Game Notes: Football Battles Black Bears On Senior Day (Nov. 21; 1 PM)

Saturday, November 21

Durham, N.H.

1:00 PM

University of New Hampshire

University of Maine

Tickets

Game Notes: Football Battles Black Bears On Senior Day (Nov. 21; 1 PM)

11/18/2015 11:12:00 AM | Football

UNH (6-4, 4-3 CAA) vs. Maine (3-7, 3-4 CAA)

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 • 1 p.m.
Cowell Stadium • Surface: FieldTurf • Durham, N.H.

Television: none
Video: unhwildcats.tv Audio and Live stats: www.unhwildcats.com

GAME DAY
One Last Time: The Nov. 21 game against Maine will be the last regular-season game ever played at Cowell Stadium (and could be the last game ever at the venue, pending postseason play). Tickets for the historic event are available online at www.unhwildcats.com, by calling 603-862-4000 or visiting the Whittemore Center Box Office.

While You're in Durham: Fans can purchase a discounted America East Volleyball Championship ticket to the Nov. 21 (5 p.m.) title game for a discounted cost of $5 when presenting your football ticket from Saturday's game vs. Maine. UNH is the top seed of the tournament and is looking to three-peat after winning the tourney title in 2013 and 2014.

Fan Headquarters: Mixteca restaurant in downtown Durham will be the UNH Fan Headquarters between the football and men's hockey games on Nov. 21. UNH alums will receive discounted menus.

"Beat Hunger Games" Wildcat Food Drive: The "Beat Hunger Games" Wildcat Food Drive presented by Service Credit Union and Townsquare Media NH will be held at UNH home events spanning Nov. 21-28. This includes the Nov. 21 football game vs. Maine. Donations benefit the NH Food Bank.

Dunkin' Donuts Fan Giveaway: Dunkin' Donuts is giving a $3 gift card to everyone in attendance at this weekend's football game.

Serious Exposure: Saturday's game vs. Maine will be on satellite radio. You can find the broadcast on Serius 213 and XM 205.

QUICK HITTERS
The UNH football team has a 6-4 overall record with a 4-3 CAA conference record and 4-0 mark at home, including 3-0 in conference home games.

The Wildcats carry a three-game win streak into the regular-season finale against Maine following last week's 24-14 win at Albany.

UNH has won 10 consecutive November games with a split of 6-0 at home and 4-0 on the road.

The University of Maine is 3-7 with a 3-4 CAA record, 1-4 road record and 1-2 mark in conference road games. The Black Bears have lost three straight games.

New Hampshire has a 52-43-8 lifetime record against Maine in the program's longest running rivalry. The Wildcats have won five straight and 12 of the last 13 meetings spanning the 2003-14 seasons. Prior to that, Maine won five straight from 1998-2002.

The Brice-Cowell Musket, named after former Maine coach Fred Brice and former UNH coach William Cowell, was originally presented to the winner of the regular-season game since the late 1940s.

New Hampshire has claimed the Brice-Cowell Musket each of the last four years and 11 times the past 12 seasons (2003-14). Maine's only win in that span was Oct. 2, 2010, 16-13 in overtime, at Alfond Arena.

The Nov. 21 game against Maine will be the last regular-season game ever played at Cowell Stadium (and could be the last game ever at the venue, pending postseason play).

New Hampshire's Cowell Stadium has been called The Dungeon, a fittingly foreboding nickname for the opposition. In four games this season, UNH is 4-0 at home and has outscored the opposition 144-70, including 59-10 in the first quarter and 12-3 in the fourth quarter.

UNH has won 11 consecutive CAA home games.

Senior quarterback Sean Goldrich recorded career highs with 32 completions and 51 pass attempts last Saturday at the University at Albany. Goldrich threw for a season-high 301 yards and one touchdown.

UNH has a 20-9 record (.690 win percentage) when Sean Goldrich is the starting quarterback. That includes 9-1 at home, 13-3 in CAA conference games and 5-0 in CAA conference home games.

Junior running back Dalton Crossan is No. 5 nationally in all-purpose yards per game (163.00), No. 6 in scoring (9.3 points/game), No. 11 in rushing TDs (12) and No. 21 in kickoff returns (25.6 yards/return).

New Hampshire recorded a season-high 30 first downs last week at Albany. The last time the 'Cats recorded 30+ first downs in a game was Sept. 22, 2012, when they had 35 at Old Dominion University.

UNH has launched a stadium ticket campaign for the 2016 season. Reserve season tickets in the state-of-the-art stadium for a $25 deposit per seat. Visit www.unhstadium.com

NOTES
History of the Brice-Cowell Musket: The Brice-Cowell Musket, named after former Maine coach Fred Brice and former UNH coach William Cowell, was originally presented to the winner of the regular-season game since the late 1940s. The musket is a flintlock rifle made by Ebenezer Nutting of Falmouth, Maine, somewhere between 1722-45. The George I period rifle has a 43-inch barrel and is rifled to a .65 caliber.
New Hampshire has claimed the Brice-Cowell Musket each of the last four years and 11 times the past 12 seasons (2003-14). Maine's only win in that span was Oct. 2, 2010, 16-13 in overtime, at Alfond Arena.

UNH vs. Maine all-time series: New Hampshire has a 52-43-8 lifetime record against Maine in the program's longest running rivalry. The Wildcats have won five straight and 12 of the last 13 meetings spanning the 2003-14 seasons. Prior to that, Maine won five straight from 1998-2002.
UNH has dominated the series in recent years, but a number of the games have been close. In five consecutive years spanning 2008-12, the margin of victory was seven points or less. That included Maine's most recent win in the series,16-13 in overtime, at Alfond Stadium on Oct. 2, 2010.
Of historical note, UNH prevailed 28-21 in the 100th meeting between the programs Oct. 20, 2012, at Alfond Stadium.
Prior to the 2013 season, neither team had limited the other to single digits since the Wildcats' 24-7 win on Oct. 25, 1997; the three points scored by Maine marked the lowest by either team since the 'Cats shut out the Black Bears on Oct. 21, 1995 (21-0 win). UNH has scored double figures every meeting since Maine's 24-7 win in the 1989 season opener.
In the Sean McDonnell era, UNH has a 12-5 record against the Black Bears. Here is a look at the series since Coach Mac took the helm in 1999.
Date H/A UNH M Result
11/20/99 H 20 31 L
11/18/00 A 10 55 L
11/17/01 H 24 57 L
11/23/02 A 14 31 L
11/22/03 H 47 27 W
11/20/04 A 50 36 W
11/19/05 H 59 47 W
11/18/06 A 19 13 W ot
11/17/07 H 39 14 W
11/22/08 A 28 24 W
11/21/09 H 27 24 W
10/02/10 A 13 16 L ot
11/19/11 H 30 27 W
10/20/12 A 28 21 W
11/23/13 H 24 3 W
12/07/13 A 41 27 W NCAA quarterfinal
11/22/14 A 20 12 W

'Cats vs. Black Bears – The Most Recent Matchup: UNH, ranked No. 1 in the nation, scored 14 second-quarter points en route to a 20-6 lead and 20-12 victory against Maine at Alfond Stadium last November (Nov. 22, 2014).
The Black Bears limited the Wildcats to 11 yards in the first quarter and led 3-0 through 15 minutes. It didn't take long for the 'Cats to strike in the second quarter ,as Nico Steriti scored on a five-yard run at 11:40 to give the visitors a 6-3 lead.
UNH's defense continued to stifle the Black Bears by forcing fumbles on Maine's next two possessions. The Wildcats converted the second turnover into at 14-3 lead at 6:57 when Sean Goldrich connected with Jimmy Giansante on a 41-yard TD and then completed the two-point PAT to R.J. Harris.
Maine closed within 14-6 at 7:24 of the third quarter, but the 'Cats responded with a 15-play, 88-yard touchdown drive capped by Goldrich's one-yard run at 2:01 to build a 20-6 lead.
The Black Bears scored another touchdown at 6:25 of the fourth quarter to trim the deficit to 20-12. New Hampshire took 3 minutes, 39 seconds off the clock before Maine regained possession at its 1 yard line with 2:40 on the clock. They advanced the ball 26 yards on six plays, but then Nick Cefalo intercepted Drew Belcher's pass at the UNH 45 to give possession back to the Wildcats with 1:00 remaining to secure the victory.
New Hampshire recorded a 287-179 advantage in total yards, including 169-92 passing yards, and also had a 19-11 edge in first downs. Maine won the turnover battle at +3 with three interceptions and three fumble recoveries in comparison to committing three turnovers (one INT, two fumbles). The Wildcats' defense recorded eight tackles for a loss, including five sacks.

Senior Day vs. Maine: The 19-member senior class will be honored prior to opening kickoff of the Nov. 21 game vs. Maine. In addition to seniors Akil Anderson, Sean Goldrich and Jullian Turner, the seniors are: Jared Allison, Rashid Armand, Kalil Bailey, Christian Breda, Horace Chalstrom, Lamar Edmonds, Austin Heter, George Kallas, Mike Kelly, Hayden Knudson, Chris McCormick, Dougie Moss, Keith Parkinson, Dan Riley, Daniel Rowe and Dab Ukwani.

National Numbers: New Hampshire's defense is No. 18 in sacks with 2.70 per game, No. 12 in fourth-down conversion defense (30.0%) and 22nd in passing yards allowed (184.3 yards/game).
On special teams, UNH is No. 7 in kickoff returns (24.12 yards per return), No. 20 in punt returns (12.35 per return) and No. 10 in blocked punts (two).
In other stats, the Wildcats are No. 12 in fumbles lost (four) and No. 15 in fewest penalty yards per game (44.0).
Junior running back Dalton Crossan is No. 5 nationally in all-purpose yards per game (163.00), No. 6 in scoring (9.3 points/game), No. 11 in rushing TDs (12) and No. 21 in kickoff returns (25.6 yards/return).
Junior Casey DeAndrade is No. 7 in punt returns at 12.7 yards per return.
Redshirt freshman Jared Kuehl is No. 12 in blocked kicks with two.

Dominant in The Dungeon: New Hampshire's Cowell Stadium has been called The Dungeon, a fittingly foreboding nickname for the opposition. In four games this season, UNH is 4-0 at home and has outscored the opposition 144-70, including 59-10 in the first quarter and 12-3 in the fourth quarter.
UNH had an 8-1 record at The Dungeon last year as part of a program-record 14-game win streak that included a perfect 6-0 mark in the 2013 season. The streak ended with a 21-18 loss to Illinois State University in the Dec. 20, 2014 NCAA semifinal game.
In the 14-game win streak at The Dungeon, the Wildcats outscored the opposition 571 to 253 (40.8 points/game to 18.1 points/game) with eight games of 40+ points, including three 50+ efforts (59 vs. Rhode Island on Oct. 12, 2013).
Since the start of the 2007 season, the Wildcats are 46-5 at Cowell Stadium for a .902 win percentage.
UNH has won 11 consecutive CAA home games with a 4-0 record in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons and three wins this year (vs. Elon , Rhode Island and No. 5/7 Richmond). The most recent conference home loss was Nov. 17, 2012 (64-35 to Towson University).
New Hampshire has also had tremendous success at home against non-conference teams the past decade-plus (2005-15) with a 20-2 record that included 16 consecutive wins. Prior to the 21-18 2014 NCAA playoff loss to ISU, the last time a non-conference team left Cowell Stadium as the victor was Dec. 3, 2005, when Northern Iowa escaped with a 24-21 win in an NCAA quarterfinal win.
The last time UNH lost a regular-season home game to a non-conference opponent was Nov. 11, 2000 (38-35 to Gardner-Webb). Since then, the 'Cats have won 19 consecutive regular-season home games against non-conference foes.

A Passing Fancy: Senior quarterback Sean Goldrich recorded career highs with 32 completions and 51 pass attempts last Saturday at the University at Albany. Goldrich threw for a season-high 301 yards and one touchdown.
The 32 completions marked the highest total by a UNH quarterback since Nov. 12, 2011, when Kevin Decker completed 36 passes at Towson University.
The last Wildcat to attempt 50 passes in a game was Decker (with 50) at the College of William & Mary on Oct. 15, 2011. He completed 34 of those attempts for 422 yards and one TD.
The 51 attempts are the most since current assistant coach Ricky Santos threw 55 passes vs. UMass on Nov. 4, 2006; Santos' complete line that game was 35 of 55 for 383 yards and two TDs. Earlier that season, Santos finished with a school-record 66 pass attempts at Northeastern University (Oct. 21, 2006) with numbers of 41 of 66 for 434 yards and four TDs.

100 Tackles For #92: Senior defensive tackle Jullian Turner recorded his 100th career tackle with the fourth of his five tackles Nov. 14 at Albany. Turner has a personal single-season high 39 tackles (24-15-39) this season to increase his career total to 101 (61-40-101).

Climbing the Leaderboard: Sean Goldrich climbed into the Top 5 to No. 4 on UNH's career leaderboard for completions among his 31 completions at Albany. He entered the game with 552 completions, and supplanted Mike Granieri (2000-04; 564) at No. 5 and then Bob Jean (1985-88; 567) at No. 4. Goldrich holds that position with 584 career completions. Ahead of him on the list are No. 3 Ryan Day (1997-2001) at 653 and No. 2 R.J. Toman (2007-10) at 658.
On other UNH career rankings, Goldrich is No. 5 in both pass attempts (965) and passing yards (6,941). Toman is fourth in attempts (1,077) and Day is fourth in yards (7,670).

Moving The Chains: New Hampshire recorded a season-high 30 first downs last week at Albany. The last time the 'Cats recorded 30+ first downs in a game was Sept. 22, 2012, when they had 35 at Old Dominion University.
UNH's second-highest total of 26 first downs came one week before the Albany game against fifth-ranked University of Richmond.

Racking Up The Yards: UNH has passed for 300 yards each of the past two weeks with 304 vs. Richmond (Nov. 7) and 301 at Albany (Nov. 14). The Wildcats did not record 300 passing yards the first eight games of the year.
New Hampshire recorded 400+ total yards of offense in back-to-back games for the first time this season with 468 vs. Richmond and 467 at Albany.

Three-Game Win Streak: New Hampshire carries a season-best three game win streak into Saturday's regular-season finale vs. Maine. The streak began with a 20-17 home win against Rhode Island and continued with a 30-25 victory against Richmond in The Dungeon followed by a 24-14 triumph at Albany.
The Wildcats recorded a win streak of at least four games each of the previous four seasons (2011-14).
During the current streak, UNH is averaging 24.7 points per game and has outscored the opposition by an aggregate score of 74-56, including 24-10 in the first quarter and 16-10 in the fourth quarter.
One of the reasons scoring is up is the rise in total offense (439.0 yards per game) with ability to extend drives by converting 24 of 47 third downs (51.1%). In comparison, UNH's defense is limiting the opposition to 351.0 yards per game on 14 of 43 third downs (32.6%).
Dalton Crossan is averaging 112.5 rushing yards per game with three rushing TDs. Sean Goldrich has completed 71 of 119 passes for 763 yards and five TDs; those numbers calculate to 254.3 yards/game and a 124.03 passer efficiency rating. Jordan Powell has 19 catches for 182 yards and three TDs (60.7 yards/game).
Ryan Farrell, inserted into the starting lineup four games ago, has been one of the top 'Cats on the defensive side of the ball during the win streak. He has a team-high 20 tackles with two tackles for a loss (both sacks), an interception and a forced fumble.
Casey DeAndrade has continued to be a leader with 16 tackles, two tackles for a loss (one sack), an interception and two pass breakups.

The Breakdown – Home vs. The Road: Here is a breakdown of UNH's stats at Cowell Stadium (four games) and on the road (six games):
Home Road
Record 4-0 2-4
Scoring offense 36.0 16.8
Scoring defense 17.5 26.8
Offense ypg 436.5 296.8
Defense ypg 338.0 437.5
Turnover margin +11 -6
UNH's offensive stats leaders at home are running backs Dalton Crossan (50 carries, 328 yards, six TDs) and Trevon Bryant (33-165), quarterback Sean Goldrich (39-68, 462 yards, four TDs, zero INTs) and tight end Jordan Powell (18 catches, 166 yards, four TDs).
The defensive leaders have been junior defensive back Casey DeAndrade with 26 tackles (19-7-26), 3.5 tackles for a loss and two interceptions. Junior linebacker Ryan Farrell has 17 tackles (10-7-17), two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

November Reign: New Hampshire has won 10 consecutive November games with a split of 6-0 at home and 4-0 on the road, and that includes a 45-7 NCAA first round win at home against Lafayette in 2013. The last November loss for the Wildcats was Nov. 2, 2013 at William & Mary (17-0).

Push Them Back: Junior defensive end Cam Shorey recorded a tackle for a loss each of the first eight games of the year, including a season-high 2.5 at Delaware. Shorey has a total of 10 tackles for a loss, including a team-high six sacks. He had three tackles Nov. 7 against Richmond, but not one of them was a stop behind the line of scrimmage.
Senior defensive tackle Jullian Turner also has 10 tackles for a loss, including four sacks. Turner recorded 3.0 TFL in the season opener at San Jose State and 2.5 more at Stony Brook University. He has recorded a tackle for a loss in 6 of 10 games.

All-Purpose Performer: Explosive junior running back Dalton Crossan is a versatile weapon and workhorse for the Wildcats; he was sidelined by a hamstring injury for the Nov. 7 game against nationally-ranked Richmond but returned to the starting lineup one week later at Albany. He matched his career high of 22 carries, recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season (and career) with 111 yards and scored a pair of one-yard TD runs. Crossan also caught five passes for 39 yards.
Crossan leads the team in rushes (144), rushing yards (755), kickoff returns (18), kickoff return yards (460) and all-purpose yards (1,467); he ranks second in receptions (35) and third in receiving yards (252). Crossan has led the team in both rushes and rushing yards all nine games he played, as well as in receptions four times.
Crossan recorded a career-high 226 all-purpose yards Oct. 31 vs. Rhode Island with a breakdown of 114 rushing yards, career-high 66 yards receiving and 46 yards on kickoff returns.
Crossan, who did not have 100 yards rushing in his first 24 games, has eclipsed that mark four of the last five games – 140 vs. Elon (Oct. 3), 109 at William & Mary (Oct. 17), 114 vs. URI (Oct. 31), 111 at Albany (Nov. 14).
Crossan is averaging 83.9 rushing yards per game, 28.0 receiving yards per game and 163.0 all-purpose yards per game. He has scored 12 rushing TDs, including a season-long run of 52 yards vs. URI, and also caught two touchdown passes.
Crossan has recorded at least 100 all-purpose yards every game with a low of 122 (at Stony Brook) and high of 266 (vs. URI). In comparison, the rest of the Wildcats have recorded 100+ all-purpose yards just three times – Trevon Bryant with 117 vs. Central Connecticut State and 119 vs. Richmond, and Casey DeAndrade with 114 at W&M.
Among active 'Cats, Crossan is atop the career leaderboard in rushing yards (1,095) and he ranks second in rushes (166), receptions (47) and receiving yards (385).
Crossan carried the ball a career-high 22 times for a personal-best 140 yards and four touchdowns – another career high – in New Hampshire's 37-14 win against Elon University on Oct. 3. Crossan did a majority of that damage in the first half with 12 rushes for 93 yards and four TDs.
In just one half of action vs. Central Connecticut State on Sept. 26, Crossan had 10 carries for 74 yards (33-yard TD), three catches for a career-high 58 yards (48-yard TD) and a 27-yard kickoff return for a total of 159 all-purpose yards.

Back Under Center: Senior quarterback Sean Goldrich has played five games since returning from an injury incurred the second week of the season (Sept. 12) at Colgate; he missed three games – at Stony Brook, vs. CCSU and vs. Elon – while rehabilitating from a high ankle sprain.
In the five games, he has completed 104 of 181 passes (57.5%) for 1,046 yards (209.2 per game), six TDs and five INTs; those numbers calculate to a 111.42 passer efficiency rating. He has been sacked nine times, but five of those came in the game against William & Mary.
Since his return, Goldrich recorded his best passer rating of 138.27 against No. 5/7 Richmond (Nov. 7). He completed 21 of 36 passes for 264 yards and two TDs without committing a turnover; those numbers marked season highs in touchdowns, yards, completions and attempts. He also had seven rushes for 25 yards, including a one-yard score.
One week earlier vs. Rhode Island, he had a 128.85 rating by completing 18 of 32 passes for 198 yards and two TDs. He registered season highs in both rushes (nine) and rushing yards (70) against URI.
In seven games overall this season, Goldrich has completed 131 of 226 passes (58.0%) for 1,272 yards and seven touchdowns; he also has 52 rushes for 164 yards and one TD.
In the Sept. 12 game at Colgate, the captain was 17 of 23 for 166 yards and one TD for a pass efficiency rating of 148.89.
Goldrich is on the UNH Top 10 career list in three offensive categories – No. 4 in career completions (584) and No. 5 in both pass attempts (965) and passing yards (6,941). He is also the Wildcats' active career leader in rushes (32) and rushing touchdowns (18).
In comparison, the three other UNH quarterbacks who have seen action this year have combined career stats of 84-for-140 for 783 yards, eight TDs and four INTs.

When Goldrich Starts: UNH has a 20-9 record (.690 win percentage) when Sean Goldrich is the starting quarterback. That includes 9-1 at home, 13-3 in CAA conference games and 5-0 in CAA conference home games.

It's Better to Receive: Junior tight end Jordan Powell leads the team in both receptions (42) and receiving yards (412) with an average of 9.8 yards per catch and 41.2 yards per game). Powell recorded career highs in both receptions (10) and receiving yards (96) last week at Albany; his two-yard TD reception gave the Wildcats a 24-7 lead at 12:59 of the fourth quarter.
One week earlier against No. 5 Richmond, he finished with six receptions for 45 yards and two TDs, another personal best. Powell recorded five catches consecutive games against Elon (48 yards) and at William & Mary (personal-best 53 yards).
Seniors Jared Allison and Mike Kelly and sophomore Aaron Lewis-Cenales are the starting wideouts.
Allison ranks second on the squad in receiving yards (269) and third in receptions (29) for averages of 9.3 yards/catch and 26.9 yards/game. He matched his personal best of seven catches (for 34 yards and a TD) at Delaware on Oct. 24 Against Richmond, Allison had two catches for 53 yards, including a season-long of 31, and the 53 yards matched his season high established at Central Connecticut.
Kelly has 14 catches for 141 yards in nine games for averages of 10.1 yards/catch and 15.7 yards/game. He recorded a season-high three catches for 26 yards last week at Albany.
Lewis-Cenales recorded career highs in both receptions (four) and receiving yards (58) Sept. 12 at Colgate; he has 12 catches for 123 yards this season; Lewis-Cenales had one catch (for seven yards) at Albany on Nov. 14; it was his first reception since Oct. 3 vs. Elon.
Junior Kyon Taylor has emerged as a top target the second half of the season with 3+ catches all four games; his totals include 16 catches for 156 yards and two TDs (9.8 yards/catch and 39.0 yards/game, which ranks second on the team).
Taylor recorded career highs in both catches (six) and receiving yards (55) with a seven-yard TD reception Nov. 7 against Richmond. One week earlier, he caught the go-ahead five-yard TD with 5:46 remaining vs. URI. Taylor made his 2015 season debut Oct. 24 at Delaware and led all 'Cats with 35 receiving yards (on three catches) with a long of 22.
Redshirt freshman Rory Donovan has 12 catches for 176 yards in eight games. Against Richmond, Donovan's lone catch of the game – a season-long 42-yard reception – set up a one-yard rushing touchdown. He had a breakout game Sept. 19 at Stony Brook with five catches for 46 yards, including a 17-yard TD reception for his first career score. Donovan subsequently made his first career start one week later against Central Connecticut State; he had one catch for 16 yards.
Freshman Amechie Walker, Jr., who has been in the starting lineup four times, ranks fourth on the team in receptions (19) and receiving yards (215); that breaks down to 11.3 yards/catch and 21.5 yards/game. He had a breakout game Sept. 26 vs. Central Connecticut with two touchdowns on two catches, including a season long of 37; he finished with a career-high 56 yards. Last week at Albany, Walker, Jr. had three catches for 41 yards.

What's My Line: Heading into the season opener, UNH's offensive line had a solid foundation with junior Tad McNeely at center, junior Alexander Morrill at left guard and senior Austin Heter at left tackle. All three were starters last season with both McNeely and Morrill in the starting lineup since they were redshirt freshman.
On the right side of the line, juniors Andrew Lauderdale and Curtis Nealer solidified their starting role at tackle and guard, respectively.
The blueprint changed quickly, however, when Lauderdale missed the second game and McNeely was injured in that game at Colgate – he has been sidelined since with senior George Kallas stepping in at center.
UNH has not had the same starting five on the offensive line for more than two consecutive games, though that is expected to change this week with Heter, Morrill, Kallas, Nealer and Lauderdale all in the lineup a third straight week.
Heter and Nealer have started all 10 games, while Kallas has started each of the last eight. Lauderdale was sidelined by injury three of the first five games (2, 4 & 5), but has been back in the lineup the past five games.
Morrill was a DNP at Delaware and sat out the first half against Rhode Island before returning to action in the third quarter of that Oct. 31 game vs. the Rams. Morrill was back in the starting lineup one week later vs. nationally-ranked Richmond.

Senior Safeties: Four senior safeties solidify the defensive backfield with Daniel Rowe, Hayden Knudson, Lamar Edmonds and Keith Parkinson patrolling the secondary.
Knudson has started 8 of 10 games this season – he did not play in the Sept. 26 home opener vs. Central Connecticut and was also sidelined last week at Albany. He is second overall and first among safeties in tackles with 53 (23-30-53). Knudson tied for the team lead in tackles consecutive games at William & Mary (nine) and at Delaware (11) and did that again Nov. 7 vs. nationally-ranked Richmond with seven.
Rowe was injured during the Sept. 19 game at Stony Brook University and missed three games before returning to action Oct. 24 at Delaware; he finished that game with four tackles, including one for a loss. In seven games, Rowe has 36 tackles (20-16-36), two forced a fumbles (one each of the first two weeks) and also a blocked PAT in the opener at San Jose State.
Edmonds, who has started each of the last eight games and 9 of 10, ranks second among safeties and tied for third overall in total tackles with 44 (23-21-44). Last week at Albany, he tied for second on the squad with seven tackles – one short of his career high – and also forced a fumble.
Edmonds has recorded 4+ tackles seven times, including four tackles in consecutive weeks against Richmond and Rhode Island. Edmonds tallied his 100th career tackle with the last of eight tackles Oct. 17 at William & Mary; the eight stops matched his career high.
Edmonds recorded his second career interception – a play that was featured on SportsCenter Top 10 Plays – Oct. 3 vs. Elon.
Parkinson, with one start in 10 games played, has been credited with 34 tackles; he led the team with a career-high eight tackles last week at Albany.
Sophomore Nick Marino started consecutive games against Central Connecticut State and Elon; in his first career start against CCSU, Marino made the most of the opportunity by recording a personal-best five tackles (4-1-5). He has nine tackles (7-2-9) in six games. Marino has been a DNP the past two weeks.
Sophomore D'Andre Drummond-Mayrie has played in 6 of 10 games; he was a DNP at William & Mary and each of the past three weeks. Drummond-Mayrie recorded his first career interception against Elon and tallied a personal-best six tackles (3-3-6) one week earlier against Central Connecticut. He has 14 tackles (5-9-14).

Excellent Cornering Skills: Junior Casey DeAndrade has established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the CAA and was named to the CAA Preseason All-Conference Team.
DeAndrade leads the team in tackles with 66 (47-19-66), including 6.5 for a loss. He also has a team-leading nine pass breakups as well as a fumble recovery and two interceptions. He has recorded 6+ tackles 7 of 10 games.
DeAndrade was UNH's top tackler four consecutive games – Central Connecticut State (six), Elon (six), William 7 Mary (nine) and Delaware (11) – and was also the top tackler vs. nationally-ranked Richmond. The 11 stops against Delaware matched his personal best established in the season opener at San Jose State.
DeAndrade recorded four pass breakups Sept. 12 at Colgate and that included three consecutive plays midway through the fourth quarter in UNH territory with the 'Cats protecting a 23-8 lead.
Senior Dougie Moss has started opposite DeAndrade 9 of 10 games, including each of the last seven. Moss ranks third on the team in tackles with 44 (31-13-44). He made eight stops Oct. 17 at William & Mary. Moss recorded career highs in total tackles (10) as well as both solo (six) and assisted (four) tackles in the opener at San Jose State. Moss has 4+ tackles in 6 of 10 games.
Sophomore Patrick Mensah recorded a career-high two interceptions against No. 5/7 Richmond (Nov. 7); his first INT set up a UNH touchdown drive that gave the 'Cats a 14-7 first-quarter lead they did not relinquish; he finished that game with four tackles. Mensah made his first career start Sept. 19 at Stony Brook and he recorded four tackles. He made a career-high seven tackles (6-1-7) Oct. 17 at William & Mary and has 34 tackles (29-5-34) in nine games.

In the Trenches: UNH's defensive line is led by senior captain Jullian Turner and classmate Rashid Armand in the middle as well as junior Cam Shorey on the outside. Redshirt freshman Jae'Wuan Horton has proven capable at the opposite end.
Turner has been impressive this season with 10 of his 39 tackles recorded behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks (one each of the first three games); his 10 TFL is tied for the team lead and four sacks ranks second. Turner has also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. He tallied a personal-best six tackles Sept. 12 at Colgate and made five stops four times - vs. Elon (Oct. 3), at Delaware (Oct. 24), vs. URI (Oct. 31) at Albany (Nov. 14). Turner recorded his 100th career tackle at Albany.
Shorey leads the team with six sacks and is tied with Turner atop the team leaderboards with 10 tackles for a loss. Shorey recorded a TFL each of the first eight games of the season. He has sacked the quarterback in 5 of 10 games and tallied a personal-best two against Central Connecticut (Sept. 26). Shorey has 35 tackles (24-11-35), including a career-high seven at Delaware (Oct. 24), and one fumble recovery.
Armand was credited with a career-high five tackles (all assisted) at San Jose State and matched that total with 1-4-5 vs. Rhode Island on Oct. 31. Armand made four stops vs. Colgate. He has 28 tackles in 10 games.
Horton, who did not play Week 2 at Colgate, has tallied 31 tackles (21-10-31) with 5.5 tackles for a loss, including 3.0 sacks, in nine games. He made a career-high six tackles (2-4-6) vs. URI on Halloween. Horton recorded four tackles against both San Jose State and Stony Brook. He made three stops for a loss at SBU and that included two of the team's four sacks; he also forced a fumble on one of those sacks.
Sophomore Mike Boryeskne did not play consecutive games against Rhode Island and Richmond but returned to action last week at Albany, although he did not record a tackle. He recorded five tackles each of the first three games this season and was credited with four stops against Central Connecticut, Elon and William & Mary. He has 28 tackles (15-13-28) and recovered a fumble (at Colgate).

Sideline to sideline: In UNH's defensive formation, the two middle linebackers cover the field sideline to sideline. Senior captain Akil Anderson and junior DeVaughn Chollette lead the Wildcats' linebacking crew.
Unless, that is, they are sidelined by injury. Chollette has missed the past four games and Anderson was a DNP vs. Richmond.
Junior Ryan Farrell has started in Chollette's absence against Delaware, Rhode Island, Richmond and Albany. Last week at Albany, Farrell tied for second on the team with seven tackles (5-2-7). Prior to that, he recorded a sack back-to-back weeks against URI and Richmond with a career-high nine tackles vs. URI and an interception vs. Richmond. In 10 games, Farrell has 36 tackles (21-15-36).
Classmate Kevin McNally got the starting nod in Anderson's place Nov. 7 vs. Richmond and tied for third on the team with five tackles (2-3-5). In nine games, McNally has 32 tackles (9-23-32). He tallied a season-high six tackles with 1-5-6 against both Stony Brook and Delaware.
Anderson – the team's top tackler in 2013 and 2014 – has had a relatively quiet 2015 season with 40 tackles, which ranks fifth on the squad; he recorded a season-high eight stops Oct. 24 at Delaware, and that came one week after a seven-tackle effort at William & Mary; Anderson made six stops Week 2 at Colgate. Chollette has 27 tackles; he recorded a season-high eight tackles (3-5-8) at Colgate.

Special Teams: New Hampshire has a couple of dangerous returners in Casey DeAndrade and Dalton Crossan, which is why the Wildcats lead the CAA in kickoff returns (24.1 yard average) and rank second in punt returns (12.4 yards average); William & Mary is the leader by the slimmest of margins at 12.5 yards per punt return.
DeAndrade doubled up on CAA First Team honors last season when he was named to not only the All-Conference team as a defensive back but as a punt returner as well. He led the league with an average return of 9.1 yards on 22 returns.
DeAndrade had an electrifying 90-yard punt return for a touchdown Oct. 17 at William & Mary. He is averaging 12.7 yards per return with 191 yards on 15 returns.
Crossan was slowed by a leg injury much of the 2014 season and returned late in the year primarily as a kickoff returner. His 32.4 yard average on 14 returns gave him a school record. As a redshirt freshman, Crossan averaged 23.7 yards per kickoff return, which placed him fifth in the CAA.
Crossan didn't lose a step in the offseason. In the 2015 opener at San Jose State, he had three kickoff returns for 102 yards (34.0 average), including a long of 57. For the season, he is averaging 25.6 yards per return (18-460).
Senior Christian Breda held all of New Hampshire's kicking roles – kickoffs, placekicker and punter – until Morgan Ellman took the position of kickoffs the sixth game of the season at William & Mary. Breda was sidelined last week at Albany, and Ellman was perfect in placekicking duties with a 25-yard field goal and three PATs. Max Pedinoff assumed the punting responsibilities and averaged 33.2 yards on four boots; he pinned the Great Danes inside the 20 two times.
In his first year punting, Breda is averaging 38.2 yards per punt. He has pinned the opponents inside the 20 a total of 11 times and recorded a career-long punt of 52 yards vs. Rhode Island on Oct. 31 (but it went into the end zone for a touchback and net of 32 yards). In the season opener at San Jose State, Breda averaged 41.6 yards on nine punts, including a long of 51, and had four inside the 20. In the Oct. 3 game against Elon, Breda averaged 40.7 yards on six punts with a long of 50.
Breda has connected on 6 of 9 field goal attempts – as well as 20 of 24 PATs – for 38 points this season. He made 2 of 3 field goals on a rainy night at Colgate. After drilling the right upright on a 24-yard attempt, he later connected on a career-long 44 yarder and also made a 35-yard attempt. Breda was perfect vs. CCSU with a 24-yard field goal and five PATs. He connected on a 26-yard FG and made 4 of 5 PATs against Elon. Breda missed a 22-yard attempt and was good from 27 yards at W&M. In the Nov. 7 game vs. Richmond, he missed a 30-yarder early in the second quarter and made a 29-yard attempt at 6:35 of the fourth quarter to extend UNH's lead to the final margin of 30-25.

Scouting Maine: The University of Maine has a 3-7 overall record that includes 3-4 in the CAA and 1-4 on the road (1-2 in conference road games). The Black Bears have lost three straight games since defeating Stony Brook University, 23-10, on Oct. 24; last week, they were upended 27-22 by Elon University; they previously lost to Towson University (10-7) and Villanova University (13-3).
Last week, Maine trailed 17-0 at halftime but scored 16 consecutive points to close within a point with 8:14 remaining in the game. Elon scored 10 points in a span of 1 minute, 53 seconds to reestablish a double-digit lead of 27-16 with 1:53 to play. The Black Bears scored with no time remaining for the final six-point margin. Maine outgained Elon, 375-185, and the turnovers were even at three.
Maine has been a strong first quarter team with a 54-33 scoring advantage, but the Black Bears have been outscored 70-19 in the second quarter.
Maine ranks ninth in the CAA in scoring (15.8 points/game) and tied for fourth in scoring defense (21.5 points allowed/game). The Black Bears are second in the league in rushing defense (112.6 yards/game) and third in total defense (310.6 yards/game).

Black Bears To Watch: Randy Samuels is Maine's top tackler with 67, including 7.0 for a loss (two sacks) in 10 games. He also had two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Trevor Bates is tied for second on the team with 52 tackles, including 12 for a loss with 5.5 sacks.
Patrick Ricard has a team-high six sacks as part of his team-best 14 tackles for a loss; he ranks fourth in total tackles with 47 and has also forced three fumbles.
QB Dan Collins has a 94.85 passer efficiency rating. He has completed 117 of 239 passes (49.0%) for 1,300 yards and five TDs with eight INTs. Maine's other signal caller, Drew Belcher, is 74 of 114 for 705 yards, four TDs and two INTs.
The top targets are Micah Wright (53-735, five TDs) and Jordan Dunn (51-497, three TDs). Wright is averaging 13.9 yards per catch and 73.5 yards per game.
Nigel Beckford is the top ground gainer with 485 yards on 111 rushes.