Less than two weeks since Ricky Santos took over as interim head coach following the departure of Coach Sean McDonnell, the Wildcats have found their starting quarterback for week one at Holy Cross. Redshirt first-year Bret Edwards will be leading his team into Worcester on Saturday afternoon to open the season. 

“That was a very tough choice,” said Coach Santos at his opening press conference on Wednesday. “We went back and forth, every other day we felt that one of the other kids could’ve gotten the job.” 

When Edwards found out he got the job on Monday, he admitted the news didn’t set in right away. 

“It was amazing,” Edwards stated simply when asked about receiving the news. 

Santos said Edwards’ mobility and performance at the Blue-White scrimmage put him over the top but is not ruling out the possibility of first-year quarterback Max Brosmer seeing the field as well. 

“We see them as 1-A and 1-B. We have total confidence in Brosmer that he can play if his number is called. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get Max in there as well and get him acclimated and up to game speed.” 

Since Santos joined the staff in the spring, he along with the rest of the coaching staff felt that Edwards had the athletic tools to make it here, although success will not come without hard work. The coaching staff needed to see the redshirt first-year fill out more of a leadership role. Edwards agreed that it took a lot of work to earn the starting job. 

“As time went on, I sat back and thought about where I should be, and I just worked harder and harder. I did a lot of stuff in the film room and the weight room. Now I’m here. Last year I was just a young kid, this year I’ve gotten a lot deeper into coverages, knowing where to throw the ball when I need to, cancelling stuff out, and just having a better mindset when I go out there.” 

Coach Santos had one message for his young quarterback before Saturday. 

“Don’t feel like you have to win the game on every snap.” 

As for the opposition, Coach Santos has very high praise for the Holy Cross coaching staff and their team, even going as far to say that Bob Chesney is as good of a young coach as you’ll find in the country. 

“They play hard and they have the same kind of traits and DNA that we have in our program.” 

Edwards had praise for the Holy Cross defense but is keeping things simple. 

“We just have to find the open spots, make our reads, and make plays.