New Hampshire Wildcats
Overall Rank: #8
#3 Colonial
New Hampshire Team Page
2010 Record: (8-5, 5-3)
2010 Postseason: FCS Playoffs
Coach: Sean McDonnell (88-58 at New Hampshire, 88-58 overall)
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Dontra Peters, RB, 707 yards
Passing: Kevin Decker, QB, 447 yards
Receiving: Joey Orlando, WR, 585 yards
Tackles: Matt Evans, LB, 156
Sacks: Brian McNally, DE, 13.5
Interceptions: Kyle Flemings, CB, 4
New Hampshire quarterback R.J. Toman departs after throwing for 2,414 yards and 15 touchdowns during his senior season. However his replacement, Kevin Decker, took over for an injured Toman in the playoff opener at Bethune-Cookman and threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns. That performance has the Wildcats believing that their quarterback situation should be just fine this year.
Strengths:
But it will be the superstars on defense that gets Coach Sean McDonnell’s team back to the playoffs for the eighth straight year. The front four is brimming with talent. Most notable is defensive end Brian McNally who tallied a school record 13.5 sacks in 2010. His senior season could be even better with fellow senior James Jenkins manning the other side of the line. The middle of the line has a few more issues, but Jared Smith is a big run stuffer and Sean Mccann is a young player with a ton of potential. The linebacker corps is very strong with the CAA’s leading tackler back in the middle of the field. Matt Evans totaled 156 tackles. He will be joined by Alan Buzbee to form a solid linebacker duo. The concern on defense is in the secondary where three starters need to be replaced. Dino Vasso was a great corner and safety Hugo Souza was second on the team with 95 tackles. The good news is cornerback Kyle Flemings should be the shutdown corner this team needs. The rest of the secondary may be young, but they are pretty talented. How quickly they can adjust to roles as starters will be very important. However, the secondary is set up for success thanks to the consistent pass rush of the front four, most notably McNally.
Weaknesses:
New Hampshire did not have much of a ground game last year. Decker is an elusive quarterback so the numbers may not be as bad this time around, but this team still needs to find a running back or two who can make things happen. Dontra Peters did a pretty good job last season, rushing for 707 yards and seven touchdowns. The former defensive back will get a bulk of the carries again in 2011 and could emerge as a fine back. Chris Setian is expected to be Peters’ complimentary back. With a more experienced offensive line returning, the ground game should be more effective. If that happens, Decker will have more opportunities to find his receivers down field. Terrance Fox was easily UNH’s top receiver a year ago, but Joey Orlando can take over that role. Sean Cullen is a big play receiver who should see more action this year. Chris Chandler and Mickey Mangieri, who is back after missing the 2010 campaign with an injury, will give Decker plenty of options. The offense has some questions. This is a new quarterback and a team that could not effectively run the ball a year ago on a consistent basis. If Decker falters, this team will have to run more. And it remains to be seen if they can do it.
The Bottom Line:
Even if the offense takes a step back, the defense will pick up the slack. Evans and McNally are two of the best players in the conference and they will not let the streak of postseason appearances end on their watch. As usual, the CAA will be tough, but the Wildcats do miss out on playing Delaware this year which should make things slightly easier as they head to their eighth straight playoff appearance.
Projected Postseason: FCS Playoffs
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 127.85 (79th in nation, 10th in conference)
Passing Offense: 220.08 (38, 2)
Total Offense: 347.92 (61, 4)
Scoring Offense: 24.77 (56, 4)
Rushing Defense: 133.15 (38, 6)
Pass Defense: 179.46 (31, 5)
Total Defense: 312.62 (22, 3)
Scoring Defense: 16.46 (5, 3)
Turnover Margin: 1.08 (5, 2)
Sacks: 2.77 (16, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 2.92 (103, 10)
Madness 2011 FCS Football Recruit Rankings:
#59 Austin Heter
#96 Zachary Hundertmark
#120 Mike DeTroia
#138 Daniel Riley
