The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware • Page 24

www.delawareonline.com C6 THE NEWS JOURNAL TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2007 "I have a cousin who played football "The First State is my state and "There's not a choice now for either institution whether to play or not to The fans speak "I've never seen students willing to 'It's a good idea. It should be used as ss -r-. a showcase to put anything that first, like this game with two teams from Delaware, is going to be the best." Aiissaton Christie, pr uu ana have friends who are DSU alumni, so it's a tough call, but I think UD is going to win." Michael Watkins, 25, a Wilmington play, but records and the way the draw was made has changed that altogether. Opportunity knocks in a strange way, and we have to take advantage of it pay that much (or a ticket, ever. I have to work Friday, but as soon as I get off of work, I'll be tuning in to ESPN and watching the Delaware out there more to help put both schools on the map." Richie King, 20, an iron worker from Christiana 4 1 Clean and Safe Team employee from Wilmington merchandising employee from Wilmington when it occurs." Don Blakey, of Dover, director of theatre and dance at Delaware State This isn't history, it a football game It will finally happen on Friday afternoon, and when that moment comes at last, there will be no more talk, just action.

After the kickoff, it won't matter that Delaware and Delaware State had never played each other in football, and it won't matter why they hadn't played. What will matter is that two groups of motivated young men are playing in the biggest game of their lives in front of a large crowd and a national television audience. That should be enough. The NCAA said it matched the Blue Hens and Hornets in the first round of the Division I-AA playoffs because of their proximity. But history, not geography, is game andyelling, 'Go Chinaemerem Onuegbu of Upper Marlboro, Md.

reported by Adam Taylor and Mike Finney; photos by Fred Comegis and Scott Nathan Lavan, Keeler hope to keep game going TSN I-AA POLL why ESPN decided to make this the only I-AA playoff game on its main net- work this week-J Jf end. There are tt 1 other first-round Record PtsPvs 1. Northern Iowa (97) U-0 2,650 1 2. Montana (10) U-0 2,494 3 3. McNeeseState(5) U-0 2,482 4 4.

Southern Illinois 10-1 2,329 5 5. Appalachian State 9-2 2,200 6 6. Richmond 9-2 2,067 7 7. Massachusetts 9-2 1,992 8 8. North Dakota Stated) 10-1 1880 2 9.

Eastern Kentucky 9-2 1,653 12 10. Delaware State 10-1 1,611 10 lLWofford 8-3 1,590 13 12. James Madison 8-3 1,449 14 B.Delaware 8-3 1,272 9 14. Eastern Washington 8-3 1,229 14 15. Youngstown State 7-4 930 17 16.

Grambling State 8-2 841 19 17. New Hampshire 7-4 816 20 18. Eastern Illinois 8-3 747 21 19. Georgia Southern 7-4 698 16 20. Yale 9-1 630 11 21.

South Dakota State 7-4 488 NR 22. Harvard 8-2 423 NR 23 Elon 7-4 414 24 24CalPoly 7-4 331 25 25.Fordham 8-3 260 18 KEVIN NOONAN COMMENTARY games that are expected to be more competitive, but none has the compelling storyline of Hens vs. Hornets. So, you know the pregame show will highlight Delaware's refusal to play Delaware State over the decades, including the racial aspect that once was a main reason why the Hens snubbed the Hornets. You know it will focus on the differences between the two schools and their communities rather than the similarities, which in this case is two nationally ranked teams that had a terrific season and earned their way into the playoffs.

There's been some mild trash-talking from players on both teams. But their coaches will stomp on that kind of stuff quickly, because they want their kids concentrating on execution, not elocution. But there will be no escaping the hype, and it will build and build over the next few days. Naturally, we here at your friendly neighborhood News Journal will do our best to bring you everything you want to know about the Big Game, and maybe some things you don't. But Friday finally will arrive, and then the focus will be where it belongs.

This is not a sociological experiment it's a football game. This is not a class andor race issue it's a football game. This is not about showing somebody up or proving some By KEVIN TRESOLINI and KRISTIAN POPE The News Journal Coaches K.C. Keeler of Delaware and Al Lavan of Delaware State expressed hope Monday that their teams' NCAA playoff meeting Friday could set the stage for future regular-season football games between the schools. Keeler repeated his comments from earlier this fall that playing DSU fits in with his vision of facing more I-AA opposition at home.

"It opens up a positive dialogue about why we have to continue to play each other," Keeler said. "This game just makes too much sense." Keeler said Delaware doesn't need to schedule games against I-A opponents to make money, even though it has Maryland on its 2008 schedule and Navy aboard in 2009 and 2010. He also questioned the benefit of playing a Division II foe. Delaware has scheduled West Chester annually since 1968, an approach Keeler has steadfastly endorsed. "If the goal of the program is to get in the playoffs, you need to get more I-AA opponents," Keeler said.

"Delaware State's a great I-AA opponent. It just makes a lot of sense to play them." Lavan, while noting he had no personal stake in the issue, also believes the playoff game could light a spark. "I have nothing in it, except that I believe that every student, on both sides of the aisle, should have their day because it's their game," he said. "Now that we're going to play, I think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread." Friday's game is the first between the schools in football. UD's schedule is nearly complete through 2011.

UD and DSU officials had planned to discuss scheduling future regular-season games after this season. "I've always believed the game is a game for the students and the kids that play in the games, the alums, the region, the community and the state," Lavan said. "For me, nothing else really matters. It is so simple in my mind. If you want all of this to happen, it is going to happen." Fast friends Keeler, sensing his team would be playoff-bound whether or not it beat Vil- The News JoumalGARY EMEIGH Delaware State defensive lineman Ronn Spinner Jr.

sacks Howard quarterback Brian Johnson on Saturday in the Hornets' 29-D victory that capped a 10-1 season, 8-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Offense: DSU's speed a concern Others receiving votes: Villanova 238, Norfolk State 186, The Citadel 132, Dayton 100, Hof-stra 84, Liberty 8L Albany 74, Western Illinois 6L Alabama 38, South Carolina State 36, Sam Houston State 33, Prairie View 27, Furman 26, San Diego 14, Hampton 12, Southern 9, Holy Cross 6, Nicholls State 5, Colgate 4, Lafayette lanova last Saturday, said Monday he reached out to Lavan last week to discuss a videotape exchange to scout one another's teams. It was the first time they had even spoken. "We've never met, but I called him last Wednesday," Keeler said. "I told him, 'I don't know why we haven't played before; it makes Lavan said it's just a coincidence the two have not met, but he was looking forward to meeting Keeler.

"It's a new thing," Lavan said. "I'm sure we'll meet before the game." McBride takes a break Delaware State senior receiver Shaheer McBride was held out of practice Monday to rest a sore right ankle injured two weeks ago against Norfolk State. He saw his playing time decrease in last Saturday's win over Howard. Then, he was used on a red-zone play because Lavan saw a favorable formation. McBride came up limping after trying to make a leaping catch.

Of the team's 27 touchdowns, McBride has nine. He has caught 47 passes for 583 yards. "I'm all right," said McBride, who tied John Taylor's DSU record for career receiving TDs this season with 33. "This is a big game." execution. I really think that offense is going to take a deep breath and be fine." The Delaware State defense's trademark is its speed, which UD slot receiver Kervin Michaud quickly noticed during videotape study.

"They move around," he said. "They get around. We just have to mix it up, pass, run, and try to make them keep guessing." Delaware fooled itself at Villanova with its uncharacteristic performance, which the Hens attributed to Villanova's keen preparation and inspired play. They don't expect to suffer the same fate Friday at Delaware Stadium. "This is going to sound crazy, but we played with too much emotion offensively," Keeler said.

"You can see we're throwing our bodies around offensively, our technique is bad, our mechanics are bad, just the fundamentals we've been working with all year. It kind of went out the window because of the emotion of playing in a rivalry game and knowing you can lock up your playoff spot. "We will not play like that ever again offensively. I just think there's too much senior leadership there. I think they learned from that poor performance." Contact Kevin Tresolini at 324-2804 or ktresolinidelawaTeonline.com.

FROM PAGE CI doing. We had bodies on bodies and we were running the right routes and those kinds of things. For how well we've played all season long offensively, that's how poorly we played last week, and at every position, except probably the running back position." Quarterback Joe Flacco was sacked three times and frequently harassed and hurried. He had fewer than 200 yards passing for the first time this season. Several of his passes were dropped.

Cuff, who against Villanova still was feeling the effects of his UD-record 48 carries the previous game against Richmond, is averaging 124.4 yards rushing per game, 11th in I-AA. Flacco's 289.5 passing yards per game ranks fifth in the nation. That run-pass combination, buoyed by a veteran front line and a strong ensemble of tight ends and wide receivers, "makes for a very challenging day for anybody that would be against them," DSU coach Al Lavan said. "It will be that way for us on Friday." Delaware's mistake against Villanova, Keeler said, was not making the Wildcats suffer for their gambles, such as frequent blitzes that left receivers open. "If we make them pay, it's a different ball-game, and we didn't," Keeler said.

"It's called Tickets: Delaware to make another 400 available at DSU body wrong it's a football game. And even though it's significant, it's not history. Gettysburg was history. Kitty Hawk was history. This is just a football game, albeit an important one.

But it's important not because they didn't play each other in the past, but because they want to keep playing in the future, namely next week's quarterfinals. That's enough pressure on those young shoulders without piling on a controversial issue they probably didn't even know about until recently. Most of the players on both teams are from out of state, and they're shaking their heads over all the fuss. That's worth remembering, because the people who play the game are more important than the people who watch it. The players are the ones who sweated through training camp in August and slogged their way through countless practices, week after week, month after month.

And the players are the ones who won the games that got them here. The fans and the media have their roles, too, and not all the hype is bad or misdirected. Part of the fun of any big event is the anticipation, and part of that is debating which team is better, etc. Emotions get stirred up, and that, too, is part of being a fan. The special circumstances of this showdown stir them up even more.

But there is a difference between emotional and irrational. So, keep it civil and focused. We've waited a long time for this, so let's enjoy it for what it is instead of twisting it into something it isn't. Contact columnist Kevin Noonan at knoonandelawareonline.com. 1 1 a 4 That's why some Delaware State fans went to Newark to buy tickets, while some UD fans who live downstate went to Delaware State for tickets.

Fans also went online to purchase whatever they could from Tick-etmaster. There are many fans who are waiting anxiously for the season-ticket holders' deadline to pass, so they can snap up whatever seats are remaining. "I guess I've got to be either camping out here, or calling Ticketmaster," Newark resident Mike Willis said. "I've been looking forward to this game for years. I want to be there when it finally happens." It seems as if he's not alone.

Stalf reporter Mike Finney contributed to this story. Contact Martin Frank at 324-2805 or mranfedelawareonine.com. imum of 500 tickets be given to the opposing school. Delaware State asked for more, and Delaware agreed. The Delaware State tickets sold out in about an hour Monday morning at the Martin Luther King Jr.

Student Center. UD will make another 400 available to Delaware State today. They will go on sale at the King Center beginning at 9 a.m., or by calling (866) 378-2845, or by going to www.dsuhornets.com. Jill McKinney, a Dover resident who teaches at Delaware State, tried to get tickets Monday morning, but was too late. "I will dress up like the stinging hornet mascot to get into this game," she said with a laugh.

"This is an historical event. UD has been ducking Delaware State forever. They should have played them a long time ago." FROM PAGE CI But Curt Krouse, UD assistant athletic director for marketing, said demand for tickets on the first day has been "brisker than usual." Typically, more than 50 percent of UD season-ticket holders buy tickets for the first round. There's a good chance that percentage will be higher this year, even though the game is taking place the day after Thanksgiving. "It's just because the game is so special," Krouse said.

"This is a game that's never been played, between two teams that are so close to each other, so it's a special situation." That was evident in Dover, too. UD allotted 1,900 tickets to Delaware State, which is more than it typically gives an opponent. The NCAA requires a min It The News JournalROBERT CRAIG Tammy Jackson (back to camera), the Bob Carpenter Center ticket manager, tells people who are waiting for tickets that more should be available after the season-ticket holder deadline at 6 p.m. Wednesday. It's finally UD vs.

DSU, but don't forget Wesley DIVISION III: MUHLENBERG AT WESLEY NOON SATURDAY Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Delaware Stadium in Newark. He just hopes that everybody remembers his Wolverines will resume their chase for a Division III title the next day in Dover. After all, Wesley has reached the tournament semifinals the past two seasons. "That's pretty interesting that Delaware-Delaware State is happening on a Friday afternoon and everybody will be able to watch the game," Drass said.

"Hopefully, everyone will see a great game between Delaware and Delaware State and then come and see our game. "We know we're the third wheel this week. We don't Newark, and they're excited about it." Newman stressed that he has no regrets about transferring. "I'm having fun here," he said. "We're advancing to the second round, so we've got our hands full this week but, hopefully, we can do all right." Unlike Drass, Newman has a favorite Friday.

"Of course, I'm pulling for Delaware," he said. "I still have so many friends up there. I hope it's a good game." On Saturday, the Wolverines hope everyone will pull for them. Contact Mite Finney at 734-7945 or mfinneydelawareonline.com. By MIKE FINNEY The News Journal DOVER Wesley College would like to remind fans in Delaware that there will be another big football game this weekend besides the long-anticipated Delaware-Delaware State matchup.

The Wolverines (10-1) are still alive in the NCAA Division III Football Tournament and will face Muhlenberg (Pa.) (11-0) in the tourney's second round at Wesley's Scott D. Miller Stadium on Saturday at noon. Wesley coach Mike Drass realizes the significance of the Delaware-Delaware State game, PLAYER CLEARED Dover police have dropped drug charges against Wesley College junior tight end Jon Lanouette. Last week, Lanouette, a Newark High graduate, was among three men arrested for marijuana offenses in a home they share near the campus. The Dover Police Department dropped charges against Lanouette after interviewing him following his arresL Therefore, Lanouette was eligible for Wesley's 45-17 playoff victory over Hampden-Sydney (Va.) in Saturday's first round of the NCAA Division III Football Tournament Mike Finney trip to Friday's game.

If they can't get there in person, they will watch it on TV. One member of the Wolverines who has some insight into the Delaware-Delaware State game is Blair Newman, who transferred to Wesley this season after spending a couple of years with the Blue Hens. "It's exciting," said Newman, a Caesar Rodney graduate. "We're doing good things at Wesley, and it's fun and exciting that Delaware and DelState are finally getting to play. I've talked to some of my friends in mind being the red-headed stepchild this week.

We just don't want to be in that role every week." Drass played it safe and veered away from picking a favorite in the Delaware-Delaware State game. "I have friends on both staffs and I respect both of those teams more than anything," Drass said. "They have always been positive to us, so I'm standing on the 50-yard line on this one. I'm in the middle." Drass and his assistant coaches are trying to arrange a.