No. 14: Wildcats return in 2010 hungry for FCS championship

After months of preparation, after spring, summer and fall camps, and after a stellar 2009 campaign, UNH football season is back and hungry for another shot at the Football Championship Subdivision title.

The Wildcats officially open the 2010 season on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Cowell Stadium against Central Connecticut State University. As was the main focus last year, the Wildcats are stressing the importance of defense, particularly stopping the opposing running game.

Last season, UNH finished with an overall record of 10-2 in the regular season, defeating conference powerhouses such as Villanova (then ranked No. 2 in the FCS), Rhode Island and Maine. The only losses the ‘Cats suffered were at the hands of UMass and William and Mary.

In the first round of FCS playoff action, New Hampshire traveled to Lake Charles, Louisiana, and defeated McNeese State University convincingly. It was in the quarterfinals that the Wildcats bowed out to eventual-champion Villanova in blizzard-like conditions.

But despite losing several integral players to graduation and NFL free agency, the Wildcats are back and poised for another exciting season.

Offensively, senior quarterback R.J. Toman returns for his third year at the helm, while talented junior Kevin Decker awaits his turn behind center, but could see action at any point during the season.

Toman is one of four senior captains; two offensive captains and two defensive captains. Joined by Toman is running back Sean Jellison, who rushed for 455 yards and seven touchdowns last season and will see the majority of time as the feature back.

Defensively, captains Dino Vasso at cornerback and Devon Jackson at middle linebacker anchor a solid group of players who were near the top of the Colonial Athletic Association in almost every statistical category a year ago. Jackson led the team in tackles in 2009, while also recording three sacks and forcing one fumble. Vasso was fifth on the team in tackles, but did most of his damage intercepting opponent passes. He recorded five interceptions and 11 pass deflections.

As far as offensive weapons for Toman and Decker go, the most consistent receiver from last year's team was lost last spring to graduation. Tight end Scott Sicko, who was always the go-to guy for Toman, now wears a Dallas Cowboys uniform and is the number three tight end on the Cowboy roster.

But there's no shortage of receivers and tight ends for either quarterback to throw to this season, especially with the return of slot receiver/return man Terrance Fox, who sat out the entire 2009 season. Fox, a senior, joins fellow classmates Kevon Mason and Mike Greene, junior Mickey Mangieri, sophomore Joey Orlando, and junior tight end Chris Jeannot as the primary targets downfield.

The upcoming schedule will be a test in itself for the Wildcats in 2010, as they'll play some of the top teams in the CAA, as well as one of Division I's FBS top 20 teams. UNH opens with CCSU, then immediately travels to Pittsburgh to take on the FBS Panthers at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Sept. 11. Other notable road games include traveling to Orono to face Maine, at James Madison and at defending champion Villanova.

Some of the can't-miss home games include a non-conference contest against Lehigh on Sept. 25, the much anticipated Homecoming matchup with Richmond on Oct. 9, and against the always problematic William and Mary at Cowell Stadium on Nov. 6.

One game that everyone, if it's possible, should try to attend is the Oct. 23 matchup with UMass at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution.

This season should prove to be an exciting and promising one for the Wildcats. Come support the team as they kickoff their season at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Cowell Stadium.