DeSean Jackson & Delaware State face Trei Oliver, North Carolina Central, in a matchup that could change the MEAC race.

Delaware had asserted its authority at the outset of its Conference USA football game against Middle Tennessee the night of Oct. 22. But it’s the finish that particularly matters, as Delaware has quickly learned in its inaugural FBS-level season. And everything that happens in between can be equally critical.

Though Michigan and Delaware have been wearing winged helmets for generations, they weren’t the first in college football to do so. In the early 1930s, Michigan State and Indiana wore leather helmets with strips of leather that were a different color from the rest of the helmet, forming the now-famous winged pattern.

MTSU was outscored 17-0 in the second quarter and never recovered in a 31-28 loss to Delaware in Conference USA action Oct. 22.

The Blue Raiders scored with 1:03 left, driving 89 yards after intercepting a tipped pass thrown by Braden Streeter, in at quarterback after Minicucci was injured. Delaware wideout Nick Laboy recovered an onside kick and Delaware ran out the clock.

In its first-ever Conference USA (CUSA) matchup, Delaware football, the -5.5 point underdogs, would go on to dominate the Florida International University Panthers at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, showing everyone that they not only belong in their new conference, but should be feared by their opponents.

Stephen Decatur football player Kyle Mumford wins the EZ Cash of Delaware, Inc. Athlete of the Week award for Oct. 13-19.

Two-time defending champion Brad Myers, Kevin Tresolini and Brandon Holveck cover high school sports for Delaware Online/The News Journal. Matt Kalin, who generates the Kalin Ratings for Delaware high school football, is a Mount Pleasant and recent University of Maryland graduate.