DURHAM--Former Souhegan High School standout Sean Jellison rushed for 125 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown run, and also had a 30-yard TD reception to lead eighth-ranked University of New Hampshire to a 24-14 non-conference victory against St. Francis (Pa.) University on Saturday at Cowell Stadium.

The game marked the season opener for each team. UNH has won five consecutive home openers and six of the last seven season openers.

UNH quarterback R.J. Toman completed 11 of 23 passes for 95 yards and two TDs. Kevon Mason had three catches for 17 yards, including a 5-yard TD reception. Safety Hugo Souza recorded six tackles (five solo), two pass breakups, recovered a fumble and blocked a 45-yard field goal attempt.

Wide receiver Antoine Rivera led the Red Flash offense. Rivera made six receptions for 72 yards. Freshman John Kelly completed 13 of 30 pass attempts for 133 yards. He tossed a 15-yard TD pass to Anthony Howze.

Calvin Williams was SFU's leading rusher with 46 yards on 15 carries. Matthew Parker highlighted the defensive effort with 13 tackles (nine solo), including a sack, and a pass breakup.

UNH scored on each of its first three possessions and built a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The 'Cats marched 66 yards on 10 plays on their opening drive and took a 7-0 advantage at 10:12 when Toman found Mason in the back corner of the end zone from 5 yards out.

Following a three-and-out by SFU, the Wildcats went 49 yards on six plays to extend the lead to 14-0 at 6:06. The 'Cats faced a fourth-and-two play on the SFU 30 and Toman beat the blitz with a quick pass to Jellison in the flat. Jellsion raced down the left sideline for the score.

UNH regained possession with 1:36 to play in the opening quarter and needed 29 seconds to push the lead to 21-0. Toman's 11-yard completion to Dontra Peters advanced the ball to the UNH 30, then Jellison broke through the middle of the line of scrimmage and outran the defense to the end zone.

On the ensuing kickoff, Kyle Harbridge caught the ball at the SFU 14, followed the wedge up the middle, eluded two UNH defenders and went untouched for an 86-yard kickoff return that helped trim the deficit to 21-7 with 56 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The 'Cats increased their lead to 24-7 when Tom Manning made a 35-yard field goal with 7:11 left in the half.

SFU scored on its final possession of the first half to close within 24-14. The Red Flash began the drive at the UNH 41 with 1:40 on the clock. Following a pass-interference call that moved the ball 15 yards, a pair of Jude Yearwood runs advanced the ball to the UNH 17. The next two plays netted zero yards, but on third down Kelly lofted a pass to the right side of the end zone, where Howze leapt in the air, tipped the ball and then corralled it as he fell to the ground with :05 on the clock.

Each team had nine scoreless possessions in the second half.

UNH will play at Ball State on Saturday night..