Vezza's Three TDs Leads UNH Past NC Central, 27-10

Saturday, August 30

Durham, N.C.

6 PM

University of New Hampshire

1-0 , 0-0

North Carolina Central

1-1 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

New Hampshire

N.C. Central

Photo by: Gil Talbot

8/30/2025 10:55:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore quarterback Matt Vezza (Elmhurst, Ill.) threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to lead the University of New Hampshire football team to a 27-10 victory against North Carolina Central University in Saturday night's season opener at O'Kelly Riddick Stadium.

In his first career start, Vezza completed 10 of 17 passes for 186 yards and the two scores to tight ends Denin Limouris (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and Peyton Strickland (Goffstown, N.H.). He also had 11 rushes for 36 yards, including the 9-yard TD.

Senior wide receiver Caleb Burke (Johnstown, Pa.) was the top target with five catches for 78 yards. Senio running back Myles Thomason (Montclair, N.J.) had 139 all-purpose yards with 22 rushes for 76 yards and two punt returns for 63 yards.

UNH's defense – which recorded five tackles for loss, including three sacks – was led by redshirt freshman linebacker Trevor Barry (Elma, N.Y.) game-high 10 tackles. Junior cornerback Darren Burton II (Newark, N.J.) finished with two tackles for loss, including a sack.

Junior defensive tackle Cameron Garner-Young (Laurel, Md.) finished with three tackles and blocked a field goal. Raleigh Collins III (Philadelphia, Pa,) recorded the only takeaway in the game with an interception.

UP NEXT

UNH returns to action Sept. 6 for its home opener vs. Holy Cross. Opening kickoff for Youth Day is 6 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.

Buy tickets online at unhwildcats.com/tickets or e-mail unh.tickets@unh.edu or call (603) 862-4000.

FIRST QUARTER

Garner-Young blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt to keep the game tied, 0-0, at 3:00 of the first quarter.

UNH's defense provided a big stop on an NCCU 4th-and-5 play when captain Zach Garron (Bedford, N.H.) sacked Walker Harris for a 10-yard loss to the UNH 40.

SECOND QUARTER

Nick Reed (Harrison, N.Y.) scored UNH's first points of the season on a 29-yard field goal to give the Wildcats a 3-0 lead at 9:17.
On 3^rd-and-goal play-action, Vezza found Limouris alone in the left flat for a four-yard touchdown and Reed's PAT kick extended the advantage to 10-0 at 3:00.
That score was set up two plays earlier by a 28-yard strike from Vezza to Chase Wilson (Lake Charles, La.) down the left sideline to the NCCU 2 yard-line.

Kalen Robison's 35-yard field goal lifted NC Central within 10-3 with 10 seconds on the clock.

THIRD QUARTER

Vezza scored on a 9-yard quarterback draw around the right tackle when he lunged for the goal line to give UNH a 16-3 lead at 4:42. Vezza threw for 53 yards, including a 46-yard completion to Burke, on the drive.
On UNH's next possession, Vezza completed a short pass over the middle to Peyton Strickland (Goffstown, N.H.) and he went the rest of the way to the end zone for a 65-yard score. On the 2-point PAT, Vezza found Colby Ramshaw (Londonderry, N.H.) alone in the back of the end zone to give UNH a 24-3 lead at 1:22.

NCCU responded with a 3-play drive capped by a 65-yard TD pass from Harris to Mehki Wall to lift the Eagles within 24-10 with 36 seconds left in the third quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

New Hampshire's defense kept momentum in the Wildcats' favor by stopping back-to-back NCCU drives on third down sacks by Burton II and Justice Akinmoladun (Grandview, Ill.), respectively.

Reed's 39-yard field goal, which was set up by Thomason's 28-yard punt return pushed UNH's lead to 27-10 at 5:32.

UNH NOTEBOOK

Limouris' four-yard TD catch was the senior tight end's first career catch and touchdown.
It was Garner-Young's first career blocked kick.
Vezza scored his first career rushing TD on the 9-yard QB draw.
The 186 yards and two passing TDs both marked career highs.
Strickland's 65-yard score marked his first career touchdown.
Matt Guidebeck (North Reading, Mass.) averaged 39.3 yards per punt on six punts with a long of 55. He pinned NCCU inside the 20 three times.