DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire (UNH) head coach Sean McDonnell announced Monday morning that his star sophomore quarterback Max Brosmer has suffered a torn ACL and will not play a snap this season. This news coming just three days before the team is set the kickoff from Stony Brook. 

“[Brosmer] is as disappointed as any of the kids I’ve had that have gotten that kind of injury,” said McDonnell. “He’s a kid that’s invested a lot into getting better.” 

The head coach noted that this was a contact injury and Brosmer will be getting surgery to repair the knee within two weeks. Brosmer came to UNH with a knee injury out of high school and McDonnell explained that his quarterback was the fastest and strongest he’s been since getting to Durham spring of 2019. This week’s injury was not sustained to the same knee that Brosmer had previously injured. 

Sophomore Bret Edwards has now been named the starter for week one at Stony Brook. Edwards beat out Brosmer for the job ahead of week one in 2019 at Holy Cross. Brosmer took over for his counterpart at halftime of that game and didn’t relent the job until now.  

“Bret was the guy,” emphasized McDonnell. “He’s a talented kid and I’m looking forward to seeing how he’s grown. I think he’s really grown from last spring to where he is right now. I’m excited for the kid to have an opportunity and so is he. So, we’re looking forward to it to be honest.” 

Edwards won the job back in 2019 after his performance in the team’s Blue-White scrimmage to end training camp. The Massachusetts native was 18-for-19 totaling 176 yards and two scores in that scrimmage. 

McDonnell made sure to note how well Edwards has looked in practice as well as first-year quarterback Brody McAndrew who has been named the backup for week one. 

In terms of game plan, the Seawolves won’t have to veer too far from what they were expecting from Brosmer according to McDonnell. He highlighted that Edwards possessed more elusiveness than Brosmer, but when the Georgian had returned this summer, he began to show a similar skillset to Edwards. 

“We feel very comfortable with the offense we’ve got. Obviously, we want to play to Bret’s strengths as much as we can, but I think much of the offense will be the same and we’ll be okay with that.” 

Edwards will be surrounded by a veteran group on offense led by junior running back Carlos Washington Jr. McDonnell explained that the offense will play through his running backs unit; however, the wide receiver corps has emerged as one of the more talented units on the roster. Junior Brian Espanet remains the leader of this group, but junior Sean Coyne made his mark on March 5 against UAlbany. Coyne had five receptions for 34 yards and two scores in the lone game this spring. 

Two other Wildcats have found themselves on the injury report for week one. Sophomore safety Max Oxendine is dealing with turf toe, and sophomore wideout Griffin Helm will be out with a hamstring. 

The Wildcats will make the trip to Long Island on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s kickoff. This will be the conference’s first game of the fall slate after much of the conference bowed out of the spring schedule just a few months ago.  

Listen to Sean McDonnell’s full press conference on Wildcats Press Pass.

Photo courtesy of Cameron Beall