QB Nick Minicucci heads list of key Blue Hens in 68 Ventures Bowl
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Nick Minicucci didn’t take the first snap at quarterback when Delaware opened its football season.
But he’s taken most since and will likely take the last.
The Blue Hens will be banking on that improving their chances in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Dec. 17.
Minicucci’s rise to national prominence has been among the highlights of Delaware’s first year as a Conference USA member in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.
That season culminates at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, on Dec. 17 when Delaware and Louisiana match 6-6 records in their bowl duel. Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Minicucci was nosed out by the more experienced Zach Marker for the starting job in preseason camp, but stepped in when Marker suffered a season-ending knee injury on the first play of the Blue Hens’ second possession in the opener against Delaware State.
Considering Minicucci had started games for Delaware in 2023 and 2024, he was expected to be up to the task.
“It’s definitely easier to get comfortable, knowing you’re the guy that week, week in and week out,” Minicucci said before Delaware’s 61-31 win over Texas-El Paso in the regular-season finale Nov. 29.
“It’s 10 straight [starts] for me so far. It’s been great. I’m just super comfortable now.”
He has proven to be the ideal conductor for coach Ryan Carty’s spread offense, which requires expert decision-making, frequent passes thrown to a myriad of targets and a quarterback who can scramble and run.
“We were certainly comfortable and ready for if Nick had to go in there, we were going to put him in there,” Carty said, “and he was gonna go be great. We knew that.”
Miniucci heads this list of players who’ll be particularly imperative to Delaware’s success against Louisiana:
Nick Minicucci, QB
Minicucci was voted second-team All-CUSA after leading the league in several categories, including passing yards (3,507), in which he is No. 4 nationally, and total offense (3,738), sixth best in FBS. He also ran for 10 TDs, becoming the first Blue Hens quarterback to do that along with throwing for 20 or more TDs since Tom DiMuzio in 1969. A smart, effort-free game by Minicucci greatly boosts the Hens’ chances.
Sean Wilson, WR
Delaware sensed it had something special in Wilson when he wowed coaches as a freshman in 2024, while seeing limited game action to preserve his year of eligibility. His speed and pass-catching skills have keyed Delaware this year, in tandem with Coastal Carolina transfer Kyre Duplessis, a savvy portal find for the Hens. Wilson’s 60 catches for 796 yards lead the team and are both top-four in CUSA, and he became the first Blue Hen with three straight 100-yard receiving games since Aaron Love in 2006.
Fintan Brose, OL
The versatile Brose, who started 10 games at guard and two at center this year and has also played tackle, red-shirted last year so he could be part of Delaware’s FBS debut. The Hens have been better for it, and Brose’s first-team All-CUSA recognition is an apt reward. Brose, who allowed just two sacks all year, and his linemates will have to be at their collective best against the Ragin’ Cajuns in both pass protection and run blocking.
Gavin Moul, LB
Moul embodies the determined football spirit and willingness to enter the fray that often characterizes players from the Pittsburgh area. He was an FCS recruit who has proven to be quite capable at the FBS level. His 103 tackles are third most in Conference USA and he’s going to need to make quite a few while being in the right place at the right time against Louisiana’s run-oriented attack.
KT Seay, S
Seay has long been one of Delaware’s most FBS-ready players and he certainly proved that while making first-team All-CUSA. Delaware will need his playmaking ability, which put Seay in position to intercept three passes and make 84 tackles, 11th most in the league, this year. Seay will likely encounter situations against Louisiana where it will be up to him to make a solo tackle in open space to thwart a ball carrier or receiver and ensure that a short gain is not a long gain.
Nate Reed, K
Numerous Delaware games came down to late kicks this season with Reed experiencing both giddy highs, such as the 51-yard field goal that beat Louisiana Tech, and the bitter disappointment of late misses. The Division II East Stroudsburg transfer, always a weapon with his long kickoffs, greatly improved his range and reliability in field-goal kicking this year and also was particularly adept with his three successful onside kicks. It would be no surprise if this game came down to Reed again having to make a big kick and he has certainly earned the Blue Hens’ trust.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: QB Nick Minicucci leads Blue Hens in 68 Ventures Bowl matchup
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