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When Delaware kicks off its Conference USA schedule against Liberty on Friday night, the Blue Hens will do so without their starting quarterback. Nick Minicucci, who has been the team's No. 1 signal-caller, did not take part in pregame warmups and will not play, according to multiple reports. The junior suffered a knee injury in the second quarter of last week's 42-3 loss at Virginia and did not return.
Delaware (2-2) and Liberty (3-1) are set to begin their CUSA campaigns at 7 p.m. at Delaware Stadium, which is sold out for Parents and Family Weekend. The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Minicucci's absence leaves a significant void for a Delaware offense that has relied on his arm. He had been among the nation's leading passers last season and assumed the starting role after Zach Marker suffered a season-ending knee injury on the first play of the second series in the 2025 opener against Delaware State.
In Minicucci's place, the Blue Hens will turn to a pair of experienced but untested options. Braden Streeter, who relieved Minicucci at Virginia, completed just 2 of 16 passes in that outing. Riley Trujillo, the No. 3 quarterback, played the final series. Both are in their third college football seasons, though Trujillo spent his first year at Central Florida.
Head coach Ryan Carty, who also serves as offensive coordinator and calls the plays, has additional depth in sophomores E.J. Archield Jr. and freshman Tyler Bell. Neither has appeared in a college game, but Archield was seen taking snaps from starting center Steven Demboski during pregame warmups, offering a possible hint at the game plan.
Carty has a history of shuffling quarterbacks or using multiple signal-callers in certain packages, a tactic he employed during stints as offensive coordinator at New Hampshire and Sam Houston and since taking over the Blue Hens in 2022.
Delaware closed practice to the media this week and declined to address Minicucci's status or any potential changes, aiming to keep the situation under wraps.
The Blue Hens will face a stout Liberty defense that ranks second in CUSA in points allowed (18.8 per game) and total defense (287 yards per game). Carty emphasized that his offense, particularly the quarterback, must be aware of the varying number of pass rushers the Flames deploy.
He also noted that it helps the UD offense that it will likely see similarities between Liberty's defensive scheme and the Blue Hens' own defense, which features unusual coverages with a three-safety look that allows defenders to move and manipulate around the field.
"What's going to be important for our offense is staying on track," Carty said. "It's making sure we're not in third-and-longs. They have a really good pass rush so when they know it's a pass they can pin their ears back. That's going to be a struggle for us. So we have to make sure to stay on schedule. We got to do better on first and second downs, and when we take our shots, we have to hit them."
Key Analysis
Delaware's quarterback situation is precarious. Minicucci's injury thrusts an inexperienced group into the spotlight against a Liberty defense that has been among the best in CUSA. Streeter struggled mightily at Virginia, and Trujillo has seen limited action. The potential use of Archield or Bell, neither of whom has taken a college snap, adds further uncertainty. Carty's creativity in mixing quarterbacks could be tested, but the Blue Hens must avoid predictable passing situations to have a chance. The game marks Delaware's first CUSA contest, adding significance to an already challenging matchup.
Originally reported by yahoo.