By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

'CAT TALE: The University of New Hampshire defense came up with four turnovers (three interceptions) and didn't allow a touchdown in a 40-3 triumph over Hofstra on Saturday. The victory, the team's third in a row, improved UNH's record to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Colonial Athletic Conference.

"We're getting better (defensively)," UNH coach Sean McDonnell said. "Some of the kids are getting better. They're buying into the system.

"We had four turnovers in the game and that really helped. I thought we played pretty hard on the road."

NUMBERS GAME: UNH quarterback Ricky Santos returned to action after missing a non-league game against Iona with a shoulder injury. Santos was named the CAA's Offensive Player of the Week after he completed 19 of 23 passes for 262 yards and four touchdowns against Hofstra. He also added a 1-yard TD run.

"Obviously it was good to have Ricky back," McDonnell said.

LOOKING AHEAD: UNH will face Rhode Island at Cowell Stadium on Saturday. URI dropped to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the CAA following Saturday's38-6 loss to Richmond. Junior running back Joe Casey moved into fifth place on URI's all-time rushing list during the Hofstra game, but injured his shoulder in the loss.

"He's still being evaluated," Rhode Island coach Tim Stowers said. "He is injured."

WORD PLAY: "New Hampshire's got a good football team. I've been coaching 27 years, 20 at this level, and I've only seen one player that's as exciting to watch as (Santos) is and that was Tracy Ham, a quarterback we had at Georgia Southern (1983-86). (Santos) makes everyone play harder because they know something good is going to happen. When he was being recruited he wasn't at the top of anyone's list. He's at the top of everyone's list now."

-- Stowers

NOTEWORTHY: UNH is averaging 40.9 points per game and ranks first among CAA teams in scoring offense. URI is allowing an average of 34.3 points per contest. ... UNH has converted on 10 of 13 fourth-down attempts this season. ... UNH wide receiver Keith LeVan caught seven passes for 121 yards against Hofstra. ... Despite the lopsided loss, Hofstra had a 474-377 edge in net offense. ... Rhode Island's Greg Wicks, a freshman quarterback, lives in Bedford and played at Tabor Academy. ... UNH is ranked ninth in the latest Coaches Football Championship Subdivision poll. ... UNH will play three of its four remaining games at home. ... Saturday's game is scheduled to start at noon.