In a nail-biter that had fans on edge until the final seconds, Western Kentucky pulled out a hard-fought 27-24 victory against Delaware on Friday night at Delaware Stadium. The Hilltoppers, now 5-1 overall and a perfect 3-0 in Conference USA play, managed to hold off a determined Blue Hens squad that refused to go down without a fight. Attendance hit 19,716, with the game airing nationally, drawing eyes to this early conference showdown.
Delaware came out strong, outgaining WKU 435 yards to 338 in total offense, but two crucial turnovers in the third quarter shifted the momentum decisively. The Hilltoppers capitalized, scoring 17 points in that frame to build a 27-17 lead with just 38 seconds left before the fourth. Nick Minicucci's three touchdown runs kept Delaware in it, closing the gap to 27-24 late, but Nate Reed's game-tying field goal attempt sailed wide right as time expired. Indeed, it was a disappointing finish for the Hens, who slipped to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in league action.
WKU's defense stepped up when it mattered most, forcing those turnovers that proved pivotal. However, the Hilltoppers' own execution wasn't flawless—penalties and missed opportunities dotted the stat sheet. Delaware, in their first home CUSA game, showed they can hang with the FBS level, yet those self-inflicted wounds stung. Moreover, Minicucci's mobility highlighted the Blue Hens' potential, even as the loss exposed areas needing quick fixes.
The win keeps Western Kentucky atop the conference standings, but it wasn't the dominant performance some expected after their recent streak. For Delaware, it's back to the drawing board, with tougher tests ahead. One can't help but wonder how these close calls might shape both teams' seasons moving forward.