By Ryan Barry
NEFJ Correspondent

DURHAM, NH – As the sun set on a picture perfect evening in Durham, the New Hampshire Wildcats closed spring practices with their annual Blue and White Game.

Split into two quarters and an overtime head-to-head competition, head coach Rick Santos gave his team plenty of opportunities to compete.

“I thought it was good and was a spirited effort,” said Santos. “We accomplished what we wanted to, we hit some good situational football, and everybody seemed to stay healthy which ultimately was the end goal of this thing.”

While the offense started a bit slow, they picked things up as the day went on. Junior quarterback Max Brosmer (17/29, 206 YDS, 3 TDS) had a solid day under center, with redshirt freshman Barry Kleinpeter (10/19, 83 YDS) doing all he could under frequent pressure.

With spring ball having the potential to favor the defensive side of the ball due to familiarity of schemes, it seemed like a reasonable explanation for the offense’s early struggles. For Max Brosmer, however, he felt it could go both ways,

“I think it’s two fold, they know what we’re doing but we know what they’re doing too,” noted Brosmer. “It’s a good even matchup.”

Two of Brosmer’s returning wideouts, sophomores Joey Corcoran (6 REC, 137 YDS, 1 TD) and DJ Linkins (6 REC, 64 YDS), had productive games.

The pass catcher on everyone’s mind after the game though was graduate transfer Logan Tomlinson (4 REC, 36 YDS, 2 TDS) out of Division III Wesleyan, who looked incredibly comfortable out on the field in his FCS debut.

“He’s integrated himself very fast and efficiently into this offense and proven that he can be a starting “x” for us,” said Santos. “He did a great job tonight.”

Following two seasons at Wesleyan, Tomlinson felt he could make it at the division one level. After entering the portal and hearing from several CAA schools he made the decision to come to Durham after only a few visits.

“It was a very quick turnaround,” said Tomlinson. “I graduated in December and had to commit by December.”

While their connection may be young, Tomlinson sees a bright future ahead with Brosmer, receiving the third most targets on the day.

With the team split into team “wild” and team “cat,” both quarterbacks saw time on each squad. In the first 15 minute frame neither offensive unit moved the ball. Each quarterback would lead a drive across the 50 yard line at least once, but no real scoring threat came.

After a fun big man punt reception competition at halftime, which redshirt freshman Beau Riley would go on to win, things picked up in the second 15 minutes. A promising drive from Brosmer to the opposing  25 yard line ended in a self-inflicted fumble that saw the ball come loose from his hands as he moved about the pocket.

Arguably the most noteworthy play of the game to that point would come on the next drive. As Kleinpeter threw a dart over the middle to freshman tight end Drew Danson, junior safety Duncan Moreland cracked Danson in the chest to knock the ball out for an incompletion.

On the ensuing drive the game would have its first points of the evening, as Max Brosmer would hit Joey Corcoran with a clean 45 yard pass to register the day’s first touchdown.

Another quick break shortly after would welcome the overtime period. This segment would produce a little more intensity with points being awarded to the offense for a first down and touchdowns, and the defense being awarded for registering stops. Despite two blocked kicks from the defense/special teams unit, both of Tomlinson’s touchdowns from Brosmer would push their unit ahead to close out the day with a win.

The Wildcats will hope to use this momentum and bring it into summer camp before opening up the season at Stonehill on Saturday, September 2.