NEWARK, DE (Sept. 16, 2007) -- University of Delaware senior quarterback Joe Flacco has the whole campus smiling after this week’s performance.

Flacco led the No. 10 ranked Fightin’ Blue Hens in a 38-9 dismantling of the Rhode Island Rams on a crisp fall afternoon at Tubby Raymond Field. His performance in the Hens’ Colonial Athletic Association victory has made him this week’s Wilmington Trust Best of the Blue Hens Athlete of the Week for the period ending September 16.

Playing to a sell out crowd is nothing new for the veteran, but that doesn’t mean that it gets old. Flacco gave the UD faithful a nod of approval saying,  “It’s a ton of fun to play to a packed house. If I were on any other team in the conference I would want to play every game at Delaware stadium. That feeling when you come out of the tunnel to a packed student section…you just can’t beat it.”

It’s hard to imagine any fan base that wouldn’t want to watch their offense produce 434 yards and four touchdowns. Flacco credits the defense for getting the ball rolling, saying, “The defense did such a good job in the first half. They kept us [the offense] off the field for most of it. We had that one safety and needed to get focused in the second half, but it’s so easy talking to these guys. The receivers know what do. All of us are focused. We all have the same goal and want go out there and execute it.”

Flacco was consistent all afternoon, completing 25 of 39 of his air attempts for a total of 337 yards and three touchdowns.

A smile comes across the 6-6 Audobon, NJ native’s face when the success of the passing attack is mentioned.

“It’s nice to be able to put it in from the 15,” Flacco said.

Receivers Aaron Love, Mark Duncan and Mark Mackey all scored on 15, 13 and 2-yard touchdown passes, respectively.

So what does Joe Flacco think about being the starting quarterback on a 3-0 nationally ranked football squad?

“People always think when you’re the starting quarterback of a football team you get treated differently, but I’m in a helmet all night. Half the time they don’t know who I am or recognize me. For the most part, I try to fly under the radar," he said.

If this weeks’ performance is any indication of how this season is going to go, flying under the radar will be increasingly difficult for Flacco to do. He has tallied 844 yards passing and 4 total touchdowns on the season thus far. On top of those strong numbers, his passing rating of 170.35 ranks fifth in the nation.

Flacco and the Hens will travel to Towson this Saturday, September 22nd for a 7 p.m. match-up at Johnny Unitas Stadium.  

Past Winners:

2007-08 Season
Sept. 16 - Joe Flacco (Football)
Sept. 9 - Jason Bernstein (Golf)
Sept. 2 - Casey Howard (Field Hockey)
Aug. 26 - Stephanie Barry (Volleyball)

2006-07 Season
Jan. 30 - Asha Quant (Women's Indoor Track)
Feb. 4 - Kyle DeHaven (Women's Basketball)
Feb. 11 - Sam McMahon (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 18 - Maryann Walker (Women's Swimming)
Feb. 25 - Adam Zuder-Havens (Men's Lacrosse)
Mar. 2 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Indoor Track)
Mar. 12 - Debbie Sloan (Women's Lacrosse)
Mar. 19 - Tyresa Smith (Women's Basketball)
Mar. 26 - Joe McLister (Golf)
Apr. 2 - Carolynn Sloat (Softball)
Apr. 9 - Bryan Hagerich (Baseball)
Apr. 16 - Alexi Capsouras (Women's Outdoor Track)
Apr. 23 - Jared Wasser (Men's Outdoor Track)
Apr. 30 - Alex Smith (Men's Lacrosse)
May 7 - David Slovak (Baseball)
May 14 - Tommy Scherr (Men's Lacrosse)
May 21 - Dan Deckelbaum (Men's Lacrosse)
May 28 - Mike McGuire (Baseball)