Battle for Brice-Cowell Musket: UNH v. Maine

[UNH 1999]

Huge game for UNH. With a win I think they will qualify for an at large bid. Maine's defense almost was enough to upset UMass last week. I anticipate that Maine will also be fired up to play the spoiler's role and end UNH's year. Overall, I expect this to be a close game with UNH having enough to win a close one, 21-17.

[UNH SUPERFAN]

I concur, I've been nervous all week about this game. Maybe if UNH scores early it will take something out of Maine coming of a devastating loss to UMass last weekend. At any rate it will probably be a nail-biter.

If by chance UNH wins big and looks real good offensively I think they could go deep into the playoffs. They have had a bad mid-season slump but if they play well Saturday it may show that they are back in top form again.

[rcny46]

I think a major key to a UNH win is the play of the offensive line.They are young,and seem to be improving each week.From what I could see,they played their best game of the season against URI last week.They will have to step up and give Santos the protection he needs,and provide the blocking necessary to get the ground game going against one of the best D lines in 1-AA.If they can hold their own,and the team as a whole keeps TO's and mistakes to a minimum,I think UNH wins.I also think the Wildcat defense will be up to doing what they have to do.A return to the lineup by Mike Boyle would sure help.I think he is their most versatile offensive player,and can change the complexion of a game on his own.We'll see I guess.I've made it to 8 games so far,but this time I'll have to be content with radio coverage.Can't wait.

[Umass74]

IMHO, this could be the best game in I-AA this week. I can't give up a UMass home game, but if I were a non-affiliated college football fan in New England, I'd sure take in this game.

Take UNH's offense and add Maine's defense, you'd have one hellva team.

[UNHWILDCATS05]

Looking like a beautiful day for football on Saturday - Partly cloudy, high of 45...

[WrenFGun]

I'm headed up to Orono for the game, myself. Big Game, obviously. Pretty pumped.

I think New Hampshire's key to victory is executing their offense. Too often this season, UNH has tried to be an offense they are not, trying to run the ball and do this dinky little passes, and they just don't work. When we actually throw the ball 10-15 yards downfield, we're pretty hard to beat. Keep in mind, UNH has already lost a game this year because of an idiotic TO call, and an idiotic 4th down play/fake punt, so we really need to stick to the game plan. Lots of touches for Ball, Brown and Levan, and I'd really like to see more of Matt O'Brien and Bobby Simpson, and less of Chad Kackert and Chris Ward. Bobby Simpson has been our best RB this season, and O'Brien has been terrific as a slot guy/guy out of the backfield. Too often we try and go to a power game with Ward or an option game with Kackert, and neither work. Throw the ball, don't be fancy, and run it to keep the opposition off balance, and we'll win. Try fancy crap against Maine, and we'll lose. It's that simple.

[UNHWILDCATS05]

I'm headed up to Orono for the game, myself. Big Game, obviously. Pretty pumped.

I think New Hampshire's key to victory is executing their offense. Too often this season, UNH has tried to be an offense they are not, trying to run the ball and do this dinky little passes, and they just don't work. When we actually throw the ball 10-15 yards downfield, we're pretty hard to beat. Keep in mind, UNH has already lost a game this year because of an idiotic TO call, and an idiotic 4th down play/fake punt, so we really need to stick to the game plan. Lots of touches for Ball, Brown and Levan, and I'd really like to see more of Matt O'Brien and Bobby Simpson, and less of Chad Kackert and Chris Ward. Bobby Simpson has been our best RB this season, and O'Brien has been terrific as a slot guy/guy out of the backfield. Too often we try and go to a power game with Ward or an option game with Kackert, and neither work. Throw the ball, don't be fancy, and run it to keep the opposition off balance, and we'll win. Try fancy crap against Maine, and we'll lose. It's that simple.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[PantherRob82]

Could use a Maine win, but won't hold my breath.

[ccd494]

I'm not going to lie, I think Maine's the better team. They're a kicker away from having locked down a playoff berth.

[UNHWildCats]

UNH wins toss and will recieve

[UNHWildCats]

LeVan returns the kick 14 yards to the 27

[UNHWildCats]

Santos incomplete towards Ward 2-10
Santos taken down for a loss 3-12
Santos incomplete towards LeVan 4-12
Henry fake punt runs to the Maine 32 for 1st down thats a 43 yard run

[UNHWildCats]

Santos runs for 15 yards 1st down from the 19

[UNHWildCats]

Santos completes pass to David Ball to the 13 2-4
Ward to the 1 yard line 1st down

[UNHWildCats]

TOUCHDOWN NEW HAMPSHIRE

1st opening drive TD allowed by Maine this season

[PantherRob82]

that was quick.

[Appstate29]

wow nice call on the fake punt.

[UNHWildCats]

wow nice call on the fake punt.

Actually the punter saw the guys coming and knew he was gonna be blocked he slid to the side trying to get an opening and saw no one in front of him and ran instead. More a broken play then a fake.

[UNHWildCats]

UNH finally stops Maine at the 6 yard line. On 4th down Maine kicks a FG 7-3 New Hampshire.

[UNHWildCats]

Maine held the ball for 10:30

[UNHWildCats]

New Hampshire 1st-10 from the 27 again.

[UNHWildCats]

Santos comletes to Ball to the Maine 46 great RAC by Ball.

Complete to Ball again to the 43. Thats the end of the 1st Qtr. 7-3 UNH

[UNHWildCats]

Santos completes to Brown to the 32 1st down

[UNHWildCats]

Santos completes to Ward to the 25

[UNHWildCats]

Santos completes to Lynch to the 5 1st and Goal

[UNHWildCats]

TOUCHDOWN NEW HAMPSHIRE

[UNHWildCats]

1st time in 7 weeks Maine has given up more then 1 TD that was in September vs Boston College. PAT hits the post No Good 13-3 UNH

[UNHFan99]

i hope that extra point doesnt haunt us

[UNHWildCats]

UNH stops Maine inside the 10 again. 4th down FG attempt is good. UNH 13 Maine 6

[UNHFan99]

how do u think they are playing UNHWildcats? i missed the beginning of the game

[UNHWildCats]

LeVan runs the kick to the 22 for a 7 yard return.

[UNHWildCats]

the first drive was so so til the botched punt run by Henry. 2nd drive was much better.

[UNHWildCats]

most importantly no false starts today. Thats been there biggest issue lately.

[UNHWildCats]

On 3rd and 5 Santos incomplete to Kackert. 4th down.

[UNHFan99]

thanks for the update

[UNHWildCats]

Maine returns the punt about 11 yards to the 46.

[UNHWildCats]

TOP: maine 19 mins UNH 6 mins

[UNHWildCats]

3rd and long for Maine. Incomplete 4th down.

[UNHWildCats]

another FG attempt. 39 Yard attempt. NO GOOD left. 50 seconds remaining.

[UNHWildCats]

Santos incomplete Flag. 1st flag of the game. Pass Int UNH. 2nd and 20 UNH

[UNHWildCats]

LeVan runs for 3 yards clock runs down HALFTIME UNH 13 Maine 6

[UNHWILDCATS05]

Defense stepping up right now... but bending soo much could hurt in the long run...

[UNHFan99]

sounded like a good fake by henry.

[rcny46]

sounded like a good fake by henry.

It sounded like he didn't have any choice because the punt attempt would have been blocked.

[UNHFan99]

yeah the long snapping has been suspect this year. Sorry i shouldnt have said fake. I should have said instinctive run by henry.

[UNHWildCats]

very foolish Maine.

[UNHWildCats]

Santos ompletes to Ball to the 22 1st down

[UNHWildCats]

I will explain the Maine polay between the next drives.

[UNHWildCats]

Santos runs to the 15 2nd and 4

[UNHWildCats]

no gain for ward

[UNHWildCats]

Santos complete to Brown cl;ose to 1st down

[UNHWildCats]

Good mark, and he picks up the 1st down.

[UNHWildCats]

Santos complete to the 2 yard line.

[MaineFan]

Maine Holds on downs!

[UNHWildCats]

On 3rd down and half yard on there last drive Maine was in shotgun and didnt get the 1st down. on 4th down the QB was at the line tried to draw UNH offside then backed up and took the snap in shotgun and squib kicked it striait up and right back down for no gain on the punt.

[MaineFan]

maine just cant finish off a drive.

[UNHWildCats]

Santos incomplete.
Santos runs for 2 yard gain
Santos runs, flag Holding UNH declined. UNH punts.
Maine returns the punt to UNH 45 great return.

[MaineFan]

TOUCHDOWN MAINE!

[UNHWildCats]

wow the UNH radio feed on Yahoo is delayed a good amount.

[UNHWildCats]

13-13

[MaineFan]

13-13 with 8:08 left in the game.

Whitcomb now owns the career td record at Maine with 68.

[UNHWildCats]

LeVan returns the kick to the 31.

[UNHWildCats]

Santos loses 1 yard.

[UNHWildCats]

Santos sacked back to the 20. 3rd down 21

[MaineFan]

UNH 3 AND OUT! Maine is fired up.

[UNHWildCats]

incomplete to LeVan 4th down.

[UNHWildCats]

out of bounds at the 48 yard line

[UNHWildCats]

3 yard run 2nd 7

[MaineFan]

maine down to the UNH 23!

[MaineFan]

UNH gets a big sack for a loss of 6.

[UNHWildCats]

big sack by UNH

[MaineFan]

Maine going for it on 4th and 1 from the 21

[MaineFan]

UNH holds on downs.

[UNHWildCats]

4th down ball on the 22 <Maine going for 1st down

[UNHWildCats]

BIG stop for UNH

[UNHWildCats]

brown gets 6 yards on 1st down

[UNHWildCats]

Santos shuffle pass to the 34.

[AppGuy04]

anyone got the CN8 feed for this game?

[UNHWildCats]

2:49 remaining. Santos complete to Ward at the 39

[MaineFan]

BIG SACK 4TH DOWN!

[ISUMatt]

gonna be an exciting finish... if UNH loses, that is #4 right...Maine already has 4 right?

[MaineFan]

thats correct..2 of the best 4 loss teams in the country wouldnt make the playoffs.

[MaineFan]

maine at midfield under 40 seconds left.

[MaineFan]

UNH gets a INT inside there own 10.

Looks like OT is coming

[UNHWildCats]

im eerie of OT after what happened at Northeastern :S

[boonedocks]

just got in from work, sorry if it's been posted but does anyone have a link for an audio feed? thanks

[UNHWildCats]

http://media.yahoo.com/broadband/m/go/col/player?key=/nal/fb/maa111806nal

[ISUMatt]

Well that missed XP looms HUGE for UNH right now

[boonedocks]

thanks :thumbsup: :bow: :bow:

[MaineFan]

UNH wins the coin toss and elects to go on defense 1st. Smart move for them.

[UNHWildCats]

UNH makes Maine take the ball first to prevent a Northeastern all over again.

[MaineFan]

maine misses a field goal..what a surprise...thats the reason there not going to the playoffs.

[UNHWildCats]

FG NO GOOD!

[ISUMatt]

Big break for UNH

[MaineFan]

we have by far there worst kicker in the country.

[MaineFan]

UNH down to the 10...game over

[MaineFan]

touchdown game over 19-13 final UNH wins..congrats and good luck in the playoffs.

[UNHWildCats]

TOUCHDOWN NEW HAMPSHIRE
WILDCATS WIN!

[UNH_ORACLE]

PLAYOFFS BABY!!!

[MaineFan]

another tough loss for Maine 3 losses this year by a combined 10 points in conference play.

Please Jack for the Love of God get a kicker. Maine will be very strong next year.

[UNHWILDCATS05]

Awesome game... Offense did what they had to... but key to the game was the defense!!!

[MaineFan]

thanks to the 8 maine seniors..great careers and classy kids. The future is bright for this program.

[rcny46]

Unbelievable.If UNH played games like this every week,I'd be old before my time.Congrats to both teams. :hurray:

[Mr. C]

we have by far there worst kicker in the country.
You ought to ask Georgia Southern about that.

[mainejeff]

thanks to the 8 maine seniors..great careers and classy kids. The future is bright for this program.

The future is only bright if the Maine coaching staff takes the kicking game seriously and Maine gets rid of Jack Cosgrove. This season pretty much sums up the Cosgrove regime at Maine.......enough talent to win games, but can't seem to do the "little things" that win football games.

I'd love to see a better coach on the sidelines with the talent that Maine has.

[Old Cat Fan]

Good win for the cats, should be in the playoffs. I'm still having a hard time trying to figure out this team.I don't know if it's a high performance engine thats needs a tune up or maybe its just a good running engine that just doesn't have alot of horsepower. Whatever they are going to have to play there best game next week if they get selected

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

You ought to ask Georgia Southern about that.

You said it...at least we lost by a field goal in our overtime game...

[rcny46]

Good win for the cats, should be in the playoffs. I'm still having a hard time trying to figure out this team.I don't know if it's a high performance engine thats needs a tune up or maybe its just a good running engine that just doesn't have alot of horsepower. Whatever they are going to have to play there best game next week if they get selected

I think you can make your travel plans.As far as the first round is concerned,I don't think they'll run into a defense as good as Maine's.

[WrenFGun]

UNH played like crap after Santos couldn't get in on the goal-line play, and it's a surprise Maine didn't win it in regulation. Some really terrible play-calls on Maine's part, particularly the Whitcomb deep pass that was an INT with :29 to go. The screens and runs killed us all day. In the end though, by surprise, the defense saved the team twice. If they're really peaking, this is a DANGEROUS team. It's ironic, also, that the plays I've been most against wound up winning the game, particularly the option pitch to Kackert, who should've had a HUGE loss. Good job to get in.

HOORAY FOR UNH on making the playoffs, and also, Maine's got a lot of talent. They're one of the top 2 or 3 staying home, I'd guess.

[mainejeff]

it's a surprise Maine didn't win it in regulation. Some really terrible play-calls on Maine's part, particularly the Whitcomb deep pass that was an INT with :29 to go. The screens and runs killed us all day.......Maine's got a lot of talent. They're one of the top 2 or 3 staying home, I'd guess.

FIRE COSGROVE!

[ccd494]

You ought to ask Georgia Southern about that.


Maine should have beat BOTH UMass and URI, dominated both games, but couldn't kick either an XP (at UMass) or a field goal (URI). They recently had a TWO YEAR STRETCH without a field goal.

The kicking game is a joke. Part of the reason is the treatment of the kickers on the team, I know two recruited kickers who quit within two weeks. One of them spent the whole time holding the first down marker during fall drills and got one opportunity to work on his kicking in the first two weeks before he said screw this and quit.

[Umass74]

Did you freakin' see the time of possession in that game?

Maine 41:25 UNH 18:06 :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[MaineFan]

yeah tough season for the bears..so close yet so far away. Good Luck to Umass,UNH and JMU in the playoffs..bring another national title back to the A-10.

Maine fans have reason to be excited for next year and years to come as long as we get a kicker...onething i was happy to see was the return of the Black Hole defense which was oustanding this year...and should be even better next year.

[mainejeff]

yeah tough season for the bears..so close yet so far away. Good Luck to Umass,UNH and JMU in the playoffs..bring another national title back to the A-10.

Maine fans have reason to be excited for next year and years to come as long as we get a kicker...onething i was happy to see was the return of the Black Hole defense which was oustanding this year...and should be even better next year.

The Cosgrove mentality will prevail.......as long as he is in chrage, Maine is going nowhere.

[UNH 40]

Did you freakin' see the time of possession in that game?

Maine 41:25 UNH 18:06 :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I was at the game it was unbelievable the amount of time that Maine had the ball. UNH only ran 20 plays in the first half and possibly fewer in the second it was unreal. Have they done this in all of there games? or was this just special for UNH? Anyways if the UNH defense can play like they did today they are going to be tough to beat in the playoffs.

[blukeys]

I was at the game it was unbelievable the amount of time that Maine had the ball. UNH only ran 20 plays in the first half and possibly fewer in the second it was unreal. Have they done this in all of there games? or was this just special for UNH? Anyways if the UNH defense can play like they did today they are going to be tough to beat in the playoffs.

No disrespect for Maine but the new rules allow for a slow down offense to control the TOP. One can run off 5 minutes with 3 first downs with the current rules and Maine appears determined to shorten the game and then take their chances at the end.

Congrats to Umass, UNH, and JMU the A-10 has quality reps even if we could have had more. My best to all of the A-10 qualifiers who will all be CAA reps in 2007.

[Old Cat Fan]

Box score guys only 4800 fans

New Hampshire 19, Maine 13

Preview - Box Score - Recap



1 2 3 4 OT Total

New Hampshire 7 6 0 0 6 19 Final

Maine 3 3 0 7 0 13 OT






NEW HAMPSHIRE-TD, R Santos 1 YD RUN (T Manning KICK) 3:30 1st
Qtr
MAINE-FG, D McNeill 23 YD 14:05 1st Qtr
NEW HAMPSHIRE-TD, R Santos 5 YD RUN (PAT FAILED) 1:27 2nd Qtr
MAINE-FG, D McNeill 25 YD 9:57 2nd Qtr
MAINE-TD, A Gordon 22 YD PASS FROM R Whitcomb (D
McNeill KICK) 6:52 4th Qtr
NEW HAMPSHIRE-TD, C Kackert 6 YD RUN 1st Ot


NEW HAMPSHIRE MAINE
First downs 11 21
Rushed-yards 24-94 39-121
Passing yards 156 202
Sacked-yards lost 2-15 1-6
Return yards 0 55
Passes 18-31-1 28-37-1
Punts 4-34.3 3-15
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-0
Penalties-yards 1-11 1-5
Time of possession 18:35 41:25


Individual Statistics

RUSHING: NEW HAMPSHIRE-Matt Henry 1-41, Ricky Santos 16-34, Chris Ward
4-11, Chad Kackert 1-6, Keith Levan 1-3, - Team 1-MINUS 1. MAINE-Ron
Whitcomb 18-62, Teron Allen 7-40, Arel Gordon 9-20, Michael Brusko
2-3, Jerron Pearson 1-1, Jhamal Fluellen 2-MINUS 5.

PASSING: NEW HAMPSHIRE-Ricky Santos 18-31-156- 1. MAINE-Ron Whitcomb
28-37-202- 1.

RECEIVING: NEW HAMPSHIRE-David Ball 5-60, Sean Lynch 2-29, Aaron Brown
4-28, Chris Ward 4-24, Keith Levan 2-10, Robert Simpson 1-5.
MAINE-Arel Gordon 17-100, Jhamal Fluellen 7-57, Matthew Mulligan 2-25,
Manzi Pierre 1-13, Jerron Pearson 1-7.


Att: 4,834

Atlantic 10 Box Scores
Saturday, Nov 18
New Hampshire 19
Maine 13
Final OT

Rhode Island 31
Northeastern 45
Final

Hofstra 16
Massachusetts 22
Final

James Madison 38
Towson 3
Final

Richmond 31
William & Mary 14
Final

Villanova 28
Delaware 27
Final

[blukeys]

The Cosgrove mentality will prevail.......as long as he is in chrage, Maine is going nowhere.


MJ I agree with you in that Cosgrove has underachieved with the talent he has directed to Orono. But I have to give the guy credit, He has attracted some unbelievable first rate talent to Maine (not nescesssarily an easy task) . During the entire Cosgrove reign I have been very impressed with the total talent level at Maine. Most of the alumni of the 2003 Delaware NC team will tell you that Maine was as talented as any team they played.

I don't know why Cosgrove has not turned this talent level into wins but the reality is he has brought great talent to Orono. I would be really pleased if Delaware paid Cosgrove tons of money to be their recruiting coordinator as the guy consistently finds diamonds in the mud.

It appears he doesn't develop them well enough or doesn't motivate/discipline them well enough but in the end he isn't the worst coach Maine could have. The guy recruits well for the A-10 and always has a tough physical team that can play with anyone. Until Maine finds the real deal Cosgrove is still a great guy to have.

[mainejeff]

MJ I agree with you in that Cosgrove has underachieved with the talent he has directed to Orono. But I have to give the guy credit, He has attracted some unbelievable first rate talent to Maine (not nescesssarily an easy task) . During the entire Cosgrove reign I have been very impressed with the total talent level at Maine. Most of the alumni of the 2003 Delaware NC team will tell you that Maine was as talented as any team they played.

I don't know why Cosgrove has not turned this talent level into wins but the reality is he has brought great talent to Orono. I would be really pleased if Delaware paid Cosgrove tons of money to be their recruiting coordinator as the guy consistently finds diamonds in the mud.

It appears he doesn't develop them well enough or doesn't motivate/discipline them well enough but in the end he isn't the worst coach Maine could have. The guy recruits well for the A-10 and always has a tough physical team that can play with anyone. Until Maine finds the real deal Cosgrove is still a great guy to have.

Hey, everyone in Maine seems happy with 5-6 or 6-5 seasons, so what can you do? I'm pretty much numb to it all......honestly, I'm more into the hockey, basketball, and baseball programs now anyway.

I do think that Maine recruiting is going to start taking a hit because of the lack of winning games, especially with the recent success of UNH and UMass.

4,800 at the season finale!.......Holy cow, that's GREAT attendance for the final game of the season in Orono.......it's usually more like 1,500. Must have been a nice day or not televised?

[Umass74]

I was at the game it was unbelievable the amount of time that Maine had the ball. UNH only ran 20 plays in the first half and possibly fewer in the second it was unreal. Have they done this in all of there games? or was this just special for UNH? Anyways if the UNH defense can play like they did today they are going to be tough to beat in the playoffs.


Yes, against UMass they had a 37-27 time-of-possession lead over UMass, even though they did not score a TD until about 2 minutes left in the game.

In that last scoring drive it took them 4:57 to go 51 yards...