Wildcats show 1-2 punch at quarterback
Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
DURHAM -- The University of New Hampshire's Blue/White scrimmage Saturday was close, but the competition to be the team's starting quarterback might be closer.
Junior quarterback Kevin Decker passed for three touchdown,s and senior QB R.J. Toman completed two touchdown passes in the Blue's 24-20 victory at Cowell Stadium.
Toman, last year's starting QB, competed 19 of 34 pass attempts for 176 yards. He completed 174 of 320 passes for 15 TDs last season.
Decker completed 15 of his 20 passes for 209 yards Saturday. He connected on 33 of 60 pass attempts for 380 yards and five TDs last season.
"I thought both quarterbacks, as the game wore on, did some good things," UNH coach Sean McDonnell said. "It's a close battle at the quarterback position. It's a good position to be in with two kids who are really good quarterbacks."
The defense recorded 14 sacks for a loss of 65 yards and came up with a pair of turnovers. Defensive back Chris Beranger, a redshirt freshman, led the team with 12 tackles. Junior linebacker Mark Petercuskie, sopohomore linebacker Alan Buzbee and junior defensive lineman John Murray all had eight tackles.
Sophomore running back Dontra Peters opened the scoring with a 20-yard TD run at 4:27 of the first quarter. He finished the game with seven carries for a game-high 68 yards.
"(Peters) can make people miss," McDonnell said. "He's still learning to read a little bit. He's got some natural ability. He's got great vision and when he sees things he can accelerate. I like his toughness. He's not afraid to run over some people. Not afraid to run in some tight quarters."
Decker completed a 22-yard TD pass to senior wide receiver Terrance Fox, a 20-yard TD pass to senior wide receiver Mike Greene and a 61-yard TD pass to sophomore wide receiver Joey Orlando.
Toman tossed a 34-yard TD pass to junior wide receiver Mickey Mangieri and a 34-yard TD pas to senior wide receiver Chris Chandler.
Greene caught six passes for 70 yards in the scrimmage. Orlando made three catches for 104 yards, and Fox finished the day with five catches for 55 yards. Fox missed all of the 2009 season after failing a test for a banned substance.
"I was happy to see Terrence Fox," McDonnell said. "I think he's got some ability that's going to help us on the perimeter. He's pretty dynamic when he gets the ball in his hands. Everybody is really, really excited about having him back in the program, from every kid to every coach."
UNH will open the 2010 season Sept. 4 with a home game against Central Connecticut State (noon).
"We got to go through the summer then we come back and we have 29 practices to get ready for Central Connecticut," McDonnell said.
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UNH's 2010 captains are Toman, senior linebacker Devon Jackson, senior running back Sean Jellison and senior defensive back Dino Vasso. Jellison did not play in the scrimmage because of a torn meniscus. ... Senior defensive tackle Steve Young (recovering from shoulder surgery) and senior wide receiver Kevon Mason (high ankle sprain) were among those who didn't participate in the scrimmage. ... Freshman kicker Mike MacArthur (North Hampton) kicked a 20 yard field goal. ... McDonnell said sophomore Chris Zarkoskie has separated himself from those competing to be the starting center. ... McDonnell said Jellison, Zarkoskie and offensive lineman Isaiah Martin all participated in spring practice with meniscus tears and each is scheduled to have surgery. He said he expects each player to be recovered by June 1. ... Seamus O'Neill, who played at Manchester Central, is listed as the starter at right guard on the team's two-deep depth chard. O'Neill is a redshirt freshman.
