The Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens (7-6) took on the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (6-7) on Wednesday night in the 68 Ventures Bowl from Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Delaware dominated the game for three quarters, leading 20-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Lunch Winfield threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Shelton Sampson Jr. to make it 20-13. In the final minute, Louisiana-Lafayette’s offense moved the ball to the seven-yard line. On the final play of the game, Winfield’s pass intended for Caden Jensen was incomplete. The Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens held on to beat the Ragin’ Cajuns 20-13 for their first bowl win in program history.
Delaware’s offense had 334 yards (176 yards passing, 158 yards rushing), 16 first downs, and the team was penalized two times for 29 yards. Quarterback Nick Minicucci completed 19 of 30 passes (63%) for 176 yards, one touchdown, and six carries for four yards.
Running back Jo Silver had 14 carries for 116 yards, one rushing touchdown, and one catch for two yards. Wide receiver Sean Wilson made eight catches for 81 yards and one touchdown, while Kyre Duplessis made five catches for 69 yards.
Kicker Nate Reed made 2 of 3 field goals (66%) with a long of 33 yards. The defense made 64 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
Louisiana-Lafayette’s offense had 335 yards (231 yards passing, 104 yards rushing), 20 first downs, and the team was penalized one time for five yards. Quarterback Lunch Winfield completed 21 of 36 passes (58.3%) for 231 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and 14 carries for 40 yards.
Running back Zylan Perry had 10 carries for 25 yards and three catches for 22 yards. Tight end Caden Jensen made four catches for 72 yards, while Shelton Sampson Jr. made three catches for 42 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Tony Sterner made 2 of 3 field goals (66%) with a long of 39 yards. The defense made 53 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and four pass breakups.
