File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware football head coach K.C. Keeler came away optimistic after the Blue Hens took part in their first scrimmage of the pre-season Sunday afternoon before approximately 300 fans at sunny Delaware Stadium.

The Blue Hens, who opened camp last Saturday, scrimmaged for over two hours and took part in approximately 100 plays in addition to working on kickoff returns, punt coverage, field goals, and a two-minute drills.

“I was really happy with the way we competed today,” said Keeler, who will open his eighth season Sept. 4 when the Blue Hens host West Chester at Delaware Stadium. “We are still in a race against time to get closer to where we want to be for the opener, but the competition was keen. We saw some good hitting out there today and I’m anxious to see the films to see who played well. We’ll move on from there.

Delaware will return to practice Monday morning at 8:15 p.m. The next scrimmage is scheduled for this Friday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. at Delaware Stadium.

Junior quarterback Pat Devlin, a first-year transfer from Penn State who is expected to start the Hens’ opener, looked sharp in the scrimmage, hooking up early with senior wide receiver and senior tight end Josh Baker (at right) for long gains and later tossing touchdown passes to Mark Mackey, Duncan, Baker, and Mark Schenauer.

Junior Sean Hakes and true freshmen Trevor Sasek and Tim Donnelly also saw action at quarterback with Sasek tossing a touchdown pass to fellow freshman Mike Milburn.

The Hens closed out the scrimmage with a two-minute drill engineered by Devlin that results in kickers Jon Striefsky and Patrick Murray each converting field goals from 37 yards out.