The 27th edition of the 68 Ventures Bowl will feature a showdown between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Delaware. This might come as a shock to some with the geographical locations of these two programs, but this will be the first-ever meeting in football. While the conversation around the importance of bowl games can be debated, both teams will be gunning for a victory of significance. What should people expect from these two teams when the ball gets kicked off in Mobile on Wednesday?
68 Ventures Bowl Preview: Ragin’ Cajuns Square Off Against Blue Hens
Louisiana Will Risk It All
Louisiana head coach Michael Desormeaux’s team came out of the gate stumbling. They were 2-6 with just four games left to go in the season. But they rattled off wins in their last four games to finish 5-3 in the Sun Belt and kept their consecutive bowl appearance streak intact, reaching eight straight seasons. They have yet to win one in the first three tries since Desormeaux took over for former Florida Gators head coach Billy Bapier. The strength of this team resides in its up-tempo offense. It finished the year as the number two-ranked offense in the Sun Belt. Quarterback D’wayne “Lunch” Winfield is the all-around playmaker for this Ragin’ Cajun offense. When averaging pass attempts and rushing attempts, Winfield is averaging 38 total touches in Sun Belt play (16.5 on the ground).
The Louisiana defense would not be confused for a brick wall. They finished 11th out of 14 teams in total defense in the conference. However, this unit brings a ton of pressure and isn’t afraid to take plenty of chances. Additionally, they welcome back redshirt senior defensive back Tyree Skipper from a two-game suspension. For a team facing an offense that wants to throw the ball a ton, Skipper and this defense will have plenty of chances for high-risk, high-reward plays to slow down the Blue Hens’ offense.
Delaware Collecting Program Firsts
Delaware Head Coach Ryan Carty leads the Blue Hens into the 68 Ventures Bowl for the school’s first bowl appearance. That is because it is Delaware’s first season at the FBS level. Normally, the NCAA rules prohibit teams transitioning to the FBS level from playing in bowl games. However, if the team has six victories and there aren’t enough bowl-eligible teams available, they waive this ridiculous rule. An actual blue hen can fly, but only a distance of around 10-40 yards. However, the lead blue hen for Carty, quarterback Nick Minicucci, gives this blue hen passing attack major production.
He has surpassed 300 passing yards in seven of his 12 games this year. He finished the season with 22 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also isn’t afraid to run the ball, averaging just under 10 carries per game. Minicucci and the Delaware offense averaged 29.75 points and 418.08 yards per game (second and third best in C-USA). Delaware’s defense is a stereotypical unit, with a high-powered passing attack that just wants the ball back as quickly as possible. You won’t be finding the Bronko Nagurski award winner anywhere close to this game. Delaware will give up passing yards as quickly as they accumulate them and happily get into a shootout.
68 Ventures Bowl Prediction
Neither side is good in low-scoring slugfests. Both teams need to get to at least 30 points to have a shot at winning. The 68 Ventures Bowl will feature two teams without any opt-out concerns (as of this publication), so both teams should look like they have all year. Expect both teams to put up a ton of points. Louisiana only beat one team with a .500 record all year. Delaware, at their best, took down a 9-win UConn team this year. While there likely won’t be a big migration of Blue Hen fans down to Alabama for the game, the team will come out firing the ball all over the field. The Blue Hens score a go-ahead touchdown with 30 seconds remaining in the game to secure their first-ever bowl victory.
Delaware 42, Louisiana 35
How To Watch
Day/Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Time: 8:30pm EST
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium; Mobile, AL
TV: ESPN
Main Photo: Photo courtesy of Mobile, AL.
