Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

DURHAM -- When the 20-team field for the NCAA Division I football championship was announced Sunday morning, the University of New Hampshire learned that its season had been extended by not only one, but at least two weeks.

UNH received one of 10 at-large berths and a first-round bye. The Wildcats (7-4) will play Bethune-Cookman University (10-1) in a second-round game Dec. 4 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Bethune-Cookman earned an automatic bid as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's regular-season champion. It will be the first meeting between the two programs.

"We're not really that familiar with them, but if they're in the playoffs you know they're a good team," UNH defensive lineman Steve Young said. "I'm sure they don't know too much about New Hampshire either. I guess we'll have to crank up the heaters and get used to the hot weather."

UNH has qualified for the NCAA tournament in each of the last seven seasons, which is the longest current streak in the country. The Wildcats lost three of their first five games, but have won five of six since then.

UNH has earned opening-round victories in five of the past six postseasons, including a 49-13 triumph against McNeese State of the Southland Conference in 2009. 

"We know what it's like to be in the playoffs and we've done well on the road in the playoffs," UNH running back Sean Jellison said. "I think that's the only advantage you can say that we have."

UNH has a 3-0 record against Hampton University, the only MEAC school it's ever faced. That includes a 41-38 road victory in the first round of the 2006 playoffs. Bethune-Cookman will be making its first playoff apperance since 2004. Bethune-Cookman last appeared in the NCAA playoffs in 2003.

"I know they had a great year," UNH coach Sean McDonnell said. "They were undefeated going into their last game, but had already won the automatic qualifier for the MEAC. Tremendous offensive football team from all indications."  

Bethune-Cookman quarterback Matt Johnson was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year.

UNH quarterback R.J. Toman was sporting a boot on his left foot Sunday. Toman said he injured his ankle during Saturday's victory over Towson, but said he expects to be at full strength for the Bethune-Cookman game.

"I sprained it pretty good," he said. "(The boot) keeps it stable. That way I'm not really moving it around and stuff. It gives it a better chance to heal." 

"We have an extra week to heal up, so it's not a bad deal. You don't miss out on opportunities like this.

"We're really excited to play. Looking forward to it. Can't wait."

FIRST ROUND GAMES

Nov. 27 at Conway, S.C.
Western Illinois (7-4) at Coastal Carolina (6-5)

Nov. 27 at Fargo, N.D.
Robert Morris (8-2) at North Dakota State (7-4)

Nov. 27 at Cedar Falls, Iowa
Lehigh (9-2) at Northern Iowa (7-4)

Nov. 27 at Statesboro, Georgia
South Carolina State (9-2) at Georgia Southern (7-4)

SECOND ROUND GAMES

Dec. 4 at Boone, North Carolina, Noon (ET)
Western Illinois/Coastal Carolina winner at #1 Appalachian State (9-2)

Dec. 4 at Nacogdoches, Texas, 3:30 p.m. (ET)
Villanova (7-4) at Stephen F. Austin (9-2)

Dec. 4 at Cheney, Washington
Southeast Missouri State (9-2) at #5 Eastern Washington (9-2)

Dec. 4 at Bozeman, Montana, 2 p.m. (ET)
Robert Morris/North Dakota State winner at #4 Montana State (9-2)

Dec. 4 at Newark, Delaware
Lehigh/Northern Iowa winner at #3 Delaware (9-2)

Dec. 4 at Daytona Beach, Florida
New Hampshire (7-4) at Bethune-Cookman (10-1)

Dec. 4 at Jacksonville, Alabama, Noon (ET)
Wofford (9-2) at Jacksonville State (9-2)

Dec. 4 at Williamsburg, Virginia
South Carolina St./Georgia Southern winner at #2 William and Mary (8-3)