UNH starting QB remains a mystery

By rbrown
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: August 25, 2025

Rick Santos/UNH media relations

The University of New Hampshire will open its season Saturday with a non-conference game against North Carolina Central (6 p.m.) of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

NCCU kicked off its season with a 31-14 triumph over Southern on Saturday night. The Eagles outscored the Jaguars 14-0 in the second half. Running back Chris Mosley carried the ball 15 times for 174 yards and a touchdown in the win. Quarterback Walker Harris completed 9 of 14 pass attempts for 183 yards and a TD.

NCCU came away with points in four of its five trips to the red zone.

*******

— UNH coach Rick Santos refused to name his team’s starting quarterback during Monday’s weekly CAA conference call, but added that sophomore Matt Vezza and junior Brooks Bentley could both play. Bentley is a transfer from Wingate.

“I think we have two guys right now that have earned the right to start,” Santos said. “I would expect to see both of them in the opener. … We’re not going to disclose who’s going to get that first drive, but I think both of them have played really well. They have different skill-sets. I think the things they both have is A) a command of the offense, but a really good respect from their teammates.”

— Santos said inside linebacker Trevor Barry, a redshirt freshman, has stood out as much as anybody on the team during fall camp. Barry will make his first collegiate start Saturday. Santos also said he expects linebacker Cole Bullock, a transfer from Montana State, to have an immediate impact as well.

— Santos on NCCU’s Harris: “Really like Walker Harris, how he sees the field (and) gets the ball out of his hands. He’s a facilitator, but he’s certainly athletic. I think he does a really good job of taking what the defense gives him. It was apparent last week that he wasn’t going to put the ball in harm’s way.”

— When asked about keys to victory Saturday, Santos said UNH will have to be efficient on the ground and control the clock.

“Winning the time-of-possession battle and winning the turnover battle are two things that are going to be key,” he said. “You look at that opener. I think N.C. Central had 35 minutes of time of possession. When we cross the 50 we gotta make sure that we’re being really creative in what we can do to move the sticks, keep the ball in our hands, and keep the defense off the field.

“We’re gonna see who’s ready for the moment. This is probably the most uncertainty going into a year in terms of the least amount of depth and the least amount of people who have played meaningful snaps.”