Archield opens at quarterback for Delaware against Liberty

Live update — October 2, 8:07 p.m. Eastern

EJ Archield Jr. opened at quarterback for Delaware against Liberty on Friday. ESPN's play-by-play records Archield taking a snap on the Blue Hens' first offensive possession, and Liberty's official live game center identifies him as Delaware's passing leader.

At the 8:07 p.m. Eastern check, Archield was five of eight for 73 yards. Liberty led 13–0 with 2:00 remaining in the second quarter. The game was still in progress.

Archield's appearance resolves who took the opening snaps after Nick Minicucci's knee injury left the starting assignment uncertain during the week. It does not establish a new medical diagnosis or return date for Minicucci. Delaware's Friday game post identifies the matchup as its Conference USA opener.

Earlier preview — before kickoff, October 2

Delaware’s defense enters Friday with 14 sacks through four games, but its offense has an unsettled quarterback decision after Nick Minicucci’s knee injury. The Blue Hens host Liberty at 7 p.m. Eastern on CBS Sports Network in the Conference USA opener for both teams.

Delaware Stadium is sold out for the game. The Blue Hens are 2-2; Liberty is 3-1 and has won three straight games.

Kevin Tresolini of the Delaware News Journal reported that Minicucci left the Virginia game in the second quarter. Braden Streeter replaced him, completing two of 16 passes for nine yards with two interceptions. Carty also declined to say whether Minicucci had practiced during the week.

That leaves the quarterback decision open entering the evening. Minicucci has 838 passing yards and five passing touchdowns this season. Receiver Sean Wilson has supplied 20 catches for 292 yards and three scores, while Jo Silver leads Delaware with 205 rushing yards.

The Blue Hens have a firmer identity on defense. Their 14 sacks through four games are tied for seventh nationally in the team's official preview. Blake Matthews accounts for 4.5 of them, including two against Virginia. Colin Gallagher led Delaware with 13 tackles in that game.

Liberty arrives after a 34-17 road victory over Coastal Carolina. Quarterback Deshawn Purdie leads the Flames with 779 passing yards, while Kam Davis has rushed for 310. Delaware's pass rush therefore has an immediate job against an offense that has found points during its winning streak.

This is the conference opener for both teams and their second meeting. Liberty won last year's game 59-30 in Lynchburg. Delaware now gets the rematch at home, with a different starting-quarterback question from the one it brought into last week's 42-3 defeat.

The availability decision and the ability to sustain drives will determine how much Delaware can ask of its defense. Wednesday's reporting established the uncertainty; it did not establish that Minicucci would miss Friday's game.