UNH will put it on the line
By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
A year ago the University of New Hampshire football team scored at least 30 points in nine of its 13 games, led the Colonial Athletic Association in yards per game (406.9) and finished second among CAA teams in points per game (35.6).
The Wildcats return starting quarterback R.J. Toman, All-American tight end Scott Sicko and running back/kick returner Chad Kackert, who averaged a team-high 138.6 all-purpose yards per contest in 2008.
What could prevent the Wildcats from posting gaudy offensive statistics again in 2009? If there's an area of uncertainty, it's the offensive line. UNH must replace four starters from last season. The only returning starter is center Tom Neill.
The offensive line will get a test Saturday, when UNH wraps up spring practice with its annual Blue/White scrimmage at Cowell Stadium. The scrimmage is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. and admission is free.
The UNH defense returns eight starters, including all four starting defensive linemen from last season: Jordan Long, Steve Young, Brian McNally and Kevin Peters. McNally was named the CAA Defensive Rookie of Year last season, when he led all UNH defensive linemen in tackles with 55 (21 solo).
The other returning starters on defense are linebacker Sean Ware and Hugo Souza, and defensive backs Ryan Hinds and Dino Vasso.
The Wildcats have qualified for the NCAA playoffs in each of the last five seasons.
New Hampshire Football Report will have coverage of the Blue/White scrimmage Saturday and Sunday. The tentative two-deep rosters for the UNH offense, defense and special teams will be posted Friday night.
Team Information
Offensive Starters Lost (7): Josh Droesch (OL), Chris McClurg (OL), Eric Cumba (OL), Andrew Elwell (OL), Robert Simpson (RB), Terrance Fox (WR), Mike Boyle (SE).
Offensive Starters Returning (4): J.T. Wright (WR), Tom Neill (OL), Scott Sicko (TE), R.J. Toman (QB).
Defensive Starters Lost (3): Matt Parent (LB), Maurice Duper (OLB), John Clements (FS).
Defensive Starters Returning (8): Dino Vasso (DB), Hugo Souza (LB), Brian McNally (DE), Jordan Long (DT), Steve Young (DL), Kevin Peters (DE), Sean Ware (LB), Ryan Hinds (DB).
Specialists Starters Returning (0):
Specialists Starters Lost (6): Tom Bishop (PK), Tom Bishop (P), Kevin Decker (H), Matt Parent (LS), Terrance Fox (KR), Mike Boyle (PR).
Recruits (21): Rich Archer (OL/DL), Manny Asam (WR/B), Tyler Brnger (DE/LB), Chris Beranger (RB/DB), Jay Colbert (TE/DE), Steve Collister (LB/FB), Derek Coppola (RB/WR), Kevin Gangelhoff (TE/LB), Chris Houston (WR/DB), Jack Jamerson (DL/OL), Mike MacArthur (P/PK), Sean McCann (DL), Cody Muller (OL/DE), Seamus O'Neill (OL/DL), Sean Regan (DB/WR), Sean Ryan (OL/DL), James Scafate (OL/DL), Nick Schmalhofer (OL/DL), Chris Settian (RB), Jim Vailas (DE), Todd Walker (WR).
Redshirts (22): A.J. DeLago (K), Matt Welch (QB), Josh Vick (QB), Kiah Colbert (FS), Jerome Wilkins (DB), Dontra Peters (WR/DB), Shawn Sweeney (RB), Brandon Lutz (LB), Kenneth Howard (RB), Tyler Sargent (DB), Matt Evans (LB), Chris Zarkoskie (OL), Alan Buzbee (LB), Andrew Drazin (LB), Jared Smith (DL), Josh Lane (OL), Isaiah Martin (OL), Mickey DiLima (OL), Walter McCarthy (OL), Matt McLaughlin (WR), Joey Orlando (WR), Randi Vines (DL).
