Conference USA extends its streak of consecutive days with a football game to 61 this week, featuring Delaware at Western Kentucky on Tuesday night and Sam Houston State at Missouri State. The Blue Hens enter the matchup riding a 61-38 victory over Missouri State last week, sparked by the return of quarterback Nick Minicucci from injury. Minicucci accounted for six total touchdowns, and Delaware scored on drives of 68, 65, 62, and 55 yards in the first half before adding six more scoring drives in the second half.
With Minicucci healthy, Delaware is 3-2 this season, including a 26-point effort in a loss to Vanderbilt. The Blue Hens were routed 42-3 by Virginia without him and also dropped games to Liberty and Middle Tennessee during his absence. However, Delaware's defense has struggled all season, allowing 6.73 yards per play in conference action while gaining 6.1.
Western Kentucky comes off a bye week and has used two quarterbacks this season. Rodney Tisdale Jr. has a 4-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio but has been sacked 11 times, while Brock Glenn has a 5-to-2 ratio with four sacks but completes just 52.3 percent of his passes. Glenn started the past two games, both wins, though he managed only 127 passing yards and averaged 2.5 yards per carry against Sam Houston State.
The Hilltoppers' offense ranks 127th nationally at 4.89 yards per play, well below the standard typically associated with coach Clay Helton. Defensively, Western Kentucky ranks 111th overall but has allowed just 4.72 yards per play in three conference games after difficult nonconference matchups against Georgia and Indiana.
Despite offensive concerns, the Review-Journal's best bet for Tuesday's slate is Western Kentucky minus 1.5 points, citing the Hilltoppers' defense as the best unit on the field.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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