Delaware beats Western Kentucky 35-21

Team pages: Delaware · Western Kentucky

Delaware4-435
Western Kentucky3-521Final
Tue, Oct 27 · Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Ky. · Crowd 12,147CBS Sports Network

Delaware beat Western Kentucky 35-21.

We had Western Kentucky favored. Delaware won.

Next: Delaware at Kennesaw State, Sat Nov 7 · 3:00 PM ET

Next: Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee, Sat Nov 7 · 3:30 PM ET

How it swung

The turning point: Allen 5-yd TD run, Western Kentucky goes ahead 21-14 (Q2, 10:52). Delaware went from 37% to 20% to win.

Before kickoff, our ratings gave Delaware a 47% chance, and the closing betting line (Delaware was a 2.5-point underdog) put it at 42%.

Delaware won by 14, after dipping to 15% in the first quarter.

Up to 85% in the first quarter, then Western Kentucky lost it.

21 unansweredDelaware · Q2 0:59
FinalDelaware 35-21 Western KentuckyDelaware wonMove across the chart, or tap a numbered swing, to see any play.
50%25%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q473% at halfDelawareLowest 15%Won35-2112−17+14Scores
50%25%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q473% at halfDelawareLowest 15%Won35-2112Scores
50%10%25%75%Q1Q2Q3Q427% at halfDelawareHigh 85%Lost21-3512+17−14Scores
50%10%25%75%Q1Q2Q3Q427% at halfDelawareHigh 85%Lost21-3512Scores

The two plays that swung it

  1. 1Q2 10:52Allen 5-yd TD run, Western Kentucky goes ahead 21-14Delaware 37% → 20% (−17)
  2. 2Q2 0:59Minicucci 8-yd TD pass to Silver, Delaware goes ahead 28-21Delaware 50% → 64% (+14)

The two plays that swung it

  1. 1Q2 10:52Allen 5-yd TD run, Western Kentucky goes ahead 21-14Western Kentucky 63% → 80% (+17)
  2. 2Q2 0:59Minicucci 8-yd TD pass to Silver, Delaware goes ahead 28-21Western Kentucky 50% → 36% (−14)
Delaware’s chance to win after every play.
How to read this chartStarts from the pregame line (Western Kentucky -2.5), at 33% for Delaware (the play-by-play feed's kickoff number, moved to match the line; our model's and the betting line's own numbers are in “The betting line, and the fans”). Dots are the biggest swings; ticks under the chart are scores. Outlined diamonds mark rare plays.

Watch the plays

The bar and the arrow show Delaware’s chance to win after each play; the logo is the team the play helped.

  1. Q1, 11:37Glenn 2-yd TD pass to EzirimWestern Kentucky goes ahead 7-0Q1, 11:37 · Delaware 0, Western Kentucky 7▼7%Delaware’s chance to win, 26% to 19%▼7%Delaware’s chance to win, 26% to 19%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  2. Q1, 6:43Minicucci 17-yd TD pass to Robertsties it 7-7Q1, 6:43 · Delaware 7, Western Kentucky 7▲8%Delaware’s chance to win, 28% to 36%▲8%Delaware’s chance to win, 28% to 36%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  3. Q1, 3:41Taylor 1-yd TD runWestern Kentucky goes ahead 14-7Q1, 3:41 · Delaware 7, Western Kentucky 14▼12%Delaware’s chance to win, 31% to 19%▼12%Delaware’s chance to win, 31% to 19%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  4. Q1, 3:13Minicucci 11-yd pass to WilsonfumbledQ1, 3:13 · Delaware 7, Western Kentucky 14▼4%Delaware’s chance to win, 19% to 15%▼4%Delaware’s chance to win, 19% to 15%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  5. Q1, 2:45Glenn intercepted by Moore at the Delaware 22Q1, 2:45 · Delaware 7, Western Kentucky 14▲5%Delaware’s chance to win, 15% to 20%▲5%Delaware’s chance to win, 15% to 20%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  6. Q2, 12:42Minicucci 21-yd TD pass to Wilsonties it 14-14Q2, 12:42 · Delaware 14, Western Kentucky 14▲11%Delaware’s chance to win, 27% to 38%▲11%Delaware’s chance to win, 27% to 38%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  7. Q2, 10:52Allen 5-yd TD runWestern Kentucky goes ahead 21-14Q2, 10:52 · Delaware 14, Western Kentucky 21▼17%Delaware’s chance to win, 37% to 20%▼17%Delaware’s chance to win, 37% to 20%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  8. Q2, 7:25Ellison 5-yd TD runties it 21-21Q2, 7:25 · Delaware 21, Western Kentucky 21▲12%Delaware’s chance to win, 27% to 39%▲12%Delaware’s chance to win, 27% to 39%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  9. Q2, 3:44Glenn sacked for a 8-yd lossQ2, 3:44 · Delaware 21, Western Kentucky 21▲4%Delaware’s chance to win, 33% to 37%▲4%Delaware’s chance to win, 33% to 37%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  10. Q2, 0:59Minicucci 8-yd TD pass to SilverDelaware goes ahead 28-21Q2, 0:59 · Delaware 28, Western Kentucky 21▲14%Delaware’s chance to win, 50% to 64%▲14%Delaware’s chance to win, 50% to 64%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  11. Q3, 4:20Minicucci 40-yd TD pass to WilsonDelaware leads 35-21Q3, 4:20 · Delaware 35, Western Kentucky 21▲11%Delaware’s chance to win, 80% to 91%▲11%Delaware’s chance to win, 80% to 91%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  12. Q4, 14:54Glenn intercepted by Graham at the Delaware 15returned 18 yardsQ4, 14:54 · Delaware 35, Western Kentucky 21▲7%Delaware’s chance to win, 87% to 94%▲7%Delaware’s chance to win, 87% to 94%Watch from this playCBS Sports College Football
  13. Q4, 0:59Glenn 5-yd runfumblesQ4, 0:59 · Delaware 35, Western Kentucky 2135-21score after the play35-21score after the playWatch from this playCBS Sports College Football

Every drive

Delaware scored on 5 of its 12 drives; Western Kentucky on 3 of its 12.

Delaware’s drives are teal, Western Kentucky’s amber. A line runs from where a drive started to where it ended; a filled dot means it scored.

own goalgoal lineQ1Western Kentucky: Touchdown, from 75 yards out to 0TouchdownDelaware: Touchdown, from 82 yards out to 0TouchdownWestern Kentucky: Touchdown, from 75 yards out to 0TouchdownDelaware: Fumble, from 75 yards out to 64FumbleWestern Kentucky: Interception, from 36 yards out to 30InterceptionDelaware: Touchdown, from 78 yards out to 0TouchdownQ2Western Kentucky: Touchdown, from 75 yards out to 0TouchdownDelaware: Touchdown, from 80 yards out to 0TouchdownWestern Kentucky: Punt, from 75 yards out to 41PuntDelaware: Touchdown, from 90 yards out to 0TouchdownWestern Kentucky: End of half, from 75 yards out to 60End of halfQ3Delaware: Punt, from 75 yards out to 48PuntWestern Kentucky: Punt, from 89 yards out to 86PuntDelaware: Punt, from 53 yards out to 53PuntWestern Kentucky: Missed field goal, from 80 yards out to 24Missed FGDelaware: Touchdown, from 76 yards out to 0TouchdownWestern Kentucky: Interception, from 69 yards out to 16InterceptionQ4Delaware: Punt, from 67 yards out to 60PuntWestern Kentucky: Turned over on downs, from 79 yards out to 49DownsDelaware: Turned over on downs, from 51 yards out to 44DownsWestern Kentucky: Turned over on downs, from 56 yards out to 63DownsDelaware: Missed field goal, from 37 yards out to 24Missed FGWestern Kentucky: Turned over on downs, from 75 yards out to 3DownsDelaware: Uncategorized, from 97 yards out to 98Uncategorized

From Western Kentucky’s side

Western Kentucky’s best moment: Allen 5-yd TD run, Western Kentucky goes ahead 21-14 (Q2 10:52). It lifted Western Kentucky’s win chance by 17 points.

The winner fell to 15%.

What it cost

Western Kentucky’s chance to win the conference fell from 8% to 4%.

Win the conference

Delaware · won1% → ▲3%
Western Kentucky · lost8% → ▼4%8%▼ 4%

Before the game (October 26, 2026) → after this result alone, in our model. Other games that weekend move it too, so the team page may differ.

Delaware plays at Kennesaw State on Sat Nov 7 with a 3% chance to win the conference. Western Kentucky plays at Middle Tennessee on Sat Nov 7 with a 4% chance to win the conference.

Box score

Delaware 35, Western Kentucky 21

Delaware covered +2.5 by 16.5. The total, 56, went over 55.5.

DelawareWestern KentuckyTotal yardsDelaware 495Western Kentucky 477495477Passing yardsDelaware 414Western Kentucky 245414245Rushing yardsDelaware 81Western Kentucky 23281232First downsDelaware 25Western Kentucky 242524TurnoversDelaware 1Western Kentucky 212Time of possessionDelaware 30:17Western Kentucky 29:2830:1729:28
Team totalsDelawareWestern Kentucky
Total yards495477
Passing32 of 38, 414 yds26 of 43, 245 yds
Rushing28 for 81 yds34 for 232 yds
First downs2524
Third down6 of 124 of 14
Fourth down1 of 23 of 6
Turnovers12
Penalties7 for 70 yds4 for 35 yds
Time of possession30:1729:28

Delaware leaders

  • Passing Nick Minicucci 32 of 38, 414 yds, 4 TD
  • Rushing Jo'Nathan Silver 13 for 49 yds; Nick Minicucci 2 for 14 yds
  • Receiving Sean Wilson 9 for 183 yds, 2 TD; Bryson Graves 6 for 60 yds

Western Kentucky leaders

  • Passing Brock Glenn 25 of 37, 224 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
  • Rushing Brock Glenn 17 for 129 yds; Ajay Allen 12 for 73 yds, 1 TD
  • Receiving Moussa Barry 4 for 80 yds; Jonathan Stafford Jr. 5 for 64 yds

No rain and calm

66° at kickoff · no rain recorded · wind 1 mph from the east-northeast, gusts to 2

October game-day temperatures at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium

Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Western Kentucky favoredDelaware favored0%Win chanceWestern KentuckyRaininches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWindmph, average and gusts20 mph40 mph
Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Western Kentucky favoredDelaware favoredRain · inches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWind · miles per hour2040

Drag along the chart, or step through the game.

Second quarter, 10:52 left6:52 p.m.
Delaware 14, Western Kentucky 21 · Western Kentucky 80% to win
no rain · wind 1 mph from the south · 64°
Allen 5-yd TD run, Western Kentucky goes ahead 21-14

Jump to

Where this weather comes fromMeasured at Bowling Green airport, 2.6 miles away. Wind and rain are airport readings near the stadium, not on the field. Game times come from the play-by-play, good to a minute or two. Source: National Weather Service, through the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Field direction from OpenStreetMap contributors.

Before kickoff

Recent games, the series and the betting line below are as they stood going in; the season profile is the season so far.

Recent games

Last three games

Delaware · 3-4

Rated 41st in our preseason ratings, 93rd now.

1-2 in its last three — but nothing on this résumé beats a top-40 team yet.

W 61-38 vs Missouri State No. 164 of 668 teams

won by 23 as a 3-point favorite

Delaware won 61-38 vs Missouri State. Chance to win started at 65%, low 32%, high better than 99%.

L 30-33 @ Middle Tennessee No. 167 of 668 teams

lost by 3 as a 1.5-point favorite

Delaware lost 30-33 at Middle Tennessee. Chance to win started at 46%, low 1%, high 81%.

L 14-30 vs Liberty No. 72 of 668 teams

lost by 16 as a 7-point underdog

Delaware lost 14-30 vs Liberty. Chance to win started at 38%, low under 1%, high 39%.

L 3-42 @ VirginiaTop 25 No. 38 of 668 teams

lost by 39 as a 19.5-point underdog

Delaware lost 3-42 at Virginia. Chance to win started at 7%, low under 1%, high 8%.

W 22-14 vs Coastal Carolina No. 156 of 668 teams

won by 8 as a 4.5-point favorite

Delaware won 22-14 vs Coastal Carolina. Chance to win started at 74%, low 31%, high better than 99%.

L 26-35 @ Vanderbilt No. 44 of 668 teams

lost by 9 as a 20.5-point underdog

Delaware lost 26-35 at Vanderbilt. Chance to win started at 7%, low under 1%, high 21%.

W 42-7 vs Merrimack No. 216 of 668 teams

won by 35 as a 31.5-point favorite

Delaware won 42-7 vs Merrimack. Chance to win started at 98%, low 97%, high better than 99%.

Last three games

Western Kentucky · 3-4

Rated 42nd in our preseason ratings, 80th now.

2-1 in its last three, including a 21-point win over Missouri State as a 1.5-point underdog.

W 16-3 @ Sam Houston No. 165 of 668 teams

won by 13 as a 1.5-point favorite

Western Kentucky won 16-3 at Sam Houston. Chance to win started at 47%, low 47%, high better than 99%.

W 34-13 vs Missouri State No. 122 of 668 teams

won by 21 as a 1.5-point underdog

Western Kentucky won 34-13 vs Missouri State. Chance to win started at 54%, low 46%, high better than 99%.

L 13-34 @ New Mexico State No. 137 of 668 teams

lost by 21 as a 1.5-point underdog

Western Kentucky lost 13-34 at New Mexico State. Chance to win started at 37%, low under 1%, high 50%.

W 52-7 vs Mercyhurst No. 249 of 668 teams

won by 45 as a 39.5-point favorite

Western Kentucky won 52-7 vs Mercyhurst. Chance to win started at 99%, low 99%, high better than 99%.

L 0-38 @ IndianaTop 25 No. 6 of 668 teams

lost by 38 as a 44.5-point underdog

Western Kentucky lost 0-38 at Indiana. Chance to win started at under 1%, low under 1%, high 1%.

L 20-70 @ GeorgiaTop 25 No. 3 of 668 teams

lost by 50 as a 40.5-point underdog

Western Kentucky lost 20-70 at Georgia. Never had a real chance.

L 14-49 @ Nevada No. 203 of 668 teams

lost by 35 as a 1.5-point favorite

Western Kentucky lost 14-49 at Nevada. Chance to win started at 46%, low under 1%, high 46%.

Week by week

Western Kentucky

Wk 3: L 0-38 at Indiana▼38IndianaWk 4: W 52-7 vs Mercyhurst▲45Mercyhur…Wk 5: L 13-34 at New Mexico State▼21N. Mexic…Wk 6: W 34-13 vs Missouri State▲21Missouri…Wk 7: W 16-3 at Sam Houston▲13Sam Hous…
  • Wk 3Lat Indiana0-38
  • Wk 4Wvs Mercyhurst52-7
  • Wk 5Lat New Mexico State13-34
  • Wk 6Wvs Missouri State34-13
  • Wk 7Wat Sam Houston16-3

Delaware

Wk 3: W 22-14 vs Coastal Carolina▲8Coastal…Wk 4: L 3-42 at Virginia▼39VirginiaWk 5: L 14-30 vs Liberty▼16LibertyWk 7: L 30-33 at Middle Tennessee▼3M. Tenne…Wk 8: W 61-38 vs Missouri State▲23Missouri…
  • Wk 3Wvs Coastal Carolina22-14
  • Wk 4Lat Virginia3-42
  • Wk 5Lvs Liberty14-30
  • Wk 7Lat Middle Tennessee30-33
  • Wk 8Wvs Missouri State61-38

Power rating by week

Western Kentucky is rated 0.6 points ahead as of week 8. Our power rating by week; higher is better.

61-3Wk 0Wk 4Wk 8Western KentuckyDelaware

Matchups

Biggest mismatch: Delaware’s explosive plays against Western Kentucky, 56 points

Each row ranks the two sides among all teams. The longer the line, the bigger the mismatch.

  1. Delaware’s explosive plays against Western Kentucky’s defense

    56 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Delaware offense, 67th percentile · Western Kentucky defense, 11th

  2. Western Kentucky’s passing EPA against Delaware’s defense

    27 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Western Kentucky offense, 15th percentile · Delaware defense, 42nd

  3. Delaware’s EPA/play against Western Kentucky’s defense

    25 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Delaware offense, 47th percentile · Western Kentucky defense, 22nd

Season profile, all the rows

Season profile

DelawareWestern Kentucky
EPA/play, offense
Delaware · 47Western Kentucky · 20
EPA/play, defense
Delaware · 31Western Kentucky · 22
Success rate, offense
Delaware · 42Western Kentucky…
Success rate, defense
Delaware · 27Western Kentucky · 50
Explosive-play rate, offense
Delaware · 67Western Kentucky · 55
Explosive-play rate, defense
Delaware · 22Western Kentucky · 11
Rush EPA, offense
Delaware · 32Western Kentucky · 44
Rush EPA, defense
Delaware · 32Western Kentucky · 11
Pass EPA, offense
Delaware · 58Western Kentucky…
Pass EPA, defense
Delaware · 42Western Kentucky · 49

The series

Western Kentucky leads the series 1-0

1 meeting since 2025 · Western Kentucky won the last meeting

  • 2025Western Kentucky 27-24Western Kentucky won 27-24 at Delaware. Chance to win started at 37%, low 16%, high better than 99%.

Each line is Western Kentucky’s chance to win through that meeting.

Line, fans and home field

The betting line, and the fans

Western Kentucky fans are feeling it more than most fanbases this week (88th percentile among FBS fanbases), in line with the numbers.

50-50Model 53% · Line 58%Western Kentucky fans · 88thDelaware fans · 17thDelawareWestern Kentucky

Western Kentucky favored by 2.5 · Total 55.5

How games like this usually go

Western Kentucky by 2.5, on the usual path until 1:55 left in the fourth

50%90%Q1Q2Q3Q450%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4

Half of games8 in 10 gamesThis game

The band is where a favorite’s chance ran in the 290 games since 2025 with a favorite of under 3.5 points.

The market

The spread moved 5 points toward Western Kentucky.

opened +2.5now −2.5

The total fell 3 points.

opened 58.5now 55.5

Spread: +2.5 → −2.5 · Total: 58.5 → 55.5

The books’ cut: 4.1%, the margin built into the odds

Home field

Western Kentucky is worth +5.3 points (±4.2) more at home than on the road since 2018 — top third of FBS, 68th percentile.

62% at home, 46% on the road against FBS opponents (25-15 home, 26-30 away).

Our model gives every stadium the same flat 2.3-point home edge (why); the books use about 3. Against the closing line this stadium reads -1.1 at home vs. away over 105 games — inside the ±6.1 noise, so the flat number is the honest one here.

Night kickoff — historically worth about half a point more to the home side against the number, and not much more than that. The visitors travel about 609 miles to get here.

Where next

Conference standings

Going into this game: place in the conference, then conference record.

Full Conference USA standings