Liberty vs. Delaware: Flames Torch the Blue Hens in Dominant Win

By Isaiah Magar | KZA Sports

Liberty Flames vs Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens

Delaware opened the game with confidence, as quarterback Ryan Minicucci completed several sharp passes to march the Fightin’ Blue Hens downfield. But Liberty’s defense stiffened in the red zone, forcing Delaware to settle for an early field goal.

The Flames responded immediately. Behind a balanced offensive rhythm and the powerful running of Evan Dickens, Liberty stormed down the field. Quarterback Ethan Vasko capped the drive with a rushing touchdown to put the Flames ahead 7–3.

Delaware’s next possession was a grind. The Blue Hens faced fourth down twice, converting both — including a gutsy 17-yard scramble by Minicucci on 3rd-and-19. Still, Liberty held firm near the goal line, forcing another Delaware field goal to trim the lead to 7–6.

Liberty’s second drive went nowhere, setting up a short punt that gave Delaware good field position. But the Blue Hens squandered it — a deep throw by Minicucci was nearly intercepted by safety Elijah Auguste. Delaware tried to get clever on the ensuing punt with a fake, but the Flames sniffed it out perfectly, taking over at the Delaware 21.

It didn’t take long for Liberty to strike again. Vasko hit C.J. Person for 16 yards to set up first-and-goal, and Dickens did the rest, punching it in for his first of many scores. The Flames led 14–6.

After another Delaware three-and-out, Liberty’s offense went back to work. A long, deliberate drive ended in chaos when Donte Lee Jr. fumbled near the goal line trying to extend for a touchdown. After review, the ball was ruled out at the one-yard line, and Dickens powered in his second touchdown of the day. Liberty now led 21–6.

Delaware’s frustration grew. Minicucci’s next deep throw was picked off, setting up Liberty at the Blue Hens’ 30. Two plays later, Dickens broke free down the left sideline, untouched for his third touchdown — Liberty’s second score in under 90 seconds.

The Blue Hens tried to answer before halftime, but penalties killed their momentum. A blindside block and an illegal man downfield erased a potential touchdown, forcing Delaware to settle for a field goal. Liberty took a commanding 28–9 lead into the break.

The second half began with fireworks. On the Flames’ first play, Dickens burst through the middle for a 72-yard touchdown — his fourth of the day.

Delaware finally found some rhythm afterward. Minicucci led a crisp drive, hitting Elijah Sessoms for a wide-open 8-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 35–16. A Liberty penalty on the next punt gave Delaware great field position, and the Blue Hens capitalized again, with Minicucci dropping a fade to Lewis in the corner. They followed it with a successful two-point conversion to make it 35–24.

Liberty wasn’t fazed. Vasko connected with tight end Jacob Jenkins on back-to-back chunk plays, including a 15-yard touchdown that pushed the lead to 42–24.

Delaware’s comeback hopes died there. A failed fourth-down try on their own 33 handed Liberty the ball, and two plays later, Vasko found Lee for a 31-yard touchdown to make it 49–24.

Still, Delaware refused to quit. Minicucci scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown to narrow the gap, though a failed two-point try kept Liberty ahead comfortably, 49–30.

Any remaining hope vanished soon after. Dickens tore through the defense again, setting up running back Vaughn Blue for his first touchdown of the year.

With the game in hand, Liberty’s backups took the field — but the scoring didn’t stop. Reserve quarterback Michael Merdinger uncorked a 40-yard bomb to set up a Brayden Beck field goal.

The Flames ran out the clock, sealing a 59–30 rout over Delaware — a statement win built on power, pace, and the unstoppable play of Evan Dickens.

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