Courtesy of UNH Athletics

The New Hampshire Wildcats football team pulled off a big upset on Saturday afternoon, beating the No. 6 ranked Monmouth Hawks 34-13 on the road. This was more than just a victory; it was a statement that the Wildcats are still a program to be reckoned with in the CAA. The win snapped the Hawks’ six-game winning streak.

The game started with Monmouth taking an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Wildcats would respond, on both sides of the ball. The Wildcats’ offense, spearheaded by quarterback Matt Vezza, responded right away. Vezza’s 13-yard touchdown run knotted the score at 7-7 , and kicker Nick Reed—who had a monster day—drilled field goals from 31 and a career-best 53 yards before halftime, giving UNH a 13-7 advantage. Monmouth managed to tie it up just before the half, the second half belonged entirely to New Hampshire.

The UNH defense took over, holding Monmouth’s high-powered offense to a season-low 304 total yards, recording five sacks, and forcing two crucial second-half turnovers. After the Wildcats marched 75 yards to open the third quarter, capped by a 22-yard touchdown run from Myles Thomason (who finished with 95 rushing yards), the defense broke the game open.

Following a strip sack by Jordan Mcallister, the offense capitalized immediately. Running back Denzell Gibson scored on a 27-yard reception from Vezza, making it 27-13. The finishing touch was administered late in the fourth quarter when Vezza connected with Ryan Blagg for a 12-yard touchdown pass, making it 34-13.

The Wildcats’ ability to control the clock and capitalize on the Hawks’ mistakes was the key. They executed a classic road game strategy: win the turnover battle and control the line of scrimmage.

The win keeps UNH’s (6-4, 4-2 CAA) faint FCS playoff hopes alive but it is also a reminder that Ricky Santos’ squad could play with and beat any team in the conference.