University of New Hampshire Athletics
Senior Malik Love will likely be one of UNH's top receivers this fall. (Photo by Kendra Middleton)
8/16/2019 3:28:00 PM | Football, UNH Insider
DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire football team's passing game is getting a lot of attention in fall camp these days as the Wildcats work toward their Saturday, Sept. 7 season opening game at Holy Cross.
While much of the spotlight has been on the quarterback job where the Wildcats are looking for a starter, there's a need on the other end of the throw-and-catch combination as well.
Head coach Sean McDonnell and wide receivers coach Michael Ferzoco are hoping explosive senior Malik Love, who missed most of last season with a hamstring injury, can return to the form he showed in his first two years with the team and lead the way at wide receiver.
The signs have been positive thus far.
"Malik is doing well," McDonnell said. "He had a heckua summer. Finally, you can see him playing at the explosive speed he played at as a freshman and sophomore. Towards the end of last spring you started to see some flashes. This summer he did a great job of taking care of his body, of really doing a great job of rehabbing and everyone's starting to use the term of pre-habbing, preventing injuries and taking care of soft tissue. And he works at it."
The Wildcats started practicing in full pads earlier in the week, held their Media Day on Wednesday in Wildcat Stadium and are taking aim at their Blue-White game that wraps up fall camp on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m.
A meet-and-greet for season ticket members, featuring a chance to hear from coach McDonnell and his staff and hear about this year's team, will be held after the Blue-White game. Season ticket member prices start at $99 and they can be purchased by CLICKING HERE or by calling 603-862-4000.
Group tickets starting at $9 per ticket and individual tickets for all games, including Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m. against Elon, are also available by CLICKING HERE and by calling 603-862-4000.
UNH plays its home opener and begins play in the Colonial Athletic Association in a game against the University of Rhode Island on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. for Youth Sports Night. Free bucket hats will be given to the first 2,000 fans that night.
Love and the other Wildcat receivers will be aiming to replace the production of the graduated Neil O'Connor, who finished his career third in both receiving yards and catches in UNH history behind R.J. Harris (2011-14) and David Ball (2003-06). O'Connor had 3,117 receiving yards on 235 catches.
Love, 5-10 and 183 pounds, is from Alcoa, Tenn. and did a post graduate season at the Holderness School in New Hampshire.
After redshirting his first year at UNH, he made an immediate impact when he got on the field in 2016.
Love led the team in catches that year with 59 for 520 yards. As a sophomore, he had 70 catches for 733 yards and he comes into this season with 131 catches for 1,268 career receiving yards.
"Malik's a competitive, competitive kid," McDonnell said. "Tough kid who as a receiver brings a little edge to him and I hope he can bring that to the rest of the guys on the team."
The leading returners from last season in catches are a pair of running backs, Carlos Washington, Jr., with 17, and senior running back Evan Gray, with 12. Senior tight end Justin Malone-Woods had nine.
Among wide receivers, senior Mike Vailas and sophomore Brian Espanet had three catches each.
Who might emerge out of the group remains to be seen.
"That's something that's going to be answered," McDonnell said. "You've got Espanet. You've got Mike Vailas. You've got (sophomore) BJ Hill. You've got (redshirt freshman) Charles Briscoe. C.J. Turner's been hurt with a hamstring again this summer. He's expected to give us depth."
After practice Thursday, McDonnell said that freshman receiver Griffin Helm has had an impressive camp thus far.
McDonnell mentioned defensive back Tyrell Wiggins, linebackers Oleh Manzyk and Zedane Williams and offensive lineman Dylan Poirier as other freshmen who have opened eyes early in camp.
MENTALLY TOUGH QBS
Freshman Max Brosmer, redshirt freshman Bret Edwards and sophomore Tommy Herion, who saw a little playing time last season and is the only quarterback with collegiate experience, continue to be the leading candidates for the starting job.
"The first thing I want is a guy who's accurate and understands where the ball needs to go," said quarterbacks coach Ricky Santos. "We're throwing a lot of stuff at these guys. We practice really, really fast. We play at a frenetic pace so the games slow down. Within that I want a guy that can just move the chains and make his teammates better. . . . We need guys that are mentally tough. We need leaders out there. Football's a game where adversity is going to set in. Can they be somebody who inspires hope in their teammates?"
WILDCAT NOTES
OFFICIAL UNH GEAR:
Allen Lessels
@UNHInsider
Allen.Lessels@unh.edu
While much of the spotlight has been on the quarterback job where the Wildcats are looking for a starter, there's a need on the other end of the throw-and-catch combination as well.
Head coach Sean McDonnell and wide receivers coach Michael Ferzoco are hoping explosive senior Malik Love, who missed most of last season with a hamstring injury, can return to the form he showed in his first two years with the team and lead the way at wide receiver.
The signs have been positive thus far.
"Malik is doing well," McDonnell said. "He had a heckua summer. Finally, you can see him playing at the explosive speed he played at as a freshman and sophomore. Towards the end of last spring you started to see some flashes. This summer he did a great job of taking care of his body, of really doing a great job of rehabbing and everyone's starting to use the term of pre-habbing, preventing injuries and taking care of soft tissue. And he works at it."
The Wildcats started practicing in full pads earlier in the week, held their Media Day on Wednesday in Wildcat Stadium and are taking aim at their Blue-White game that wraps up fall camp on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m.
A meet-and-greet for season ticket members, featuring a chance to hear from coach McDonnell and his staff and hear about this year's team, will be held after the Blue-White game. Season ticket member prices start at $99 and they can be purchased by CLICKING HERE or by calling 603-862-4000.
Group tickets starting at $9 per ticket and individual tickets for all games, including Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m. against Elon, are also available by CLICKING HERE and by calling 603-862-4000.
UNH plays its home opener and begins play in the Colonial Athletic Association in a game against the University of Rhode Island on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. for Youth Sports Night. Free bucket hats will be given to the first 2,000 fans that night.
Love and the other Wildcat receivers will be aiming to replace the production of the graduated Neil O'Connor, who finished his career third in both receiving yards and catches in UNH history behind R.J. Harris (2011-14) and David Ball (2003-06). O'Connor had 3,117 receiving yards on 235 catches.
Love, 5-10 and 183 pounds, is from Alcoa, Tenn. and did a post graduate season at the Holderness School in New Hampshire.
After redshirting his first year at UNH, he made an immediate impact when he got on the field in 2016.
Love led the team in catches that year with 59 for 520 yards. As a sophomore, he had 70 catches for 733 yards and he comes into this season with 131 catches for 1,268 career receiving yards.
"Malik's a competitive, competitive kid," McDonnell said. "Tough kid who as a receiver brings a little edge to him and I hope he can bring that to the rest of the guys on the team."
The leading returners from last season in catches are a pair of running backs, Carlos Washington, Jr., with 17, and senior running back Evan Gray, with 12. Senior tight end Justin Malone-Woods had nine.
Among wide receivers, senior Mike Vailas and sophomore Brian Espanet had three catches each.
Who might emerge out of the group remains to be seen.
"That's something that's going to be answered," McDonnell said. "You've got Espanet. You've got Mike Vailas. You've got (sophomore) BJ Hill. You've got (redshirt freshman) Charles Briscoe. C.J. Turner's been hurt with a hamstring again this summer. He's expected to give us depth."
After practice Thursday, McDonnell said that freshman receiver Griffin Helm has had an impressive camp thus far.
McDonnell mentioned defensive back Tyrell Wiggins, linebackers Oleh Manzyk and Zedane Williams and offensive lineman Dylan Poirier as other freshmen who have opened eyes early in camp.
MENTALLY TOUGH QBS
Freshman Max Brosmer, redshirt freshman Bret Edwards and sophomore Tommy Herion, who saw a little playing time last season and is the only quarterback with collegiate experience, continue to be the leading candidates for the starting job.
"The first thing I want is a guy who's accurate and understands where the ball needs to go," said quarterbacks coach Ricky Santos. "We're throwing a lot of stuff at these guys. We practice really, really fast. We play at a frenetic pace so the games slow down. Within that I want a guy that can just move the chains and make his teammates better. . . . We need guys that are mentally tough. We need leaders out there. Football's a game where adversity is going to set in. Can they be somebody who inspires hope in their teammates?"
WILDCAT NOTES
- The 2019 season begins at Holy Cross on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.
- Group tickets starting at $9 and individual game tickets for UNH's five home games in Wildcat Stadium are available by calling 603-862-4000 or by CLICKING HERE.
- Season tickets, starting at $99, may also be renewed at 603-862-4000 and by CLICKING HERE.
- The Wildcats begin a stretch of three straight home games with the Youth Sports Night contest against URI, presented by Core Power, on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.
- UNH plays Duquesne on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. in the first "Ruffing the Passer" game, featuring $1 hot dogs.
- The Wildcats face Elon for Homecoming, with halftime presented by Dr. Pepper, on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 3:30 p.m.
- The other home games are against Villanova for STEM Day on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. and against Maine on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day in the battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket.
OFFICIAL UNH GEAR:
- Check out UNHShop.com for the latest in official UNH Wildcats' merchandise.
Allen Lessels
@UNHInsider
Allen.Lessels@unh.edu
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