| MATCHUP | Merrimack Warriors | Delaware Blue Hens |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Spread | +28.5 -105 | -28.5 -115 |
| Moneyline | +3500 | -20000 |
| Total | Over 55.5 (-115) | Under 55.5 (-105) |
| Where | Delaware Stadium, Newark, DE | |
| When | Thursday, September 3, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens Preview
Delaware finished last season with a 7-6 overall record, 4-4 conference record and were placed 7th place of the Conference USA. They had a 5-1 home record and a 1-5 road record (1-0 neutral record).
Offensively the Blue Hens scored 29 points per game last season, which ranked 56th in the nation. Defensively, they allowed 31 points per game, which ranked 116th in the nation. Delaware averaged 411.6 total yards per game last season, with 119.2 average rushing yards and 292.5 average passing yards per game. They allowed 405.3 total yards per game, 159.7 of them rushing and 245.6 passing yards per game.
Nick Minicucci led the Blue Hens with 322/512 completed passes and 3683 total passing yards and had 23 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Jo Silver led the team in rushing yards, with 652, adding a team-high 5 touchdowns, while Sean Wilson had a team-high 68 caught passes for a team-high 877 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Gavin Moul had a team-high 111 total tackles, 50 of them solo, while Keyshawn Hunter led the Blue Hens in sacks, with 3.5.
Merrimack Warriors Preview
Merrimack finished last season with a 4-8 overall record and were placed 3rd place of the NCAA Division I. Offensively, the Warriors scored 20.5 points per game last season, while allowed 24.4 points per game defensively. Merrimack averaged 343.9 total yards per game last season, with 182.9 average rushing yards and 161.0 average passing yards per game. They allowed 369 total yards per game, 166.2 of them rushing and 202.8 passing yards per game.
Ayden Pereira led the Warriors with 159/310 completed passes and 1846 total passing yards and had 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also led the team in rushing yards, with 856, adding a team-high 7 touchdowns, while Seth Sweitzer had a team-high 31 caught passes for a team-high 403 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, DJ Frazier had a team-high 74 total tackles, 47 of them solo, while DJ Frazier led the Warriors in sacks, with 2.0.
Merrimack Warriors @ Delaware Blue Hens Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the Delaware Blue Hens will win
- Delaware has won each of its last three games at Delaware Stadium.
Total Points Facts
- Three of Delaware’s last four games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
Delaware Blue Hens Player Prop Facts
- Nick Minicucci was one of only two players to record 25+ completions in five consecutive appearances last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Delaware recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of five points or less of any FBS team last season (3).
- Delaware recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of three points or less of any FBS team last season (3).
Merrimack vs Delaware Prediction
In this Merrimack vs Delaware Prediction, Delaware is coming as -28.5 home favorites. Merrimack scored just 20.5 points per game in the Division I last season and will face Delaware on the road and an offense that almost cracked the top-50 of the nation. Delaware was also almost perfect at home last season and I highly doubt that we will see an upset in matchup. Take Delaware to get away with a convincing victory in front of their home crowd. Take Delaware and lay the points.