Delaware, 55–14, in quarterfinal December 7, 1986 October 8, 2022 Newspapers.com 1986 Football Schedule https://bluehens.com/sports/football/schedule/1986 Delaware Blue Hens November 4, 2022 References Delaware Category:Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football seasons Category:Yankee Conference football champion seasons Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football Delaware