NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- The Merrimack College football team will travel to face the University of Delaware Blue Hens at Delaware Stadium on Thursday night.
The Warriors (0-1) benefit from a short week after dropping their home opener to the seventh-ranked Rhode Island Rams on Friday night. It'll mark a second straight challenge for coach Mike Gennetti and company as the Blue Hens are rooted in the FBS, one of two FBS programs the Warriors will face this season. The head-to-head matchup is the first in the program's history.
Warrior quarterback AJ Hariston Jr. earned the start and went 12-for-23 for 145 yards passing. Matthias Latham scored Merrimack's lone touchdown while Bryce Goulet led Merrimack in receiving on four receptions for 67 yards.
Delaware head coach Ryan Carty enters his fourth season at the helm with an overall record of 33-17. The Blue Hens, who are playing their first game of the season, are coming off their first campaign at the FBS level after they joined Conference USA in 2025. Delaware posed a 7-6 overall record and went 4-4 in conference play. The Hens were former members of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).
Delaware's offense averaged 29.4 points per game on 411 yards of offense in 2025. The Blue Hens threw for 292 yards passing and rushed for 119 yards on the ground. The team's defense allowed 31 points per game on 405 yards allowed. Delaware quarterback Nick Mediccui is a three-year starter behind center.
Kickoff from Delaware Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be aired on ESPN+.
