The first FBS team is coming to The First State.
The Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens are expected to join the FBS level as a Conference USA member, starting with the 2025 season. The news was first reported Monday by ESPN’s Pete Thamel and is expected to be formalized in the upcoming days.
Earlier in October, the application fee to transition from the FCS to FBS increased from $5,000 to $5 million and Delaware will be the first program to pay the amplified fee. The Fightin’ Blue Hens have one of the largest operating budgets in the FCS at $48 million, which is greater than the majority of current CUSA schools.