Delaware at Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — Virginia returns home to Scott Stadium to host Delaware on Saturday in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game, with both teams carrying 2-1 records into the matchup. The Cavaliers are the home team, and the Blue Hens are the visiting team. The forecast at game time calls for 67 degrees.
Virginia has scored at least 27 points in each of its first three games, while Delaware has reached 22 points in two of three. The Cavaliers allowed 38 points last time out after yielding 3 and 8 in their first two games. The Blue Hens have allowed 14 points or fewer in two of three.
Virginia will look to rebound from a 38-27 home loss to West Virginia last time out. Quarterback Beau Pribula completed 21 of 33 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns in that game. Earlier this season, he completed 12 of 14 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns in a 59-3 win over Norfolk State. The Cavaliers also own a 34-8 win over North Carolina State. In the most recent game, Jekail Middlebrook rushed 17 times for 75 yards and added two receptions for 1 yard while scoring twice. Xavier Brown rushed eight times for 71 yards and caught one pass for no yards with a touchdown.
Delaware enters after a 22-14 win over Coastal Carolina. Nick Minicucci completed 24 of 32 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 10 yards on five carries. Viron Ellison Jr. rushed six times for 30 yards, and Jo Silver rushed 11 times for 28 yards and caught two passes for 10 yards and a touchdown. Delaware’s other results include a 35-26 loss at Vanderbilt and a 42-7 win over Merrimack.
The Blue Hens will lean on Minicucci, who has been efficient and productive in the passing game. The Cavaliers counter with Pribula, who has thrown for multiple touchdowns in each of his recent outings. Virginia’s offense also has shown balance with Middlebrook and Brown contributing in the running game. Delaware has mixed Minicucci’s passing with a committee approach in the backfield, using Ellison and Silver to complement the aerial attack.
Virginia is scheduled to visit Florida State next, while Delaware is scheduled to host Liberty. Both teams will aim to improve to 3-1 before moving deeper into their respective schedules.
Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Virginia 29, Delaware 12. Interstat’s ELO system gives Virginia a 91 percent probability to win. Delaware has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +19.5, and the over/under is 52.5.