Usually when the Massachusetts football team faces New Hampshire, the game means a lot more than it will Saturday when the two teams meet - at least for the Minutemen.
After losing last Saturday to Maine, 21-20, on a missed extra point by kicker Armando Cuko, No. 22 UMass severely hurt its chances at making the playoffs. A win against No. 13 UNH and Hofstra in the season finale likely won't be enough for the Minutemen.
However, Saturday's game won't be just a pushover by any means. The Wildcats (7-2, 4-2 Colonial Athletic Association) have one of the league's most powerful and efficient offenses.
Despite losing last week's game against No. 6 Villanova, 24-13, UNH heads into Saturday's game looking for a win in an effort to better its postseason positioning with one game left.
Heading this endeavor will be Wildcat quarterback R.J. Toman. Toman has amassed 2,188 yards this season, throwing 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Toman's main receiving threat is senior Mike Boyle. The 5-foot-8 wide receiver leads the Wildcats in both receptions (49) and yards (724). He also shares the team lead in touchdowns (seven) with tight end Scott Sicko.
Sicko ranks second on the team in receptions (39) and yards (469). Sicko averages 52.1 yards receiving per game and 12 yards per catch.
Terrance Fox, Travis Negron, Matt O'Brien and Chad Kackert all have over 100 receiving yards, giving the Wildcats an array of receivers that Toman can throw to. The numbers show that UNH spreads the ball around and does not rely on just one receiver.
Although New Hampshire throws more often than it runs (271-101 plays), UNH starting running back Robert Simpson has rushed for 521 yards and six touchdowns. Secondary running back Chad Kackert has amassed 368 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging eight-yards per carry.
UMass coach Don Brown is familiar with the Wildcats, having played them three times in the two previous seasons, and he expects a strong running attack from UNH this weekend.
"They've always come in and try to run the ball on us and then have gone to the air attack," Brown said. "I don't see them doing much different."
But the Wildcat offense isn't the team's only strong point this season.
New Hampshire boasts an impressive running defense that has held opponents to only 3.2 yards per carry and 12 rushing touchdowns. By limiting opponents' ground game, the Wildcats force opponents to become one-dimensional with the passing game.
Throwing on the Wildcats has been troubling for opposing offenses. New Hampshire has intercepted 15 passes this season. Defensive backs Ryan Hinds and Dino Vasso have each picked off four passes. Vasso also leads the team in tackles, with 71.
Despite the amount of passes UNH has intercepted, it still allows a big chunk of passing yards to its opponents. The Wildcats have surrendered 242 passing yards per game and 10.1 yards per catch, while letting the opposition score 14 times through the air.
Either way, the Minutemen will have their hands full defensively, especially with Sean Smalls injured, but cornerback Courtney Robinson welcomes the challenge.
"I'm always looking forward to a passing team, that is the reason why I play corner," Robinson said. "I'm pretty sure the whole secondary is looking forward to the challenge."
Ryan Fleming can be reached at rfleming@dailycollegian.com.
Be the first to comment on this article!