 "Photo: Chris Shipley")
The UNH football team will be the host of its annual Blue/White Scrimmage this Saturday, May 3. The action is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. at Cowell Stadium.
The spring game will give coaches, fans and media a chance to see many young faces in key positions, especially at quarterback where sophomore R.J. Toman and redshirt freshman Kevin Decker have been in the midst of a healthy competition throughout the spring. Toman entered the spring owning game experience from last season due to a shoulder injury to starter Ricky Santos, but Decker has shown that he can throw the ball well and has made steady improvement.
Head coach Sean McDonnell has announced that this year the roster will be split into two teams, a blue and white team, and Toman is on the blue squad and Decker the white.
The UNH defense has a new look, especially on the line where several key players have bulked up to near or over 280 pounds, which could help improve their ability to stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback as well. Three key players who have increased in size in the weight room include junior T.J. Taylor at 285 pounds, sophomore Steve Young, also at 285 pounds and junior Jordan Long at 275 pounds.
A player who was up-and-coming at linebacker, junior Sean Ware is an interesting story as he returns from a major knee injury. He joins outstanding veteran linebacker Matt Parent and several other talented young LBs who are looking to make an immediate impact.
In the defensive backfield UNH has some good young talent and will be led by an All-Conference performer in senior John Clements at corner.
UNH is loaded at the tight end position and will be led by an All-American candidate in junior Scott Sicko. Sicko is the top returning receiver from last season with 51 catches for 619 yards and six TDs.
UNH's offensive line is experienced, big, and strong, but several of the expected starters may be out Saturday recovering from past injuries. When healthy, UNH could feature four game-tested seniors and a junior in the trenches, all near, or over 300 pounds, in addition to many talented second-stringers who have taken advantage of their experience this spring.
In the skill positions nagging injuries may be a factor on Saturday, but the offense has several key players at running back and wide receiver with experience and speed, such as senior wide receiver Mike Boyle, sophomore wide receiver J. T. Wright, junior running back Chad Kackert, senior running back Robert Simpson and sophomore running back Sean Jellison.
UNH will open the 2008 season on Sept. 6 at Army, and will play their home-opener on Sept. 20 vs. Albany. Game time is 12 p.m. at Cowell Stadium.
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