The UNH offense
Max Brosmer is back, three years later, to build off a true freshman season in 2019 when he led the team to a 6-5 record while starting the last 10 games.
After the 2020 season was lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brosmer started in a loss to UAlbany in what became a one-game season in the spring of 2021. He suffered a knee injury in preseason camp last year and missed the season.
Brosmer likes how far the offense has come so far.
"We're rolling right now," he said. "It's a new look and a new feel and I'm very excited to showcase it on Thursday. Not going to reveal too much. Going to stick with that. Pretty excited to get out there with the guys."
Santos has made it clear the Wildcats want to get the running game established early to utilize the talents of junior running back
Dylan Laube, who led the CAA in all-purpose yards last year, and sophomore
Isaac Seide.
Seniors Espanet and
Sean Coyne and junior Charlies Briscoe III are listed as the starting receivers and junior
Kyle Lepkowski is at tight end and. The group seems deep with redshirt freshman
Joey Corcoran, grad transfers
Heron Maurisseau and
Andrew Edgar and freshman
DJ Linkinsamong the weapons as pass catchers.
Juniors
Osho Omoyeni at center and
David Perry Jr. and
Matt O'Neill at the guard spots with sophomore
Dylan Poirier at right tackle join Flynn on the offensive line.
The Defense
Kvietkus at defensive tackle and Silver at one of the end spots are two of the keys on defense. Redshirt freshman
Dylan Ruizis listed as the other starter at end and sophomore
Neil Politano is at defensive tackle. Grad student
Pierce DeVaughn, a transfer from UConn, will be a factor at end as well.
"Any time I see No. 9 (Kvietkus), No. 8 (Silver), all those guys up front, that's music to my ears," said Bush, the strong safety. "I know they're going to make plays. It' going to make our job easier on the back end. Instead of us having to blitz to get pressure, we can send our four guys in. That's more people in coverage, less time for the quarterback. They have to think about what Josiah's doing, what Niko's doing."
Led by Silver (he led the league in sacks with 12.5) the Wildcats were tied for second-best in the league with 31 total sacks last year. Silver was tied for tops in the league with six forced fumbles.
Linebacking might be strength of the entire team, even with sophomore
Oleh Manzyk still sidelined by injury.
Junior
Bryce Shaw and sophomore
Ryan Toscano are listed as the starters and sophomore
Zedane Williams and redshirt freshmen
Brandon Perkins and
Max Tillett will all be in the mix.
Santos is excited about how the defensive backfield is developing with Bush and junior
Max Oxendine back from injury at safety spots with sophomore
Noah Stansbury and junior
Randall Harris at the corners.
Stansbury moved from safety to corner and has been impressive.
"He's made a ton of plays," Santos said. "It's tough to throw and catch on him right now."
Stansbury led the team with three interceptions last year and Bush and Harris each had a couple.