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UNH 19, Holy Cross 16

Photo courtesy UNH media relations | Rosie Blaney

DURHAM – During a press conference earlier this week University of New Hampshire coach Rick Santos said he felt like special teams would play a huge role in determining the winner of Saturday night’s matchup between UNH and Holy Cross. He was spot-on.

Nick Reed, a transfer from the University of Buffalo, made each of his four field goal attempts in UNH’s 19-16 win. His fourth kick was a 40-yarder as time expired.  

BOX SCORE

“Right off my foot I knew it was good,” Reed said.

Reed’s other field goals came from 33, 30 and 50 yards. He said he contacted Holy Cross about transferring there, but the Crusaders told him they weren’t bringing in a kicker.

“Even in practice when we put him in those competitive situations he loves it,” Santos said. “He just has a calming presence out there.” 

Reed’s game-winning kick came after Holy Cross (0-2) missed a 34-yard field goal with 1:40 remaining in the game. UNH’s final drive was aided by a roughing-the-passer penalty. Instead of facing a third-and-eight situation on its own 49-yard line, the Wildcats (2-0) were handed a first down on the Holy Cross 36. 

Later in the drive UNH quarterback Matt Vezza completed a 14-yard pass to Chase Wilson on a third-and-12 play that moved the ball to the Holy Cross 24.

“Very disappointed,” Holy Cross coach Dan Curran said. “We thought that was one we were certainly in position to win. It came down to two things: The first one being no converting in the red zone on multiple occasions, which I think could have put the game away. Then the other one I think was the penalty beast, some of which I thought were questionable, but certainly impactful. Particularly on some third-down scenarios when we would have had UNH in third and longs and probably punting situations.”

The Crusaders’ other failed red zone opportunity came when they fumbled the snap on a fourth-and-one play from the UNH 2-yard line in the second quarter. 

UNH’s special teams also came into play when defensive lineman Cam Garner-Young blocked an extra-point attempt after Holy Cross defensive back Eli Thompson intercepted a Vezza pass and returned it 24 yards for a TD on the game’s fourth play from scrimmage. 

“All week we’ve been drilling how important special teams is,” Garner Young said. “It’s one of the biggest facets of the game.”

UNH scored its lone touchdown on the play from scrimmage that immediately followed Thompson’s TD. It came on a double pass that went from Vezza to Caleb Burke to Josh Fillion for 53 yards. Reed’s PAT put UNH in front 7-6 with 13:16 left in the opening quarter.

Holy Cross received two field goals from Luis Palenzuela, and a 1-yard TD run from running back Jayden Clerveaux. That TD plus the PAT put the Crusaders in front 16-13 with 12:13 remaining in the game. Reed’s 50-yard field goal tied the contest on UNH’s next possession.

Each defense had the upper hand for most of the game. UNH was 2 of 12 on third down. Holy Cross was 2 for 11. The Crusaders were limited to 95 yards through the air.

Vezza was 11 of 21 for 129 yards and was intercepted twice. He also rushed for 46 yards on 11 attempts.

“Defensively, tackled well,” Santos said. “Flew to the ball. Minus a handful of plays I thought they really kept us in it and ultimately won us the game.” 

Reed, a sophomore, has made each of his six field goal attempts this season.

“Last week (a 19-17 loss to Northern Illinois) special teams was a huge plus for us,” Curran said. “We blocked a punt, we forced another muffed punt with some pressure. Had a kick return to the house. (Against UNH) not as much.”

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