WORCESTER — Holy Cross tailback Peter Oliver was the Crusaders’ reply to the weather.
The 6-0, 222-pound, a senior from close by Auburn, rushed for 175 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns to energy Holy Cross to a 35-19 victory over New Hampshire within the second spherical of the FCS playoffs on a wild, moist and windy Saturday afternoon at Fitton Field.
The No. 8 seed and No. 6 ranked Crusaders improved to 12-0 and can face the winner of the South Dakota State vs. Delaware match within the FCS quarterfinals.
“He was a warrior and I think a lot of guys out there were warriors today,” mentioned Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney. “I loved watching him just battle, pad level knee drives and protecting the ball. There were sometimes four and five guys ripping at the ball and he kept it pinned to his chest. Just a phenomenal effort all the way around.”
Holy Cross compelled 5 turnovers, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, together with eight tackles for a loss and its NCAA-leading eighth blocked punt of the season.
Holy Cross twin risk quarterback Matthew Sluka handed for one landing and rushed for 2. UNH quarterback Max Brosmer accomplished 21-of-36 passes for 242 yards with two touchdowns and three picks.
“It was a battle overall and when you get out there you know nothing is going to come easy,” mentioned Chesney. “They are a very good football team, well coached and they play with that edge and energy and that inspiration.”
The first half was a comedy of errors that rendered sporadic offense and an American League baseball rating. Holy Cross free security Walter Reynolds intercepted Brosmer’s preliminary go try and arrange the sport’s first scoring drive. Oliver carried the ball 5 occasions and scored on a 39-yard run off left deal with to make it 6-0 with 7:27 to play.
UNH’ s punt return unit put the Wildcats on the board with a security. Defensive finish Josiah Silver blocked Patrick Haughney’s punt from the 12 and the ball rolled out of the top zone with 3:30 to play.
The Crusaders’ first misplaced fumble of the season gave UNH the ball on the HC 40. UNH had a primary and objective from the 4 however settled for a 24-yard subject objective by Nick Mazzie to make it 7-5 with 5:20 to play within the half.
“Whether it is 30-5 or 7-5, we are not paying attention to that score at halftime,” mentioned Chesney. “We look at what are we doing well and what adjustments are they likely to make.”
The Holy Cross protection strip sacked Brosmer on the Wildcats’ opening drive of the third quarter on the UNH 33 with 13:47 to play. Oliver capped the following six-play drive with a four-yard run to make it 14-5.
Reynolds returned his second interception of the sport 51 yards to the UNH 19. Sluka made it 21-7 with a 5-yard landing toss to Jalen Coker with 4:17 to play within the third.
“I am back there for a reason and being able to make the plays you are supposed to and being able to put yourself in a position to make them,” mentioned Reynolds.
UNH responded with is finest sustained drive of the sport. Brosmer accomplished 5 of six passes and capped the journey with an 11-yard throw to separate finish Kyle Lepkowski with 2:07 remaining within the quarter. Lepkowski dropped Brosmer’s go on the two-point conversion.
Sluka scored on a 3-yard keeper to make it 28-11 with 10:50 to play. He made it 35-11 with a tremendous 47-yard landing run with 6:17 to play.
Source: www.bostonherald.com