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Urda eyes extended season

DURHAM – At this time of year the country is filled with football players hoping this weekend won’t be the last time they get to represent their high school or college in a meaningful game.

Milford’s Gavin Urda is in that group.

Urda is nearing the end of his senior season at the University of New Hampshire, which will wrap up its regular season with a game at Maine (5-6, 3-4 CAA) on Saturday at 1 p.m. UNH (7-4, 5-2) will likely need a victory to receive an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs. A loss could eliminate the Wildcats from contention.

“Obviously you want to beat Maine any year,” Urda said. “It means more than any other game,  but it means a little bit extra when you can extend not only the season, but my career. Just one more would be special.”

Urda, a Milford High School graduate, is a defensive back – UNH moved him from cornerback to safety after last season – but he has also carved out a significant role on special teams. This season he’s a part of UNH’s kickoff and kickoff return teams, as well as the punt and punt return teams. 

He recovered a fumble on a punt that led to a go-ahead touchdown during a must-win game against Monmouth on Nov. 9.

During his time as a cornerback, Urda was also used  in obvious passing situations as part of UNH’s nickel package. He joined the UNH program as a walk-on, but received scholarship money following the 2022 season.

“I think “program guys” are the perfect words to describe guys like Gavin,” UNH coach Rick Santos said. “They epitomize what New Hampshire football is all about – hard work, being blue collar, shows up every single day with a workman-like attitude. Never makes it about himself. 

“When he stepped on campus he was someone who cut his teeth on the scout team for the first couple years, so he was selfless and made everyone around him better and he wasn’t reaping the benefits of it. Kept his head down, kept working. … This year pretty sure he’s top five in the nation in special teams tackles. Guys like that are why coaching is super fun. Not the superstar in terms of production on the field, but it’s everything else that goes into it that makes him such a great young man.”

UNH, which is on a three-game winning streak, leads the series with Maine 58-45-8. The Black Bears are 3-1 at home this season.

A victory will have the UNH in good position to make the FCS playoffs. The 24-team field will be announced Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

“The motivation is Maine,” Santos said. “You take care of them, you handle the emotions of this game, the rest of it all falls into place.”

Win or lose Saturday, Urda said he’ll cherish the relationships he’s developed during his UNH career.

“Sharing those experiences with life-long friends,” he said. “It makes it fun to go to practice every day and do all that hard work when you’re doing it with your best friends.

“I decided pretty late to play (college) football at all. I think I decided midway through my senior season, so that was a rushed decision. UNH and Saint Anselm were my last two before I decided to choose UNH. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. I love my time here.”

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