UNH Wildcats Football Looks to New Quarterback as Santos Joins NFL Chiefs
The football team at the University of New Hampshire has never been so popular. Home games have filled up and recent stars such as the graduating Ricky Santos and David Ball of the class of ’07 have made tailgating the thing to do on a Saturday afternoon in Durham. This season will see a new Wildcats team take the field with significant roster changes, but the same desire to reach the NCAA playoffs as they have the last four years in a row.
The departing fan favorite and standout quarterback, Ricky Santos, is currently trying to pull off a come-from-behind story as he did at UNH when he first arrived. As the owner of nearly all of UNH’s passing records he just this May signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Chief’s starter will be Brodie Croyle, Santos is looking to compete for the #3 spot in the quarterback position.
This year, R.J. Toman, a sophomore, looks to be the future quarterback for the Division I-AA Wildcats. During the team’s annual Spring Blue/White scrimmage, the Mission Viejo, California native completed 13 of 22 passes for 155 yards with one interception and one touchdown. Redshirt freshman Kevin Decker of Armonk, New York was impressive as well as he completed 13 out of 20 attempts for 192 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
UNH fans still remember recent UNH football greats like David Ball who broke Jerry Rice's Division I-AA record for touchdown receptions with 58 for the Wildcats and turned pro after graduating in ‘07. He too reached the NFL as an undrafted free agent and has spent time with the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets. Currently at 23, he’s on the Jet’s practice squad. Former defensive back Etienne Boulay is also on the roster with him there.
The UNH football team will kick off the 2008 campaign on Sept. 6 at Army. The team will play its home-opener on Sept. 20 vs. Albany. Game time is 12 p.m. at Cowell Stadium and tickets are available online at www.unhwildcats.com.