University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Jim Stiehl
10/26/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
FORT WORTH, Texas – University of Delaware football QB Nick Minicucci has been named to the Davey O'Brien Great 8 for Week 8, the Davey O'Brien Foundation announced Monday. By making the Great 8, Minicucci qualified for the Davey O'Brien Award Midseason Watchlist. The Midland Park, N.J. native became the first player in program history to make the Davey O'Brien Award Watchlist this preseason. Last season, Minicucci found himself in the Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2025 after not appearing on the watchlist.
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.
Minicucci was firing on all cylinders in UD's 61-38 win over Missouri State as he returned after missing two games due to injury. Minicucci matched the UD single-game record with five passing touchdowns, going 20-for-29 through the air for 225 yards. He added a rushing score to tie his career-best six total touchdowns in a game. The Blue & Gold scored on nine-straight drives and 10-of-11 overall, not including the two drives that ended in kneel downs to conclude the second and fourth quarters. UD scored 30-unanswered points in the second half before MSU's field goal. Minicucci's 225 passing yards in the game moves him to 6,045 for his career, passing former NFL MVP Rich Gannon for sixth on the Delaware all-time career passing yards list. Minicucci's five passing touchdowns in the game moves him to 48 for his career, passing Bill Vergantino for third on the Delaware all-time career passing touchdowns list. Minicucci surpassed the 200-passing yard mark for the 16th time in his career, matching Pat Devlin for fourth most by a Blue Hen.
This season, the senior signal caller has been named to the Davey O'Brien Award Watchlist, Manning Award Watchlist, Maxwell Award Watchlist, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watchlist, CUSA Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA Second Team, Pro Football Network All-CUSA First Team, a HERO Sports Group of Six All-American, and the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware football tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
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For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.
Minicucci was firing on all cylinders in UD's 61-38 win over Missouri State as he returned after missing two games due to injury. Minicucci matched the UD single-game record with five passing touchdowns, going 20-for-29 through the air for 225 yards. He added a rushing score to tie his career-best six total touchdowns in a game. The Blue & Gold scored on nine-straight drives and 10-of-11 overall, not including the two drives that ended in kneel downs to conclude the second and fourth quarters. UD scored 30-unanswered points in the second half before MSU's field goal. Minicucci's 225 passing yards in the game moves him to 6,045 for his career, passing former NFL MVP Rich Gannon for sixth on the Delaware all-time career passing yards list. Minicucci's five passing touchdowns in the game moves him to 48 for his career, passing Bill Vergantino for third on the Delaware all-time career passing touchdowns list. Minicucci surpassed the 200-passing yard mark for the 16th time in his career, matching Pat Devlin for fourth most by a Blue Hen.
This season, the senior signal caller has been named to the Davey O'Brien Award Watchlist, Manning Award Watchlist, Maxwell Award Watchlist, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watchlist, CUSA Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA Second Team, Pro Football Network All-CUSA First Team, a HERO Sports Group of Six All-American, and the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware football tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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