Quarterback Bret Edwards has yet to take a snap in a college game, but it appears that will soon change.

Interim head coach Ricky Santos has named Edwards, a redshirt freshman, the starting quarterback for the University of New Hampshire’s season-opener at Holy Cross on Saturday (1 p.m.). Edwards prevailed in a two-man quarterback battle that included true freshman Max Brosmer.  

“Both of those guys we feel are good enough to be starting quarterbacks in this league,” Santos said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if (Brosmer) gets a bit of time in the opener, too.”

Santos, who was named interim head coach when Sean McDonnell announced last week he would take a leave of absence for health-related reasons, said Edwards will begin the year as UNH’s No. 1 quarterback because of his decision-making and his mobility.

“He’s really efficient with the football,” Santos said. “Took care of it. Ultimately, he protected the ball better throughout camp. And he gives us a dynamic with his legs.”

Edwards, who is 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds, redshirted last season and missed most of spring camp with bicep tendonitis. He was a three-year starter at Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Mass., and was named the Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 MVP following his senior season. He passed for 4,736 yards and 54 touchdowns during his high school career.

Edwards punctuated fall camp by completing 18 of 19 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns without an interception during UNH’s Blue/White game on Aug. 25.

“Last year was a big learning year for me, so I was out there timid, not knowing where to put the ball sometimes,” Edwards said following that scrimmage. “This year I’ve put in a lot of work. Coach Santos has helped us out a lot with reads and coverages and just making us feel comfortable back there. He’s brought a lot to the table. Mostly coverages for me and reading the defense and knowing where the ball goes and canceling out routes that aren’t going to be there with those coverages.”

Sophomore Tommy Herion, who transferred to UNH after walking on at the University of Iowa, is the only quarterback on the UNH roster with game experience. He completed 25 of 53 passes for 284 yards and two interceptions in seven games last season.

UNH was left with questions at quarterback when Trevor Knight, the team’s starting QB last season, graduated, and Christian Lupoli transferred to Division II New Haven. Lupoli was No. 2 on the depth chart last year and started in three games when Knight was injured.

Brosmer, who passed for 3,459 yards and 31 TDs as a senior at Centennial High School in Roswell, Ga., graduated from high school early and enrolled at UNH last January. He completed 6 of 9 passes for 99 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Blue/White game.

UNH hasn’t been shy about using two quarterbacks in the past. Most recently, Andy Vailas and Sean Goldrich shared the job throughout the season when the Wildcats advanced to the FCS playoffs in 2014.

“It was an extremely tough decision,” Santos said. “Both of those kids battled throughout camp and made plays.”