New Hampshire is out to become the unofficial winner of the Patriot League this week, but more importantly, the Wildcats are looking to advance to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.
On Saturday, New Hampshire visits No. 8 seeded Holy Cross in a second-round matchup.
New Hampshire opened with a 52-42 opening-round playoff win over Fordham, while Holy Cross had a first-round bye.
This season, Holy Cross (11-0, 6-0) won the Patriot League title by virtue of a 53-52 overtime win over Fordham. The difference was the Crusaders going for and converting a two-point conversion after getting to within 52-51 following an overtime touchdown. The Crusaders’ game-winner came on a two-point conversion run by Ayir Asante.
One thing about Saturday’s playoff game that could be said with fairly strong conviction is that points shouldn’t be too difficult to come by.
Holy Cross is fifth among FCS teams in scoring offense, averaging 39.1 points per game. New Hampshire is no slouch, with a 30.6 average.
Holy Cross is also 14th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 19.91 points per game. New Hampshire, meanwhile, allows 27.83 points per game, which is 63rd nationally.
Now comes the disclaimer.
New Hampshire played in a much better conference and consequently a much tougher schedule. The co-champion of the Colonial Athletic Association with William & Mary, New Hampshire (9-3, 7-1) played in a league in which there were five FCS playoff teams.
Meanwhile, Holy Cross and Fordham were the only Patriot League playoff teams and the only ones with winning records in the seven-team league. The other five teams were a combined 14-41.
Holy Cross made up for it by playing a competitive non-conference schedule that included a win over FBS Buffalo and a victory over Ivy League champ Yale.
Regardless of the discrepancy in leagues, it still will be a tall task for New Hampshire to attempt to corral Holy Cross junior quarterback Matthew Sluka, a true dual threat.
Sluka has rushed for 918 yards (5.6 avg.) and eight touchdowns. He has also thrown for 2,301 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.
When Sluka isn’t dissecting defenses with his arm and legs, there is bruising 6-0, 229-pound sophomore running back Jordan Fuller, who knows how to seal the deal.
Fuller’s longest run of the season is just 24 yards, but he is money around the end zone. He has scored 13 touchdowns, or one for every 8.2 carries.
New Hampshire also has an accomplished quarterback. Sophomore Max Brosmer has thrown for 2,912 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
Yet the one player who should strike the biggest fear in Holy Cross’s defense is New Hampshire junior running back Dylan Laube, who is coming off a videogame-type performance in the playoff win over Fordham.
Laube accounted for 424 all-purpose yards while scoring four touchdowns. Even against a Fordham D that allowed 36.17 points per game this season, it was an impressive performance.
Laube rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries. He caught four passes for 127 yards and a score. For good measure, Laube added 119 yards on five kickoff returns and another 21 yards on three punt returns.
While it was the first time this year that the 5-foot-10, 204-pound Laube had at least 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game, he has been a big-play performer all season. He is the FCS leader in all-purpose yards, averaging 201.45 yards per game, nearly 30 more than the second-place player.
If all defenders are focused on Laube, a big play weapon is graduate receiver Heron Maurisseau, who hasn’t received many chances but has made the most of them.
Six of Maurisseau’s 14 receptions have gone for touchdowns. He is averaging 23.79 yards per reception. Last week was a perfect example of Maurisseau making the most of his limited chances. He had one catch for 65 yards and of course, it was a touchdown.
Everywhere one looks on both rosters, there are big-play performers. No lead may be safe in what should be among the more entertaining second-round games this weekend.
