The #25 New Hampshire Wildcats built a 27-7 halftime lead, and then held off Maine 33-27 to retain the Brice-Cowell Musket in a rivalry CAA football game played in Durham, NH on Saturday afternoon to close out the regular season.
The Black Bears defense, who was shredded in a home loss to #9 Rhode Island the week prior, gave up big plays again in the first half to the Wildcats including a big 64-yard punt return that helped set up a UNH score. A 1-yard TD run by Myles Thomason, an 8-yard scoring pass from Matt Vezza to Chase Wilson, and four field goals from Nick Reed including one from 55 yards sparked the hosts to a 27-7 lead at the break. Carter Peevy got into the endzone on a 2-yard run for Maine, who was outgained in total net yardage 268-95 over the first 30 minutes.
The Black Bears defense would step up in the second half, and gave the offense a chance to get back into the game. A Trevin Ewing 12-yard TD catch from Peevy early in the third quarter made it 27-14, before a 9-yard run from Rashawn Marshall found paydirt to slice it to a six point deficit with 9:39 left to play. UNH then took almost nine minutes off the clock on a 73 yard drive, culminating in a 10-yard TD run by Vezza with 1:49 remaining. Maine wasn’t quite done however, as Peevy on a 4th and 5 at his own 38 yard line went up the middle and took it himself going 62-yards to get in for six more points with 39 seconds left on the clock. The Black Bears then attempted an onside kick but were called for offsides, as the Wildcats then kneeled down in victory formation to keep the Brice-Cowell Musket in Durham for a fourth straight year.
Vezza was 16-27 passing for 266 yards and a touchdown in the win for UNH, and also rushed for 37 yards and a score. Thomason led their backfield with 22 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown. The Wildcats (8-4, 6-2 in the CAA) will now await word if they get an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs with the selection show coming up on Sunday. Peevy in his final collegiate game was the offensive leader for Maine in the defeat, passing for 180 yards (15 for 27) with one touchdown and two interceptions while adding 114 yards on the ground on eight attempts and two scores. Ty’ee Stephens had a 68-yard reception, while Scott Woods also finished off his career and a great season with four catches for 33 yards. Devin Vaught made 10 total tackles (seven solo) to lead the defense, and Christian Thomas was solid again to cap off a superb graduate year with nine total tackles (seven solo) and also one tackle for a loss. The Black Bears committed 12 penalties (95 yards), but did close the gap in total yardage on the day (UNH 396, Maine 369). Despite the back to back losses to end their season after a six game win streak, finishing up 2025 at 6-6 (5-3 in conference play), credit is given to head coach Jordan Stevens and his staff for turning things around after an 0-4 start to the year. The six victories are the most since 2021, and the five CAA wins are the most since 2018.
Photos courtesy of UMaine Athletics
