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WILDCATS READY TO BATTLE MAINE FOR THE BRICE-COWELL MUSKET, THE CAA NORTH DIVISION TITLE, AND A SPOT IN THE NCAA PLAYOFFS: Every new game seems to be bigger than the last, but no contest this season has bigger implications than this one, as UNH and Maine battle for the Brice Cowell Musket (awarded annually to the winner of the contest), the CAA North title, as both teams are 5-2 and tied for first, and an opportunity to possibly secure a spot in the NCAA FCS playoffs with a win this week. Fans can expect a very physical, hard-fought game between these two New England rivals. Maine is riding a six-game winning streak and UNH has won four of its last five contests. Both teams have celebrated victories over Massachusetts in recent weeks, which set the table for this decisive, end of the regular season, matchup.

DURHAM, N.H. – The University of Maine is offering a great ticket deal for the upcoming football game this weekend, Sat., Nov. 22 at Orono, Maine. For this game, which features the 11th ranked Wildcats at the 17th ranked Black Bears, fans may purchase tickets for only $5.00! The ticket deal is available only until Friday at 4 p.m. Ticket prices will go back to the original $16.00 on the day of the game. Fans interested in purchasing tickets at the discounted price should click here to download the order form and fax it back to the University of Maine, at the number listed on the form.

RICHMOND, Va.—Senior linebacker Matt Parent (Long Beach, Calif.) was named the Sports Network National Defensive Player of the Week and the Colonial Athletic Association’s Defensive Player of the Week for his outstanding efforts in the University of New Hampshire’s 52-21 victory over New England rival Massachusetts on Nov. 15.

The winner of the Bill Knight Trophy, awarded annually to the MVP of the UNH/UMass football game, tied a league-record for the longest-ever interception return when he picked off a Liam Coen pass and took it back 100 yards for a score.  The pick-six, which was the first in league play since JMU's Tony LeZotte took an interception back 100 yards against Towson in 2005, put the Wildcats on top 10-0 midway through the first quarter. 

This is the sixth installment of "Cat Trax," a series of feature stories that will periodically appear on the UNH athletics Web site.

By Anthony DeAngelis, UNH Athletic Media Relations

As senior punter and place kicker Tom Bishop (Newfield, N.Y.) booted a career-high 46-yard field goal through the uprights during New Hampshire’s whopping 52-21 victory over Massachusetts (Nov. 16), it was just business as usual for the little-known kid from upstate New York.

RICHMOND, Va.—University of New Hampshire redshirt freshman tight end Chris Jeannot (Moon Township, Pa.) was named the Colonial Athletic Association’s Rookie of the Week for his two touchdown catches in the Wildcats’ 52-21 victory over Massachusetts on Nov. 15. Jeannot’s TD catches accounted for 92 of the Wildcats' 295 receiving yards.  The 6-6, 230-pounder logged a 77-yard touchdown catch in the closing minutes of the first half — the first TD-catch of his career. 

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DURHAM, N.H. – Matt Parent (Long Beach, Calif.) recorded six tackles, two fumble recoveries and a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown to lead the 13th-ranked University of New Hampshire football team to Saturday afternoon’s 52-21 CAA victory against 22nd-ranked University of Massachusetts on Senior Day at Cowell Stadium.
    UNH improves to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the CAA while UMass is now 6-5, 3-4.
    Parent was named the recipient of the 23rd Annual Bill Knight Award, which is presented to the most outstanding player in the game between these programs. He is the third defensive player to earn the award. The Wildcats’ defense forced six turnovers and five three-and-outs in 15 Minutemen possessions.
    UNH’s balanced offense amassed 326 rushing yards and 295 passing yards for a total of 621 yards. R.J. Toman (Mission Viejo, Calif.) completed 10 of 18 attempts for 295 yards and four touchdowns; he also had a 43-yard rushing TD and 61 yards on the ground. Mike Boyle (Plymouth, N.H.) had four receptions for 147 yards and one TD, and he also had two carries for 42 yards. Chris Jeannot (Moon Township, Pa.) caught two passes – both for scores – for 92 yards.

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WILDCATS TO PLAY HUGE RIVALRY GAME VS. UMASS AT COWELL STADIUM: Both UNH and UMass are coming off losses this past week, the Wildcats losing at Villanova (24-13) and the Minutemen losing by just one point vs. Maine, 21-20. Neither team has time to worry about the past as the 6-4, 3-3 CAA UMass squad travels to Durham to battle a 7-2, 4-2 CAA UNH team. The Wildcats had their opportunities to win but made some mistakes that ended key drives, from penalties, to sacks, to a missed field goal. UMass played Maine in a battle of defenses, but in the end missed an extra point on the last TD of the contest, which was the difference in the heartbreaking loss. UNH is in the midst of a playoff hunt with just two losses this season, so the Wildcats will have plenty to play for in addition to the tradition of this rivalry. UMass and UNH have been in many battles for conference championships over the years and both teams are in the running to win the North Division of the CAA, along with Maine. UNH is 4-2, Maine is 4-2 and UMass is 3-3, so there is still much at stake for both teams. Also up for grabs is the Bill Knight Trophy, which is awarded annually to the MVP of the UNH/UMass football game.  Last, but not least it is Senior Day and the Wildcats will be saying farewell to 12 seniors who have given their all to the UNH football program over the past four or five years.

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VILLANOVA, PA.--Wide receiver Phil Atkinson scored with 8:56 to play on a 17-yard run after a long pitch by quarterback Chris Whitney to lead No. 6 Villanova to a 24-13 victory over the University of New Hampshire on Saturday. Villanova improves its record to 7-2 overall, 5-1 CAA, while UNH fell to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in conference.

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UNH RIDING THREE-GAME WINNING STREAK AND DEFENSE IS ONE OF SQUAD'S TOP OFFENSIVE WEAPONS IN THE LAST TWO CONTESTS:  UNH is in the midst of a three-game winning streak and a key to that stretch has been the defense creating turnovers and emerging as a key part of the offense. In the last two games, UNH has returned three interceptions for touchdowns and has recorded nine overall turnovers, seven against Hofstra last week in the form of two fumble recoveries and five interceptions. That's not to say the offense hasn't been scoring, as tight end Scott Sicko and running back Robert Simpson each scored two TDs vs. Hofstra. This week the competition looks to be even tougher as the Wildcats take on the Wildcats when UNH travels to battle No. 6 ranked Villanova, a team that that has won six of its last seven with the lone loss being a heartbreaker to No. 1 James Madison (23-19).

RICHMOND, Va.-- Sophomore corner Dino Vasso (Crum Lynne, Pa.) was named the ECAC and Co-CAA Defensive Player of the Week for his outstanding defensive efforts in UNH's victory over Hofstra on Nov. 1 (45-25). 

Vasso led the Wildcats on the day with 12 total tackles, including one for a loss of seven yards and forced a fumble.  He hauled in two of New Hampshire's five interceptions of the contest and returned his fourth-quarter pick 66 yards for a touchdown, making the score 45-17.

The Wildcat defense forced seven Pride turnovers on the day, including interceptions by Vasso (2, 1 TD), John Clements (1, 1 TD), Hugo Souza (1) and Ryan Hinds (1). The defense also recovered two fumbles.  UNH returned three interceptions for touchdowns combined in wins over Towson and Hofstra.