UNH Football Suffers Heavy Defeat to Syracuse in Season Opener

In a challenging start to their season, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) football team was decisively defeated by Syracuse, with a final score of 66-3 at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday. The Wildcats struggled to find their footing against a formidable Syracuse squad, which showcased a powerful offensive performance throughout the game.

Defensively, UNH's Trevor Barry stood out, recording a game-high 11 tackles, which included a sack. His efforts were complemented by Jackson Stone, who achieved a career-high with eight tackles. Despite these individual performances, the Wildcats were unable to contain the Orange's offensive onslaught.

UNH's only points came courtesy of a 46-yard field goal from Lucas Glassburn, following a significant 46-yard run from Joquez Smith. Smith ended the game with 64 rushing yards on just eight carries, highlighting his potential despite the team's overall struggles. Quarterback Brooks Bentley completed 11 of 18 passes for 75 yards, while Tommy McLeish added 24 yards in relief. Myles Thomason was a bright spot for the Wildcats, leading the team with 76 all-purpose yards, including seven receptions for 53 yards.

Syracuse's offense was led by Shavane Anderson Jr., who rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his ability to break through the UNH defense. Quarterback Steve Angeli also had a strong outing, throwing for 263 yards and three touchdown passes, effectively orchestrating the Syracuse offense and keeping the Wildcats on their heels.

This loss marks a disappointing start for UNH, who now holds a record of 0-2 after two games. The Wildcats will look to regroup and find their rhythm as they prepare for their upcoming home opener against Stonehill on Saturday, September 12, with kickoff slated for 6:03 p.m.

As the season progresses, UNH will need to address its defensive vulnerabilities and improve its offensive execution to compete effectively in the remainder of the season. The Wildcats hope to build on their individual performances and turn their fortunes around in the coming weeks.