The award, albeit in July, is a pretty nice accolade.

“It’s my goal this year,” said University of New Hampshire quarterback Trevor Knight of Amherst, who was named the Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Offensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.

“I mean it’s nice. But I’ll take all the congratulations hopefully in December.”

The announcement came at the CAA’s annual media day in Baltimore, where the Wildcats were picked second in the league preseason poll behind James

Madison.

For Knight, there is plenty of work to be done. It’s one of the reasons he spent six weeks training in San Diego earlier in the summer and also has been at home in Durham, toiling with his Wildcat mates in the brutal heat over the last few weeks.

“We’re not looking to go to the (NCAA) quarterfinals (where they were eliminated in 2017),” said Knight. “We’re looking to bigger things.”

Knight, who played his high school ball at Nashua South, threw for 3,433 yards and 26 TDs a year ago.

With the award comes a bit of responsibility.

And while Knight downplays any added pressure, he realizes there is some baggage.

“I think it probably puts a target on my back,” said Knight. “I don’t bother much with that stuff, though. I just want to do my job out there.”

Wildcats wide receiver/prized target Neil O’Connor and linebacker Quinlen Dean joined Knight on the first team preseason all-conference team, also announced Tuesday.

UNH players officially report to preseason camp in Durham on August 1. The first practice is slated on August 2.

The Wildcats open the season on August 30 at the University of Maine.

UNH then hosts Colgate at Wildcat Stadium in the home opener on Sept. 8.

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