# 2003 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team

The 2003 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team was an American football team that represented the University of Delaware as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) during the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their second year under head coach K. C. Keeler, the Fightin' Blue Hens compiled a 15–1 record (8–1 in conference games, outscored opponents by a total of 555 to 247, and tied with UMass for the A-10 championshp. The Fightin' Blue Hens advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, where they defeated Southern Illinois in the first round, Northern Iowa in the quarterfinals, Wofford in the semifinals, and Colgate in the championship game.
The team gained 3,322 rushing yards (207.6 yards per game) and 2,937 passing yards (183.6 yards per game). On defense, they gave up 1,829 rushing yards (114.3 yards per game) and 3,019 passing yards (188.7 yards per game). The team's inividual statistical leaders included:
* Quarterback Andy Hall completed 234 of 378 passes (61.9%) for 2,764 yards with 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He tallied a season-high 283 passing yards against The Citadel.
* Running back Germaine Bennett set a Delaware record with 1,625 rushing yards on 323 carries (5.0 yards per carry) with 21 touchdowns. Bennett also led the team with 126 points scored. He rushed for a season-high 186 yards against Wofford.
* Wide receiver David Boler tallied 60 receptions for 716 yards and nine touchdowns. He had a season-high 121 receiving yards against New Hampshire.
* Middle linebacker Mondoe Davis led the team with 110 total tackles, including 54 solo tackles and 56 assists.
* Placekicker Brad Shushman completed 17 of 24 field goals and 64 of 67 extra points for a total of 115 points.
The team played home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 6 | 7:00 pm | The Citadel* | No. 14 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE | | W 41–7 | 20,612 |
| September 13 | 7:00 pm | Richmond | No. 11 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE | CN8 | W 44–14 | 21,388 |
| September 20 | 7:00 pm | West Chester* | No. 8 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE (rivalry) | | W 49–7 | 21,002 |
| September 27 | 12:30 pm | at Hofstra | No. 7 | James M. Shuart StadiumHempstead, NY | CSTV | W 24–14 | 3,228 |
| October 4 | 7:00 pm | William & Mary | No. 4 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE (rivalry) | | W 41–27 | 20,485 |
| October 11 | 12:00 pm | at New Hampshire | No. 4 | Cowell StadiumDurham, NH | CSN | W 22–21 | 4,815 |
| October 18 | 12:00 pm | Rhode Island | No. 4 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE | | W 55–10 | 20,795 |
| October 25 | 1:30 pm | at Navy* | No. 3 | Navy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, MD | HDNet | W 21–17 | 34,982 |
| November 1 | 1:00 pm | Maine | No. 2 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE | | W 24–21 $^{OT}$ | 22,057 |
| November 8 | 12:30 pm | at Northeastern | No. 2 | Parsons FieldBrookline, MA | | L 14–24 | 4,198 |
| November 15 | 12:20 pm | No. 3 UMass | No. 6 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE | TFN | W 51–45 $^{3OT}$ | 21,804 |
| November 22 | 4:00 pm | at No. 18 Villanova | No. 3 | Villanova StadiumVillanova, PA (Battle of the Blue) | CN8 | W 20–17 | 12,253 |
| November 29 | 1:00 pm | No. 4 Southern Illinois* | No. 3 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE (NCAA Division I-AA First Round) | CSTV | W 48–7 | 14,572 |
| December 6 | 12:00 pm | No. 7 Northern Iowa* | No. 3 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE (NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal) | ESPN Plus | W 37–7 | 11,881 |
| December 13 | 1:00 pm | No. 2 Wofford* | No. 3 | Delaware StadiumNewark, DE (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal) | ESPN2 | W 24–9 | 14,351 |
| December 19 | 7:00 pm | vs. No. 6 Colgate* | No. 3 | Finley StadiumChattanooga, TN (NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game) | ESPN2 | W 40–0 | 14,281 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from The Sports Network Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||||