UNHFOOTBALL-CAA-LEADING112STRAIGHTWEEKSRANKEDIN TOP25
2012 SEASON PREVIEW
SAFETY New Hampshire’s 4-2-5 defense emphasizes the importance of the safety position, employing a ‘free’, ‘strike’ and ‘whip’ safety. Chris Beranger (5-11, 195) capitalized on his first season as the first-string free safety by starting all 12 games and becoming one of the CAA’s most potent defensive backs. The Winthrop, Mass., native compiled 142 tackles, the fourth most in school history. He ranked third in the CAA and ninth in the nation with 11.8 tackles/game and led the ‘Cats in tackles seven times. Beranger posted double-digit stops in eight games, tallied an interception, a sack, two forced fumbles and tied for team-high distinction with five pass breakups. A year ago, Manny Asam (6-0, 184)was making the transition from wide receiver to defensive back. Now the junior is entrenched as the starting strike safety coming off a season that saw him record 75 tackles while starting all 12 contests. The Bloomfield, N.J., native notched three interceptions, added four pass breakups, a sack and a fumble recovery. The whip safety job is up for grabs following the graduation of Rod Walker. Tre Williams (6-3, 194) is the most experienced of the candidates to step into that role. The Syracuse, N.Y., native battled through injuries to rack up 20 tackles, 17 solo, in eight games. Nick Cefalo (6-2, 190) is back in the mix after earning playing time in five games as a true freshman in ’11, and competition should be fierce among sophomore Tim Pike (5-10, 199) and redshirt freshmen Khyheem Finley (5-10, 193) and Keith Parkinson (6-1, 191) to gain a stronger foothold on the depth chart. CORNERBACK Junior Chris Houston (5-9, 170) took a major stride forward in 2011 by leading the Wildcats with six interceptions as the starting ‘field’ cornerback for all 12 contests. The Harrisburg,
Chris Houston
Chris Beranger Pa., native snatched five picks in the final four games of the season and concluded the year with 57 tackles, including 43 unassisted stops, which ranked tops among CBs. Sophomore Steven Thames (6-0, 181) served as the primary backup at corner last season and, with the departure of Kyle Flemings, will be looking to fill that vacancy opposite Houston in ’12. The Fort Washington, Md., native totaled seven tackles in eight games, seeing most of his action on special teams. D.J. Moss (5-10, 166), Kalil Bailey (5-10, 172) and Lamar Edmonds (5-10, 165) lead the redshirt freshmen who will be in the mix for significant playing time. KICKING/PUNTING Junior Mike MacArthur (5-10, 184) is geared up for his third year as starting place-kicker and will enter the fall looking to get the nod at punter for the second consecutive season. The All-CAA Second Team kicker went 15-for-18 (83.3%) with a long kick of 47 yards last season while converting 40 of 43 PATs for a team-leading 85 points. The North Hampton, N.H., native averaged 38.3 yards per punt with a long of 59 yards. Among those who will get a closer look as potential backups are junior Nick Pellino (6-1, 208), sophomores Brad Prasky (6-1, 185) and Anthony Guidice (5-8, 164) and redshirt freshman Christian Breda (6-2, 181). KICK/PUNT RETURNS Peters ranked third in the CAA with 24.6 yard per kickoff return and tied a school record with 31 kick returns (Corey Graham, 2005) last season. He returns along with both Steriti (13 returns-278 yards) and Harris (13 returns-212 yards), who bring experience to that facet of the game. Orlando is in line for a second straight year as the primary punt-return specialist a season after averaging 10.6 yards/return, highlighted by 56yard TD at Lehigh.
WWW.UNHWILDCATS.COM
2012 UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FOOTBALL 2009 New Hampshire Football 13 • 13 •