DATE: January 24, 2001

2001 Delaware Football Schedule (All times are tentative) Date Opponent Site Time Aug. 30 *Rhode Island Home 7 p.m. Sept. 8 Georgia Southern Away 1 p.m. Sept. 15 West Chester (Freshman Parents Day) Home 7 p.m. Sept. 22 *Massachusetts (Band Day/Youth Day) Home 7 p.m. Sept. 29 *Northeastern Away tba Oct. 6 *New Hampshire Away tba Oct. 13 *Hofstra (Homecoming) Home 12 noon Oct. 20 *William & Mary (Parents Day) Home 1 p.m. Oct. 27 Open - - Nov. 3 *James Madison Away 3 p.m. Nov. 10 *Richmond Home 1 p.m. Nov. 17 * Villanova Away 1 p.m. *=Atlantic 10 Conference Opponents

NEWARK, DE -- Three teams that advanced to last year's NCAA I-AA playoffs, including two-time defending national champion Georgia Southern, and three home night games highlight the 2001 University of Delaware football schedule announced today by UD Director of Athletics Edgar Johnson.

The Blue Hens are coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history in 2000. The Blue Hens posted a record of 12-2, shared the Atlantic 10 Conference title with Richmond, and advanced to the NCAA I-AA semifinals for the first time since 1997 before falling to Georgia Southern 27-18 at Delaware Stadium.

Head coach Tubby Raymond will enter his 36th season at the helm of the Blue Hens needing four wins to become just the eighth coach in college football history to reach 300 victories. Delaware returns seven offensive starters, seven defensive starters, and both kickers for the 2001 season.

Delaware will play nine Atlantic 10 conference opponents in 2001, including Hofstra University, a former I-AA power as an independent which joins the league this fall after advancing to the NCAA I-AA quarterfinals a year ago. The Blue Hens' non-league slate includes a first-ever regular season game vs. Georgia Southern and the continuation of Delaware's most played rivalry with West Chester. The Hens and Rams will play for the 43rd time and for the 34th straight year.

The 2001 season kicks off with one of three night games slated for Delaware Stadium this fall. Delaware will host Rhode Island in a Thursday night game, Aug. 30, for the sixth night game in Delaware Stadium history. Delaware will also host West Chester for Freshman Parents Night Sept. 15 and Massachusetts Sept. 22 under the lights. All three night games will begin at 7 p.m.

Other home games include an Oct. 13 Homecoming meeting with Hofstra at 12 noon; an Oct. 20 game vs. William & Mary for Parents Day at 1 p.m.; and a Nov. 10 meeting with 2000 Atlantic 10 co-champion ands NCAA quarterfinalist Richmond at 1 p.m.

The Hens' will open their road schedule Sept. 8 with their first-ever trip to Statesboro, GA where the Hens will take on Adrian Peterson and the two-time defending I-AA champion Georgia Southern Eagles. Other road games include back-to-back trips to New England Sept. 29 at Northeastern and Oct. 6 game at New Hampshire; a Nov. 3 visit to James Madison; and the regular season finale Nov. 17 at rival Villanova.

Ticket information for the 2001 season will be announced in the spring.