New Hampshire coach Ricky Santos led the Wildcats to their first Division 1AA/FCS playoff victory at Georgia Southern because the workforce’s quarterback on Nov. 27, 2004.
Santos will try to attain a second postseason victory as UNH’s first-year head coach when the No. 16 Wildcats (9-3) tackle No. 6 Holy Cross (11-0) within the second spherical of the FCS playoffs on Saturday (midday) at Fitton Field in Worcester. Both groups attained their present rank within the FCS Coaches Poll.
Holy Cross, which captured its fourth straight Patriot League title, drew a first-round bye, whereas UNH beat Fordham 52-42 on Nov. 26 in Durham, N.H. Holy Cross beat Fordham 53-52 in additional time at dwelling on Oct. 29.
“Ricky certainly understands the strengths of his team and plays to them really well,” stated Holy coach Bob Chesney, the 2022 Patriot League Coach of the Year. “He is clearly among the finest coaches within the nation, everyone knows that.
“I think watching him do what he has done from Columbia to now here, it’s impressive to watch. It’s an honor just to compete on the field against him. He’s legend up here as a quarterback and a coach and everything that comes with it.”
Santos, who performed scholastically for Bellingham High School, nonetheless owns all the numerous passing data at UNH. During his run from 2004-07, Santos led the Wildcats to 4 straight Division 1AA-FCS appearances. He accomplished 1,024 passes for 13,212 yards and 123 touchdowns.
Santos has achieved nice work with Wildcats’ quarterback Max Brosmer, a 6-2, 214-pound sophomore from Roswell, Ga. Brosmer has appeared in 12 video games and accomplished 242 of 364 passes for two,912 yards and 25 touchdowns.
The Wildcats are greater than a passing present. Tailback Dylan Laube has rushed for 1,153 yards on 228 carries for a 5.1 yards per carry common and 15 touchdowns. Laube has caught 44 passes for 446 yards and two touchdowns and is likely one of the greatest punt and kick return specialists in FCS.
New Hampshire has scored 367 factors for a 30.58 factors per recreation common with 226 first downs.
“You watch that young man (Brosmer), he is so efficient with the ball,” stated Chesney. “He is on time and he understands the complete offense and he understands the place to go together with the ball based mostly on coverages.
“If he gets into a little trouble, he finds that running back pretty quick.”
The Crusaders has an offense that may match the Wildcats blow for blow over 4 quarters. Holy Cross racked up 430 factors in 11 video games for a 39.09 factors per recreation common, good for fifth in FCS, with 2,006 totals speeding yards and a pair of,441 by the air.
Holy Cross twin menace quarterback Matthew Sluka was a primary workforce All-Patriot League and All-New England choice and for good purpose. He accomplished 135 of 224 passes for two,301 yards and 25 touchdowns with three interceptions. He led the Crusaders in speeding with 918 yards and eight touchdowns. Sluka rushed for over 100 yards in 4 video games.
Source: www.bostonherald.com