Hens travel to struggling UNH

By Greg Arent The Review

October 5, 2007

Newark, DE (CSTV U-WIRE) -- Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler said New Hampshire senior quarterback Ricky Santos and the high-powered Wildcats' offense is enough to give anyone a headache.

There is good reason for Keeler and the rest of the Delaware football team to worry about Santos and the Wildcats' offense - last year Santos torched the Hens' defense to the tune of 281 yards and three touchdowns in the air. He also rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 52-49 victory.

Keeler said he knows this is his team's biggest challenge yet, and the UNH offense the Hens face tomorrow will be similar to the one that dominated Delaware last season.

"Tremendous offense, they're doing the master's level or Ph.D. level of spread football," Keeler said. "They spread you in so many ways and they cause conflicts, they make you defend the entire field to a level that's pretty impressive."

He said he expects another high-powered offensive shootout as the Wildcats' defense has been weak this year. He said he is positive about Delaware's defense this year and looks forward to seeing how the Hens will handle their first big challenge of the season.

He said Delaware's depth will help against the Wildcats because he will be able to keep his players fresh by making many substitutions. The team should benefit because the Wildcats' starting offensive lineman Glenn Waldron, a main protector of Santos, is doubtful for the game with a concussion.

"When we talk about stopping Ricky Santos, the key things are keeping him in the pocket - I'd like to make him a pocket passer if possible," Keeler said. "[Last year], we had six third-and-10's or more that he beat us with his feet. He's going to make people miss."

"Whatever the outcome is, I'll be happy never to have to see him again."

Hens' senior defensive lineman Jeremy Kametz said he is confident the defense will perform better this year against New Hampshire and is convinced Delaware has what it takes to slow down Santos.

Kametz said the defense is 100-times better than last year, as they have gained speed and strength in the off-season and have gotten back their swagger. He is playing in his normal position of defensive tackle as he saw time last year as a defensive end when injuries occurred.

"I like playing in the middle, it's a lot more physical. Then you got Marcorelle and Talley on the outside. Those two are two of the great defensive ends in the league," Kametz said. "Just having the right guys in the right spots, it makes things a lot better scheme-wise and blitzing and the whole defensive chemistry."

Keeler said the game will be fun for fans to watch because they get to see two of the top quarterbacks the league has ever seen. Santos has a chance for his second-straight Walter Payton award, while senior quarterback Joe Flacco should also be a contender for the honor.

New Hampshire head coach Sean McDonnell had plenty of praise for Delaware's entire team.

"It all starts with Marcorelle. I watch him play and I see a kid whose not only athletic but can run and pick things up at the point of attack," McDonnell said. "I think the kid Talley is a pretty good football player and I think we are going to have a hell of a challenge up here at Durham this week."

McDonnell said it will be a tough challenge for his young defensive line, which features two sophomores, to overcome the veteran Delaware offensive line that includes three seniors, a junior and a sophomore.

Delaware senior offensive lineman Rich Beverley is playing in his 41st straight game and his 27th consecutive start Saturday, which are both Delaware records.

He stressed how important it was to know the Hens have a balanced, cohesive offensive line every week.

Beverley said he is proud of how the team has prepared for each of the previous games and knows the players have prepared well for New Hampshire.

"I want to be a consistent player and being out there every week is part of it," he said.