UNH DEFENSIVE COACHES NAMED "GAME CHANGING COACHES OF THE WEEK"

DURHAM, N.H.- UNH coaches on the defensive side of the football were honored today by Footballscoop.com as “Game Changing Coaches of the Week” after leading the Wildcats to an impressive 23-16 road win over FBS foe Ball State.

The New Hampshire defense earned a safety and completely shut down the Cardinals run game.  Under defensive coordinator Sean McGowan, the Wildcats limited Ball State to 9 first downs, 13 yards rushing, 127 total yards, and held Ball State to a mark of 4 of 16 on third down conversions.  New Hampshire was able to force three turnovers and recorded five quarterback sacks.  Ball State was held to 27 yards in the first half on 24 plays.  The Wildcats are now ranked No. 6 in the most recent Sports Network FCS top 25 poll. The win was the fifth consecutive over an FBS team for New Hampshire, which also defeated Rutgers (2004), Northwestern (2006), Marshall (2007), and Army (2008).

UNH has allowed just 30 points in two games played this season and is ranked No. 4 in the nation in total defense with an average of 162.50 yards given up to opponents this season. The Wildcats are also ranked No. 7 in rushing defense with an average of 36.50 yards per game and ranked No. 8 in sacks with an average of 4.0 per contest.

The UNH defense and the rest of the Wildcats are off this week, but return to action at home on Sept. 26 vs. Dartmouth. Game time is 12 p.m. at Cowell Stadium and tickets are available online at www.unhwildcats.com.