Western Kentucky at Delaware - 2025 Matchup Preview
Western Kentucky logo Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Delaware Blue HensDelaware logo
Friday, October 3rd 2025 (7:00 PM EDT)
Delaware -2.5 (62.5) (-142)  Open: -1.5
Western Kentucky 27 - Delaware: 24  (Conference USA)

 
Hilltoppers (9 - 4) (10 - 3 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (48 - 31)
Avg Score : 30 - 23 (25 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.7 - 4.3 (#36)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 4)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 5)
WKU 2nd straight Road Game
DEL coming off BYE
Our Line: Western Kentucky -9  (SP+ WKU -11)

Projected Score: WKU: 35 - DEL: 26 (61)
DEL Win prob: 55% | Cover: 49%
WKU Travel: 609 miles, 1 hrs behind
Blue Hens (7 - 6) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach Ryan Carty (26 - 11)
Avg Score : 29 - 31 (37 - 28 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.5 - 6.5 (#75)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 6)
 
Western Kentucky's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/23 Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston-9.560.5W 41 - 24OY
Sat 8/30 Western Kentucky vs North Alabama-27.560.5W 55 - 6OY
Sat 9/6 Western Kentucky at Toledo+8.557.5L 21 - 45ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Western Kentucky vs Nevada-8.554.5W 31 - 16UY
Sat 9/27 Western Kentucky at Missouri State-3.559.5W 27 - 22UY
Fri 10/3 Western Kentucky at Delaware+2.562.5W 27 - 24UY
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/14 Western Kentucky vs Florida International-9.555.5L 6 - 25UN
Tue 10/21 Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech+5.549.5W 28 - 27OY
Sat 11/1 Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State-7.553.5W 35 - 16UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee-13.551.5W 42 - 26OY
Sat 11/22 Western Kentucky at LSU+24.552.0L 10 - 13UY
Sat 11/29 Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State-1.556.5L 34 - 37ON
Tue 12/23 Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss+3.059.0W 27 - 16UY

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 3
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 3
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule
Delaware's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Delaware vs Delaware State-30.555.5W 35 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Delaware at Colorado+23.549.5L 7 - 31UN
Sat 9/13 Delaware vs UConn+8.552.5W 44 - 41OY
Sat 9/20 Delaware at Florida International+4.054.5W 38 - 16UY
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/3 Delaware vs Western Kentucky-2.562.5L 24 - 27UN
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/15 Delaware at Jacksonville State-3.055.5L 25 - 38ON
Wed 10/22 Delaware vs Middle Tennessee-9.555.5W 31 - 28ON
Sat 11/1 Delaware at Liberty+3.552.5L 30 - 59ON
Sat 11/8 Delaware vs Louisiana Tech+5.557.5W 25 - 24UY
Sat 11/15 Delaware vs Sam Houston-11.556.5L 23 - 26UN
Sat 11/22 Delaware at Wake Forest+17.549.5L 14 - 52ON
Sat 11/29 Delaware vs UTEP-4.555.5W 61 - 31OY
Wed 12/17 Delaware vs Louisiana+1.560.5W 20 - 13UY

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Delaware's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU#74 (.17)43% (58)29.545% (52)2.97 (62)12342% (64)2524.21 (30)#42 (.11)37% (19)22.839% (26)36% (18)2.72 (11)55.61.41
DEL#60 (.19)44% (53)2943% (76)2.92 (71)11944% (45)2923.52 (87)#110 (.22)42% (77)3139% (35)45% (115)4.04 (106)49.91.51.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU#66 (.19)42% (83)38% (117)2.78 (108)11045% (33)2653.83 (78)#95 (.21)45% (102)48% (113)40% (60)3.66 (54)41.31.71.5
DEL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Offense1329.524.543.2%4.211.4203741232524.242%57%45%42%15%.17
DEL Defense13312842.1%4.041.5 - - - - - 47%51%39%45%16%.22
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Defense1322.82837%2.721 - - - - - 46%52%39%36%16%.11
DEL Offense132936.743.8%3.521.5234111192923.840%58%43%44%15%.19

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Kentucky1327:102045%33%5.655.61.414.91.2228.2
Delaware1330:1822.842%53%5.349.91.51.56.22.1229
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Offense1342% (125)45% (52)29.2122.74.220 (78).09 (81)2.97 (62)81% (12)9% (49)0.92 (84)
DEL Defense1347% (40)39% (35) - - - - .19 (118)2.87 (67)68% (47)11% (42)1.27 (135)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Defense1346% (22)39% (26) - - - - .09 (61)2.79 (52)55% (3)9% (94)1.13 (130)
DEL Offense1340% (127)43% (76)31.4119.23.820 (49).05 (99)2.92 (71)69% (90)9% (73)0.94 (80)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Offense1357% (12)42% (64)23.335251.67.210.821 (42)11 (60).24 (72)1.5 (89)33% (100)34% (24).36 (45)6% (89)1.9 (104)
DEL Defense1351% (95)45% (115) - - - - - - 14 (75).29 (88)1.5 (63)32% (53)35% (124).41 (117)5% (101)2.1 (101)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Defense1352% (109)36% (18) - - - - - - 8 (55).16 (33)1.5 (62)34% (32)27% (31).23 (43)7% (17)2 (69)
DEL Offense1358% (10)44% (45)25.941.6291.5711.324 (86)8 (20).27 (61)1.4 (113)32% (81)29% (85).26 (90)6% (73)2.1 (58)

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: 3.54  #57
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 7.30  #77
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 3.76  #39
2025 Talent Rating: 620.00  #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #88
Western Kentucky's 2025 Expected Record: 8.7 - 4.3
Western Kentucky's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.4  #70
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.9  #60
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.0  #80

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: 3.54   Delaware: -7.095

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: 0.4   Delaware: -10.7




Delaware's Power Ratings
Delaware's Power Rating: -7.095  #100
Delaware's Offense Rating: 7.46  #76
Delaware's Defense Rating: 15.95  #117
2025 Talent Rating: 282.00  #133
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #101
Delaware's 2025 Expected Record: 6.5 - 6.5
Delaware's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -10.7  #109
Delaware's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.0  #72
Delaware's Defense SP+ Rating: 37.2  #127

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 29.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.5
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 28

Western Kentucky's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 10 - 3 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record on Road: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 4 - 1 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Western Kentucky 35
Delaware 26


Total Points: 61

Based on Last 4 Games
Delaware 32
Western Kentucky 29

Total Points: 62

Based on Entire Season
Delaware 29
Western Kentucky 28

Total Points: 57
Delaware Scoring
Offense: 29 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.7
Defense: 31 PPG
Defense at Home: 28

Delaware's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record at home: 5 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 1 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 3 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/03Delaware24Western Kentucky27Delaware -2.5Western Kentucky62.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Delaware000 Overs
Western Kentucky111 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams1 - 01 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#57) WKU at (#100) DEL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWKUDEL
Power RatePwr #57 #100
SP+SP+ #70 #109
Perf GradeGrade #55 #71
OffenseOff #64 #72
DefenseDef #54 #47
Spec TeamsST #28 #93
TalentTal #89 #133
Blue ChipsBC% #88 #101
Western Kentucky Notes
(10/22) Escaped LT in OT, QB Tisdale OK but is mobile
(10/21) QB1 McIvor shoulder inj, R. Tisdale (Fr) vs La Tech
(10/15) FIU performance off a bye? Completely unprepared
(10/15) McIover last 4 games, 2 TD, 4 INT, 231 YPG.
(10/14) Shameful performance vs FIU, OG'd by 200+, Off awful
(10/4) Lucky W @ Del, OG'd by 100 yds, 2 TOs for TDs.
(10/4) QB McIvor is fun in an extremely pass heavy Off
(8/23) Likely 7-8 portal starters on both Off & Def
(8/2) Over Bet Watch, McIvor off great, Def rough
(7/25) Def portal adds include 11 DL, 3 LB, 8 DBs.
(7/25) WR complete rebuild. Took 7 portals + 2 TEs
(7/25) OL rebuild. 10 portal adds. Will take some time
Western Kentucky Injury Report
Delaware Notes
(10/22) QB Nick Minicucci knocked out of MTSU game
(10/4) Blew WKU game w/ 2 awful TOs, missed 4th & FG
(9/20) Killed FIU on road, Minicucci good, Def enough
(9/17) Have real issues at kicker, likely 4th down atts
(9/9) QB Minicucci 18/36 for 312 yds at Colorado
(8/29) QB Minicucci v good vs Del St, run def awful
(7/15) WR has some pieces, need to see how they fit
(7/12) Could be successful in 1st year w/ return prod
(7/11) OL has good size, impressive for FBS jump
(7/11) Def has a lot back, good production.
(3/24) QBs Marker/Minicucci both played a lot LY
(3/24) RB Silver/St. Fleur exp'd. Depth?
Delaware Injury Report
Western Kentucky on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffDEL Def
Perf GradePerf #64 #47
SuccessSuc #58 #77
ExplosiveExp #70 #130
PPAPPA #74 #110
PowerPwr #77 #117
SP+SP+ #60 #127
Pts POPPO #30 #106
HavocHav #61 #63
Western Kentucky Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffDEL Def
Run GameRun #74 #33
Run SuccessRSuc #52 #35
Run ExplRExp #84 #135
PPAExp #81 #118
Run BlockR Blk #91 -
OL YdsOLY #62 #67
Stuff RateStuff #99 #34
TackleTak -  #89
Western Kentucky Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffDEL Def
Pass GamePass #47 #51
Pass SuccessPSuc #64 #115
Pass ExplPExl #89 #63
PPAExp #72 #88
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #34 #114
F7 HavocF7 #49 #42
DB HavocDB #89 #101
Delaware on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 58%, Run: 40%
CategoryCatDEL OffWKU Def
Perf GradePerf #72 #54
SuccessSuc #53 #19
ExplosiveExp #63 #116
PPAPPA #60 #42
PowerPwr #76 #39
SP+SP+ #72 #80
Pts POPPO #87 #11
HavocHav #69 #58
Delaware Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 58%, Run: 40%
CategoryCat
DEL OffWKU Def
Run GameRun #105 #72
Run SuccessRSuc #76 #26
Run ExplRExp #80 #130
PPAExp #99 #61
Run BlockR Blk #87 -
OL YdsOLY #71 #52
Stuff RateStuff #93 #31
TackleTak -  #118
Delaware Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 58%, Run: 40%
CategoryCatDEL OffWKU Def
Pass GamePass #64 #34
Pass SuccessPSuc #45 #18
Pass ExplPExl #113 #62
PPAExp #61 #33
Pass Block/RushP Blk #53 #70
F7 HavocF7 #73 #94
DB HavocDB #73 #17
Program Comparison
DEL 5 Year Profile: Improving Poor G5
'25 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

WKU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'25 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Delaware Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 63°
Rematch from Week 6
Delaware -2.5 (62.5)
Western Kentucky won at Delaware this year (27-24)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WKU's OC Rick Bowie (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Maverick McIvor (Tr)18327367%20621267.6
Rodney Tisdale Jr.13921266%1432976.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Marvis Parrish10657615.466
La'Vell Wright (Tr)85471105.539
George Hart III7030054.336
Rodney Tisdale Jr.5210822.115
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Matthew Henry (Tr)55888616.155
K.D. Hutchinson6661839.478
Moussa Barry34488114.448
Noah Meyers32357311.262

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC DaVon Brown (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Wester (Tr)1067232
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)744005
Anthony Brackenridge745123
Dave Herard583004
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dominic Oliver (Tr)204300
Koron Hayward194321
Jalen Emery (Tr)183213
Harper Holloman396264
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nazir Ward353106
Jai Eugene Jr.212105
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)744005

DEL's OC Terence Archer (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Nick Minicucci32251463%36712377.1
Braden Streeter121963%98115.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jo'Nathan Silver11965255.570
Viron Ellison Jr.11746243.920
Nick Minicucci112235102.129
Greg Spiller2211015.055
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Kyre Duplessis63863513.768
Sean Wilson66850312.951
Jake Thaw31359311.651
Ja'Carree Kelly3230419.567

View Delaware's Full Roster

DEL's DC Manny Rojas (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gavin Moul1127223
KT Seay916001
Mysonne Pollard663001
Marje Mulumba548121
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Keyshawn Hunter297420
Trace Scott194320
Dillon Trainer304310
James Yelbert Jr.214380
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jamarion Kolagbodi281006
Nate Evans371106
Gavin Moul1127223