Fansided

Each state’s nominee for America’s Team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 50
Next
Sep 17, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Delaware Fightin Blue Hens running back Jalen Randolph (33) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Wake defeated Delaware 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Delaware Fightin Blue Hens running back Jalen Randolph (33) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Wake defeated Delaware 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Delaware

Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens football

Are the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens elite? Though recent years have been a struggle for Joe Flacco’s alma mater, the history of the program is tough to top.

The First State’s flagship university began playing football in 1889, and had middling success until William D. Murray arrived on campus in 1940. In his first four years as head coach, Murray led the Blue Hens to a 20-3-1 record. Unfortunately, World War II interrupted Delaware’s run of success, and the football program altogether, until 1946. Nevertheless, Murray and the program returned in 1946, and he led the Hens to a perfect 10-0 record and a victory over Rollins in the Cigar Bowl.

Murray left for Duke in 1951, and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974. Maine head coach David Nelson, who would also go on to the Hall of Fame, replaced him. Nelson won 105 games in 15 years at Delaware, including the 1954 Refrigerator Bowl (the old bowl games really did have the best names). He also brought something with him that changed football forever.

Visit a high school football stadium anywhere in the country on a Friday night and there’s a good chance you’ll see the Wing T in action. Nelson is known as the father of the Wing T, and his successor, Tubby Raymond, wrote the book on the offense – literally – and used it to win 300 games and three national championships in 35 years as the head coach of the Fightin’ Blue Hens.

Raymond was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003, the same year the Blue Hens won the NCAA Division 1-AA national championship (the sixth national title in Delaware history) under K.C. Keeler, finishing 15-1 after a dominant 40-0 victory over Colgate in the title game.

Home/College Football