Nine honored at UNH banquet

UNH logo.jpg Nine members of the University of New Hampshire football team were honored at Saturday's annual Football Awards Banquet held at the Granite State Room on the UNH campus. All nine players were key to the Wildcats finishing the 2008 season with a 10-3 overall record, the CAA North Division title, their fifth straight appearance in the NCAA FCS Tournament and their fourth finish in the FCS Quarterfinals in the past five seasons.

Senior offensive lineman and tri-captain Eric Cumba was selected as the eighth recipient of the Bill Bowes Coaches Award. Cumba was a starter on an offensive line that helped the UNH offense compile 404.2 yards per game in 13 games played. His blocking ability also was important as UNH scored 463 points on the season and averaged 35.6 yards per contest. He played a starting role three straight seasons for the Wildcats.
The defensive MVP for the 2008 season was senior free safety John Clements. In addition to compiling 86 total tackles, good for fourth on the team, he also scored four touchdowns with a combination of two interception returns, one kickoff return and a punt return. He was fourth on the team with three interceptions in 2008 and led the Wildcats with an average kickoff return of 29.9 yards per return.
Wide receiver Mike Boyle (Plymouth) was recognized as the team's offensive MVP. Boyle led the Wildcats with a team-high 67 catches and topped the 1,000- yard receiving mark with 1,116 in 2008. Boyle caught a team-high 10 touchdown passes last season and averaged 85.8 receiving yards per contest. He was also UNH's top punt return man with 10 returns for 68 yards, and carried the football 16 times for 138 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Senior running back Robert Simpson was named the recipient of the Jock MacKenzie/Bob Demers 12th Player Award for all he brought to the squad in 2009. Simpson showed tremendous speed and strength in his running game and as a result compiled a team-high 161 carries for 731 yards last season. He also led all rushers with seven rushing touchdowns in 2008, while also making six catches for 57 yards.

Earning the Jack French Unsung Hero Award this year was a pair of starting offensive linemen in senior Andrew Elwell and Josh Droesch. Both were key starters on an offensive line that produced 404.2 yards per game and 35.6 points per contest this past season. Elwell was a very versatile lineman who played in several positions in the offensive trenches. Knee injuries made things tough for Droesch, but when healthy, he was one of the best left tackles in the CAA and the nation.

Senior tri-captain and linebacker Matt Parent received the Bo Dickson Spirit Award. Parent finished his career as UNH's third all-time leading tackler with 356 and he made a habit of making big hits all four years of his career. Last season he was second on the team in total tackles (33-64-97), he recorded seven tackles for a loss, had two sacks, two interceptions and forced two fumbles. The big play of his career was a 100-yard interception return in a win over Massachusetts in 2008.

Senior offensive lineman Chris McClurg injured his knee midway through the season, but recovered and helped UNH advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA FCS Championships. He also worked at the New Hampshire State House as an intern, while also helping the UNH offense compile 404.2 yards per game. As a result of all he did at UNH, McClurg was recognized as the winner of the Creeley Buck Buchanan Distinguished Service Award.

Senior punter/place-kicker Tom Bishop who excelled both on the football team and in the classroom. He was twice named to the CAA All-Academic squad after posting a GPA above a 3.0 as a Theatre major at UNH. On the field he averaged 41.3 yards per punt, which is the UNH all-time record. He also served as the place-kicker for much of the season, connecting on 37-38 PATs and also making 11 of 14 field goals in 2008.

The Wildcats open the 2009 season on Sept. 5 when they entertain St. Francis at Cowell Stadium.