2008 Blue Hens No Longer Fightin'

After dropping three consecutive games against winnable opponents, the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens simply have no fight left.

Starting the season with a 2-2 record, Delaware was considered a favorite in the CAA to clinch a second consecutive playoff berth. Last season's squad posted an 8-3 regular season record on the strength of eventual first round NFL draft pick, QB Joe Flacco, and record-setting FCS RB Omar Cuff. With a loss in the FCS National Championship game, head coach K.C. Keeler was expected to field a Blue Hens team, on paper, capable of going over the championship hump.

However, games are not decided on paper, and championships are not won in writing.

NO JOE FLACCO

With Ohio State transfer Robby Schoenhoft under center, the only resemblance this team has to a Joe Flacco-led squad this season is the number of wins that both quarterbacks' teams currently have (two). The big difference? Flacco's Baltimore Ravens are still realistically in playoff contention, while Schoenhoft's Blue Hens are all but eliminated from the postseason picture.

LOSSES ON TOP OF LOSSES

A 2-5 mark with five remaining games is not the only issue the Blue Hens have to contend with. This week, backup freshman QB Lou Ritacco was lost for the season after sustaining an eye injury that may require surgery. In the same week, LB Walter Blair and S Anthony Walters were each handed one-game suspensions after an off-campus incident involving police. Additionally, one of the team's captains, WR Kervin Michaud, was lost for the year and his college career after sustaining a broken collarbone earlier in the season; this injury followed the season-ending injury to S Anthony Bratton the week prior.

After dropping three straight games and losing so many players to injury and suspensions, could things have gotten any worse? Absolutely; following the 27-3 Homecoming loss to William & Mary, Delaware will be without the services of starting QB Robby Schoenhoft after sustaining a mild concussion in the closing minutes of the game. Third-string QB Sean Hakes, a transfer from Akron, will get his first start on the road against Hofstra.

WHAT NEXT?

After this Saturday's road meeting against Hofstra, the season does not get any easier for the Blue Hens. Delaware travels to James Madison the following week, before receiving a brief respite at home against Towson. However, the bleeding does not stop, as a road game against Richmond precedes the annual Battle of the Blue game against Villanova.

With an outlook this bleak, the powers that be, may be regretting K.C. Keeler's 10-year contract extension awarded before the start of this season.