UMaine QB top rookie Williams, Richardson on first team in A-10

University of Maine quarterback Ron Whitcomb, who established an Atlantic-10 freshman record by throwing for an average of 220.7 yards per game, has been named the league’s Rookie of the Year.

Delaware quarterback Andy Hall and end Shawn Johnson were the offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively, Rhode Island’s Wendall Williams was the special teams player of the year, and Massachusetts’ Mark Whipple was league’s top coach in voting among the coaches.

Meanwhile, Black Bear junior running back Marcus Williams and senior tackle Pete Richardson of Millinocket were first team selections. Both were second team choices a year ago.

Center Mike Leconte of South Portland and tight end Dante Fusco, both juniors, were second team selections and junior wide receiver Christian Pereira was a third team pick. All three were first-time selections.

On defense, senior end Dennis Dottin-Carter was a second team pick along with junior free safety Brandon McGowan. Third team picks included senior nose tackle Dan Joslyn, junior tackle Pat Pa’u and senior linebacker Fred Lazo.

Dottin-Carter was a first team choice last year while the others are making their first appearances on an All-Atlantic 10 team.

Redshirt freshman Whitcomb was the league’s third-leading passer as he completed 186 of 329 passes for 2,428 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was intercepted 10 times. He set an A-10 freshman record by throwing for 432 yards in a 47-27 loss at New Hampshire on Saturday.

He is the third player in program history to earn Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors as he joins Rich LaBonte (1981) and Carl Smith (1988).

“Ron got better every day,” said Maine assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Bob Wilder. “He’s one of those guys who comes along only once in a while. He’s very exciting to work with as a coach because he takes everything you say and tries to improve on it every day. Those guys are few and far between.

“His number one strength is his work ethic. The second thing is he is as strong a quarterback as I’ve ever coached. He can do over 500 pounds in the squat and has impressive numbers [in other weight training lifts]. He has excellent lower body strength [that] not a lot of quarterbacks have and it helps his escape capability in the pocket. He can stand tall and take hits. He also has an excellent arm that is still developing.”

He also said Whitcomb is a “take-charge type of leader that a quarterback has to be. He was one of the best leaders on our team.”

Wilder said Whitcomb benefited from the redshirt year to learn the offense and terminology.

“If he continues to progress, he has a chance to break every record at the school and some of the conference records,” Wilder said.

Williams led the A-10 in rushing with 1,284 yards on 248 carries (5.2 yards per carry). He scored 12 touchdowns and caught six passes for 52 yards.

“Marcus had an exceptional year considering all the injuries he had this season,” said Wilder, who pointed out that Williams tore a knee ligament against UMass on Sept. 20 and also had elbow and wrist injuries before playing the UNH game with a case of bronchitis.

“He has such great vision. He knows what he’s doing. He is as smart a tailback as I’ve ever coached. He’s unquestionably the best back in the league,” said Wilder.

Richardson led an offensive line that helped produce 376.5 yards and 27 points per game.

“He was, by far, our best offensively lineman and nobody else in the league is close to him,” said Wilder. “He had a phenomenal year. He has an excellent chance to be a first team All-American.”

Leconte was another key ingredient on the offensive line and Fusco caught 13 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown while also providing blocking help.

Pereira caught 52 passes for 820 yards and 10 TDs. He had 14 catches for 198 yards against New Hampshire.

On defense, McGowan was involved in 85 tackles and had an interception while Dottin-Carter was in on 43 tackles and registered six sacks.

Lazo was involved in 72 tackles and had two interceptions, Joslyn was in on 33 tackles including seven sacks, and Pa’u had two sacks among his 39 tackles.