Offense shines in UNH scrimmage
DURHAM -- Junior quarterback Kevin Decker threw a pair of touchdown passes, and redshirt freshman running back Chris Setian ran for 82 yards and a TD as the offense scored 33 points in the University of New Hampshire football team's annual Fall Blue/White Scrimmage on Thursday afternoon at Cowell Stadium.
The defense recorded six sacks for 65 yards and blocked a field goal. Junior defensive back Rod Walker - who had one of the six sacks - and freshman linebacker Malcolm Griggs led the squad in tackles with eight. Sophomore defensive back Tyler Sargent added seven tackles.
Decker finished 21 of 25 for 197 yards. Setian rushed 13 times for his 82 yards and the touchdown.
The first score of the game came with 2:01 remaining in the first quarter when Decker scampered 14 yards to find the end zone.
Decker then put his side up two scores when he hooked up with junior tight end Chris Jeannot on a pretty 22-yard touchdown play with 11:08 remaining in the second quarter, finishing off a 10-play, 64-yard drive.
That lead would be cut nearly in half on the last play of the opening half when freshman quarterback Alex Park found classmate Jim Giansante down the middle of the field for a 57-yard touchdown play. The ensuing extra point was no good. Park was impressive on the afternoon as he went 11 for 15 for 146 yards and a touchdown.
Decker added to his team's lead with 6:13 remaining in the third quarter when he polished off a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 7-yard pass play to senior Mike Greene. Greene finished with four catches for 32 yards.
Setian closed the scoring when he used a second effort to break free from the pile and finish off his 24-yard run for a touchdown.
Other members of the offense also turned in solid performances, including freshman quarterback Andy Vailas, who was 4 for 7 for 50 yards, redshirt freshman running back Derek Coppola, who carried seven times for 57 yards, and senior wide receiver Kevon Mason, who was the leading receiver with five catches for 52 yards.
The Wildcats will open the season Sept. 4, when they play host to Central Connecticut State. Game time is at 12 p.m. at Cowell Stadium.
Individual Scoring
1st quarter
2:01: Decker, 14-yard run (MacArthur PAT good) 7-0 Wild
2nd quarter
11:08: Decker-to-Jeannot, 22-yard pass (DeLago PAT good) 14-0 Wild
:03: Park-to-Giansante, 57-yard pass (PAT missed by Prasky) 6-14 Cats
3rd quarter
6:13: Decker-to-Greene, 7-yard pass, (MacArthur PAT good) 21-6 Wild
4th quarter
8:39: Setian 24-yard TD run, (no PAT attempt) 27-6 Wild
