Coming Off Bye, Delaware Looks For First Road Win At Rhode Island
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Delaware Blue Hens will take to the road on Saturday as they visit Rhode Island in Colonial Athletic Association action.
The Blue Hens are 5-2 (2-1 in the CAA) and coming off a bye week, which head coach Dave Brock says came at a good time.
"We needed certainly to rest up a little bit and heal some bumps and bruises," Brock tells KYW Newsradio. "We're going to be as healthy as we can be going into Rhode Island this week. We had some guys heal up who needed a little bit of a time, and that was a very beneficial opportunity for us. Anytime you can get a bye week and you have five weeks left, I think it benefits you because you do need a little bit of time academically and health wise."
While Delaware has yet to be beaten at home (5-0), they have lost both road games to this point in blowout fashion, albeit to talented teams (51-7 at Navy and 62-28 at Maine).
"We're trying to look at everything and analyze everything," Brock says about the road struggles this season. "I think both trips were good, I don't think its the way we traveled or the way we prepared."
Dave Brock Interview
Brock is confident that they are ready to turn things around away from home.
"If we can go up and play really physical, hard-nosed, tough football and mistake free at Rhode Island, I feel good about our chances," Brock says. "We've got to win on the road, we've got to make sure the players understand that, and I think they do."
As for Rhode Island, they are just 3-5 this season (2-3 in the CAA), but coming off a 12-10 win over Richmond.
"They are a multiple offense," Brock says. "They've got a good quarterback (senior Bob Bentsen) who can keep plays alive. He's a good runner, he can extend plays and he is a solid passer. They've got a real good wide receiver (senior Robbie Jackson)."
Defensively, Brock says their secondary is coming off a great performance against the Spiders.
"The thing they did against Richmond, which was really impressive against a very, very good quarterback, they contested almost every throw (15 pass break-ups)," Brock says. "So they did a great job challenging the ball down the field and making a lot of plays."
Saturday's game in Kingston, Rhode Island, kicks off at noon.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
