Clan-Members » A Football during his 3 1/2-year tenure.Thou

(STATS) -- A tumultuous turn of events has Delaware in a highly unusual position as it prepares for an unfamiliar opponent.With co-defensive coordinator Dennis Dottin-Carter now in charge, the reeling Blue Hens enter their first-ever meeting with No. 24 Stony Brook attempting to avoid their first five-game losing streak since 1939.Its been a whirlwind last few days for a Delaware program among the most tradition-rich at the FCS level. The Blue Hens squandered an 11-point lead in last Saturdays 24-17 loss at William & Mary to fall to 0-3 in CAA play, triggering the dismissal of head coach Dave Brock the following day.The players are hurt, without a doubt, Dottin-Carter said. So my message to them was we need to be together. We need to, as (athletic director) Chrissi (Rawak) put it, weve got to pivot and move forward.The Blue Hens last four-game skid also prompted a change in leadership, as the administration ended K.C. Keelers otherwise successful 11-year reign after a 5-6 finish in 2012. But while Keeler was taking Sam Houston State to consecutive FCS semifinals appearances over the past two seasons and a current No. 1 ranking in the STATS Top 25, Brock was unable to elevate UD out of its mid-level standing in CAA Football during his 3 1/2-year tenure.Though sagging attendance and increasing fan apathy surely played a part in the decision, Brock ultimately couldnt complete the season because his team wasnt able to close out games. After being outscored 15-7 in the fourth quarter in a 28-21 home loss to Maine on Oct. 8, Delaware (2-4) surrendered 21 straight points over a 7 1/2-minute span in the final period last week in Williamsburg.Thats what this conference is about, winning games in the fourth quarter, Dottin-Carter said. We had put ourselves in the position we actually want to be in, having an opportunity in the fourth quarter, but weve got to finish.Dottin-Carters first foe as an interim head coach has had no such issues. Stony Brook (4-2, 3-0) has outscored the opposition 55-3 in the second half in winning its first three CAA games. After putting forth a sluggish and penalty-marred offensive performance through three quarters last week against Rhode Island, the rising Seawolves responded with two touchdown drives in the fourth to pull out a 14-3 victory.Youve got to play the fourth quarter of every game and weve been able to do that two we