With the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team, Gannon first played as a punter before switching to quarterback in sophomore year. Gannon set 21 school records, including total offense (7,432 yards), passing yards (5,927), pass attempts (845), and completions (462) and was the only Delaware player at the time to achieve at least 2,000 yards of offense three years in a row. As a sophomore, Gannon won the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division I-AA Rookie of the Year award in 1984. For his senior season (1986), Gannon won Yankee Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and was an honorable mention All-American selection.

This leather University of Delaware mini helmet has been signed on the front by Rich Gannon. This item includes a Great Moments COA.