Former running back Peters becoming a standout in UNH secondary

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When Dontra Peters moved from running back to cornerback for the University of New Hampshire, the expectations were reasonable. The Wildcats thought Peters would add size (5-foot-11, 200 pounds), athleticism (led UNH in rushing in 2010 and ’11), leadership (senior captain) and depth to the corner position, which was already headed by Chris Houston (league-high six interceptions last year).

What the New Hampshire staff didn’t expect, at least not publicly, was for Peters to become a defensive star, but that seems to be happening. Peters won his second Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week Award after he had an interception, a forced fumble and five tackles in UNH’s 40-20 win at Rhode Island last Saturday.

“He made a great play on the interception in the end zone (stopping a 75-yard drive from URI) and then a hustle strip on the forced fumble, so we’re very pleased,” New Hampshire Coach Sean McDonnell said. “Again, it was a very unselfish act by this kid. He was an all-conference running back two years ago and then last year he was the second all-purpose kid in the conference (1,533 all-purpose yards) and then he makes a decision to come over to defense and he’s doing a pretty good job for us.”

Peters has four interceptions on the season (which ties him for first in the CAA and eighth in the FCS), a team-high four pass breakups and 43 total tackles, fifth on the team. He’s put up those numbers, and made such a smooth transition to defense, despite toe and knee injuries that have kept him out of two games (Oct. 6 at Georgia State and Oct. 20 at Maine) and limited his practice time.

“He’s been able to practice, but not to the full extent that we can get him day in and day out and get everything we need,” McDonnell said. “He’s still in a learning mode over there, which is part of needing to practice … but when he he’s been out there, he’s given us a presence at the corner position.”

McDonnell due

There is only one CAA team McDonnell has not beaten during his 14 years as head coach, William & Mary, and the Tribe (2-6) is coming to Cowell Stadium on Saturday to face the No. 11/11 Wildcats (7-2). Not only has William & Mary and Coach Jimmye Laycock had McDonnell’s number, they’re one of the only teams that doesn’t seem to mind playing in Durham. Since Nov. 17, 2007, UNH is 23-2 at home, and both of those losses have come against the Tribe – 38-34 in 2008 and 13-3 in 2010.

William & Mary may only be 2-6, but four of those losses have come by a total of nine points – 7-6 at Maryland, 17-14 against Lafayette, 20-17 at Towson and 27-26 in double overtime at James Madison.

“This is a good football team,” McDonnell said, “just a little snakebit this year year.”

The William & Mary staff and players were not able to work or practice on Monday because all activities at the college were canceled due to Hurricane Sandy. The Tribe was able to meet yesterday, but Laycock was concerned that his team’s preparations were behind schedule as it readies to face a dynamic UNH offense that’s ranked sixth in the FCS in total offense at 489.7 yards per game.

“They’re very imaginative at what they’re doing offensively. They give you a ton of headaches and you see a little bit of everything from them,” Laycock said.

No playoff peak

With their 7-2 record, No. 11 ranking and final two games at home – Saturday against William & Mary and Nov. 17 against No. 19 Towson (4-4) – the Wildcats are in very good playoff position. Just don’t ask McDonnell if he or anyone else is thinking about that.

“Nope, nope, nope, because we’ve been in this league too lone,” the coach said. “You lose your last two games and you’re watching this year. The biggest thing for us is playing William & Mary, getting through this week, getting to this game and taking care of business.”

And a numbers thing

∎ Senior linebacker Matt Evans is eight tackles away from breaking the Steve Doig’s school record of 434 career tackles. Evans leads the CAA in tackles this season with 93 and is the FCS active leader with his 427 career stops.

∎ UNH is ranked 10th in the FCS in turnover margin at plus-1.11 per game. The Wildcats have 15 interceptions gained and nine fumble recoveries and have thrown just five interceptions and lost nine fumbles.

(Tim O’Sullivan can be reached at 369-3371 or tosullivan@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @timosullivan20.)