Tyler Bell passes 1st test as Delaware QB but future remains uncertain

While throwing for a Delaware freshman record 306 yards, Tyler Bell passed the test.

Whether that means Bell will be back behind center in the Blue Hens’ next football game remains to be seen.

Another Conference USA tussle looms Tuesday, Oct. 20, when Delaware (2-4, 0-2) faces Missouri State (2-4, 1-1) at Delaware Stadium at 7 p.m. ESPNU will televise the game nationally.

 Judging by Bell’s showing in his first start Oct. 13 in a 33-30 loss at Middle Tennessee, he’d warrant another opportunity. Bell certainly did reward coach Ryan Carty’s faith, which is strong.

“Very, very good at processing,” Carty said of Bell’s ability to quickly assess a situation and react. “One of the best, probably, I've had at his age. And then, athletically, he's gifted.

“We wanted to see what he could do and we gave him the keys to the game. I think he played and performed really well for a true freshman. Very limited mistakes, very limited missed throws and I was proud of the way he prepared, but really more proud of the way that he prepared prior to us giving him the nod.”

Tyler Bell excels in debut

Bell completed 22 of 36 passes for 306 yards to surpass Bill Vergantino’s 1989 freshman record, two touchdowns and the one interception that foiled Delaware’s final possession. Bell also caught a TD pass from wideout Bryson Graves.

 He was sacked six times but also showed he was a threat to run, as his 11 carries that weren’t sacks netted 59 yards.

Sophomore E.J. Archield Jr. started the previous game, a 30-14 home loss to Liberty, and completed 10 of 19 passes for 137 yards and carried four times for 18 yards in 2½ quarters.

Regular starter Nick Minicucci has missed the last two games after leaving the loss at Virginia with a second-quarter knee injury. Carty continued to refer to Minicucci’s situation as week to week without elaborating on the details of his injuries or his availability.

Visiting Bears also have QB uncertainty

Missouri State has also done some quarterback shuffling itself.

UTEP transfer Skyler Locklear started the first five games and completed 65.7 percent of his passes with four TDs and two interceptions.

Duke transfer Henry Belin IV had periodically spelled Locklear but then started against Kennesaw State in a 24-21 Bears win Oct. 14. He did well, completing 28 of 39 passes for 300 yards and two TDs.

The pair’s passing stats are quite similar though Locklear may give the Bears more of a running threat.

Delaware knows Locklear, as the Blue Hens intercepted five of his passes and sacked him five times in their 61-31 win over UTEP at Delaware Stadium to close the 2025 regular season. Locklear also threw four touchdown passes in that game.

“It's nice to not be the only one who's dealing with a quarterback thing,” Carty said. “. . . Obviously it’s not as easy as a defense to prepare when you're not sure who's going to be out there.”