The Hilltoppers made noise in the henhouse with a second-half comeback fueled by two crucial third-quarter turnovers Friday night to beat the Delaware Blue Hens 27-24.
Despite Delaware leading 17-10 going into halftime, the Hilltoppers rallied, outscoring the Blue Hens 17-7 after intermission. Coming into the night, the Hilltoppers had outscored opponents 55-9, the second-highest point differential by any FBS team in 2025.
It was a tale of two halves, which ended as Delaware missed a 42-yard field goal that could’ve forced overtime with 0:04 to go in the game.
“Two great football teams playing tonight,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said postgame on the CBSSN broadcast. “Our guys kept battling. Sometimes it didn’t go our way, but they kept fighting and scratching.”
A big-man pick-six from Hilltopper redshirt sophomore linebacker Koron Heyward and a goal-line fumble from Delaware junior quarterback Nick Minicucci sparked life into a WKU sideline that was deflated following a three-and-out coming out of the halftime break.
Despite a WKU coaching staff that preached “starting faster”, the Hilltoppers failed to capitalize in the endzone until just 1:55 remained in the first half. Delaware took advantage of the slow start and forced the Hilltoppers to play from behind for the first half, scoring six on an efficient 15-play 75-yard opening drive.
A 62-yard drive fueled by one of Hilltopper redshirt sophomore defensive back Nazir Ward’s two pass interference penalties and an impressive sideline catch from Delaware junior wide reciever Ja’Carree Kelly was capped off by a Minicucci quarterback sneak for a Delaware touchdown as the clock struck 0:00 on the first half.
The Hilltoppers seized momentum after the Blue Hens gambled on fourth-and-one with an outside run play to the left, which was stopped just inches short with 3:40 left to play.
WKU leaned on its air attack against a Delaware defense whose corners frequently showed press. Quarterback Maverick McIvor passed for 230 yards and a touchdown.
The Hilltopper run game supported McIvor with a few explosive plays, but failed to find the consistency to sustain drives. McIvor had the Hilltoppers’ longest run of the night, a 22-yard scramble on first-and-ten.
Both quarterbacks had solid protection, with just one sack for either team on the night, but extended plays and lightened the load on their offensive lines, stepping up in the pocket and making plays with their legs.
Minicucci took the spotlight with his athleticism, using his legs in multiple big situations, totaling 53 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. On top of his rushing ability, he tacked on 314 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.
The Hilltoppers finish up their two game road conference stretch and will return to Houchens-Smith Stadium to face the FIU Panthers on Tue, Oct. 14 at 7:00 p.m.
