By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

'CAT TALE: Despite allowing 430 yards on the ground, the University of New Hampshire overcame a 24-21 halftime deficit and extended its winning streak to four games by beating Rhode Island, 49-36, in Durham on Saturday.

The victory improved UNH's record to 6-2 overall, 3-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association and 4-0 at home. URI dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-5 in the league. Rhode Island quarterback Derek Cassidy aggravated an ankle injury late in the first half and did not return to the game.

"Derek Cassidy was having a great game," UNH coach Sean McDonnell said. "They were firing on all cylinders and we were really off-balance on the defensive side of the ball, We were very fortunate to get out of there with a win against a good Rhode Island team."

NUMBERS GAME: UNH quarterback Ricky Santos (above) completed 24 of 30 passes for 419 yards against URI and moved into sixth place on the FCS career passing list with 12,189 yards. The top five: Steve McNair (Alcorn State/14,956), Bruce Eugene (Grambling/13,513), Willie Totten (Mississippi Valley State/12,711), Marcus Brady (Cal State Northridge/12,479) and Jamie Martin ((Weber State/12,207).

Safety Jeff Pammer made 14 tackles against the Rams to raise his career total to 305. Only three players in the program's history have more career tackles: Steve Doig (434), Aaron Thomas (343) and Chris McGrath (322).

WORD PLAY: "We very rarely talk about any of these record with (Santos)," McDonnell said. "He's so concerned about the team. So concerned about what he can do to make us better. I'm sure when this is all said and done and he looks back on it he's gonna look at some of the things with some great pride and a great sense of accomplishment for what he's done for himself and, more importantly knowing him, for what he's done for our football program."

LOOKING AHEAD: UNH will play Northeastern at home on Saturday (noon). The Huskies dropped to 1-7 overall (0-5 CAA) following Saturday's 20-14 loss to Maine (2-6, 1-4).

Northeastern senior running back Maurice Murray rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He's tied with Tim Gale (1999-03) for most career rushing touchdowns by a Northeastern player with 36.

Murray has rushed for 886 yards on 192 carries this season. He needs 421 yards to break the program's all-time rushing record, which is held by L.J. McKanas (1998-2001).

Northeastern beat UNH 36-35 last season.

"They've been in every game they've played," McDonnell said. "They're very physical up front on the offensive side of the ball. A great running back in Maurice Murray. A good defense. Everybody keeps telling me about (our) early schedule being tough, this and that. There's not one week that looks easy to me. We went down there last year and they took it to us."

NOTEWORTHY: Plymouth's Mike Boyle caught seven passes for 116 yards and one touchdown against URI, but also lost two fumbles. UNH turned the ball over three times and committed 12 penalties for 107 yards in the game. Keith LeVan also caught seven passes (93 yards, 1 TD). ... URI held UNH to 110 yards on 28 rushing attempts. Chad Kackert led the Wildcat ground attack with 52 yards on 12 carries. ... UNH linebacker Husain Karim was credited with a game-high 21 tackles (three solo). He was one of five UNH players with at least 13 tackles in the game.

"Husain Karim ran to the football very, very well," McDonnell said. "He's a good football player. He has a great motor. I do appreciate the way the kid plays. He's a hard-nosed kid who did what we needed him to do on Saturday.