ORONO- The #24 University of New Hampshire Wildcats scored the final 27 points of the game Saturday afternoon, and beat Maine 27-9 in a Coastal Athletic Association football regular season finale and annual battle of the Brice-Cowell Musket. UNH retains the musket for a third straight season in the 112th all-time football meeting between the two schools, and also likely guaranteed themselves a ticket to the FCS playoffs with the victory.
Maine, who was seeking their first six win season since 2021, got off to a good start in the first quarter. The Black Bears got a 39-yard Joey Bryson field goal, and then after an interception of UNH quarterback Seth Morgan by Devin Vaught deep in Wildcats territory they would get their only touchdown of the afternoon. Carter Peevy would connect with Montigo Moss for 8 yards, as Moss made a terrific one-handed catch in the back right corner of the endzone to make it 9-0. That would be the last time they would score, as they also attempted a two-point conversion that was no good. The guests struggled offensively in the first half, especially in the running game as they only gained 16 yards on 18 carries. UNH did get on the scoreboard though with 11 seconds left in the second quarter, as Denzell Gibson found paydirt with a 1-yard touchdown rush on 4th down and goal to go to cut it to 9-7 at the break.
It was all Wildcats in the second half, outscoring the Black Bears 20-0 and really picking it up out of the backfield led by Caleb Mead who was only playing his second game ever at running back after transitioning from cornerback due to injuries. Mead took the first play from scrimmage of the third quarter to the house for a 57-yard touchdown as he helped UNH take the lead for good. They also got 21-yard field goal by Nick Mazzie with just over two minutes left in the period, and then Mazzie added another kick of 22-yards early in the fourth to extend the advantage to 20-9. The last good opportunity to score for Maine came on their next possession as Peevy on the first play found Trevin Ewing across the middle for 18 yards, but Ewing made a burst and pulled away from the defense up the far sideline for a 64-yard gain to the Wildcats 17 yard line. On 3rd down and 4 at the 11, Peevy passed out in the flat to Moss who then turned and attempted a pass that was off the shoulder pads incomplete to Tavion Banks in the endzone. A 29-yard field goal attempt by Bryson was off the right upright, resulting in no points on the drive. UNH wrapped up the victory with just over two minutes remaining when Flex Ruiz got to Peevy for an 8-yard sack on 4th and 10 at the Black Bears 15 yard line. Morgan kept it himself on the ensuing play after the turnover on downs with a 7-yard run to cap off the scoring.
Peevy went 12-25 passing for 168 yards and one touchdown in the loss for Maine, as the graduate transfer really struggled with accuracy for the first time this season. The Black Bears only had 30 rushing yards on 19 carries. Moss had the most receptions with five for 50 yards and the lone touchdown, and Ewing picked up 64 with his one catch. Christian Thomas was the defensive leader with 12 total tackles including two for a loss, while Vaught added his interception. Maine honored their seniors in a pre-game ceremony on the field, and ends their year with a record of 5-7 and 3-5 in the Coastal Athletic Association. Morgan passed for 164 yards (22-34) in the win for UNH with one interception, while adding a rushing touchdown late. Mead was the offensive star of the game finshing up with 113 yards on 19 attempts out of the backfield that included his game winning score. The Wildcats rushed for 106 yards in the second half on 20 carries (5.3 yards average per carry). Ryan Tuscano had 11 total tackles to anchor the defense. UNH (8-4, 6-2 in the CAA) will await their postseason fate during the FCS selection show on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The Wildcats last playoff appearance was in 2022 when they beat Fordham in the first round, before falling to Holy Cross in round number two.
Photos by Anthony DelMonaco and Chris Lessner/Video interviews by Chris Lessner
