UNH Notebook: Focus shifts to recruiting
Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
Because the University of New Hampshire doesn't have a game this weekend, the UNH coaching staff shifted its focus from this year's team to future UNH teams this week. In other words, the UNH coaches put a little more emphasis on recruiting.
UNH coach Sean McDonnell said he dispatched four of his assistant coaches to areas outside of New England.
"On Sunday four of our guys left and went on the road," McDonnell said. "We're in outer areas right now because when we go during the season ... on those Fridays we can get to Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
"This is a great time for the guys to get out, see some of the kids that we need to see early tape on. Grab that tape and bring it back so we can make some decisions and see some of the kids we have some offers out to. Not talk to them, but see them."
UNH earned itself a No. 6 national ranking following its 23-17 victory over Ball State last Saturday. The Wildcats will carry a 2-0 record into next weekend's game against Dartmouth.
"You know it's great to go into a school after being 2-0 and after beating an FBS team," McDonnell said. "And knowing you're on an upbeat when the recruit's there."
McDonnell said during a typcial game week assistant coaches spend about 30 minutes per day on recruiting, and then make calls to recruits two nights a week.
"They're gonna spend probably 30 minutes a day on it and then at night, two chosen nights, probably gonna make an hour worth of calls a night," he said. "The problem is it doesn't end anymore. That's the reality of it."
End of the line
Senior tight end Scott Sicko made 50 catches for 660 yards and seven touchdowns last season, which has resulted in some extra attention this fall.
Sicko will enter next weekend's game against Dartmouth with four catches for 25 yards in UNH's two games.
"(Defenses) know how important he is to us and they know what kind of weapon he is," UNH quarterback R.J. Toman said. "It's one of those things where he's doing his job and if the defense is double-covering him he's doing well."
"You watch the tape closely, third down people know where he is," McDonnell added. "As we develop we gotta find better ways to get him open.
Going Green
Although UNH and Dartmouth were scheduled to meet in 2010 and 2011, those games were pushed back to 2014 and 2015. Sacred Heart replaced UNH on Dartmouth's schedule in 2010 and 2011.
The all-time series between the two FCS schools is tied 17-17-2, but UNH has won 15 of the last 16 meetings. Dartmouth's last victory came in 1976. The 1990 game ended in a tie.
McDonnell said he would prefer to play Dartmouth every year.
"I think it's a great thing for New England football," he said. "I think it's a great thing for New Hampshire football, and I think it's a great thing for the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth. It's Ivy versus CAA. I think those are the kind of games I-AA football should and oughta be playing.
"I like the rivalry. I like the game. I want to see the thing continued as much as possible, and at the same time you understand that people have to make decisions based on what's best for their football program."
Tallman makes U-turn
UNH was among the schools interested in Boston College High School tight end/defensive end Andrew Tallman, who committed to the University of Miami earlier this week.
Tallman's brother Alan played for UNH and is currently an assistant coach at BC High.
Tallman, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound senior, has been projected as either a tight end or offensive tackle at the college level.
UNH and Virginia were reportedly the first two schools to make scholarship offers to Tallman.
