Buffaloes at a glance
Record: 2-0
Last week: Defeated Nebraska, 33-28
Statistical leaders
Passing
Steven Montez, Jr.: 55-for-75, 689 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Travon McMillian, Sr.: 18 att., 128 yards, 1 TD
Kyle Evans, Sr.: 24 att., 84 yards
Beau Bisharat, Jr.: 7 att., 52 yards
Receiving
Laviska Shenault, So.: 21 catches, 388 yards, 2 TD
KD Nixon, So.: 11 catches, 151 yards, 1 TD
Jay MacIntyre, Sr.: 9 catches, 55 yards, 2 TD
Defense
LB Nate Landman, So.: 28 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT
LB Rick Gamboa, Sr.: 20 tackles
DE Mustafa Johnson, So.: 16 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4.5 TFL
5 Buffs to watch vs. New Hampshire
DE Israel Antwine: The true freshman was a star in preseason camp, but has been in on just two tackles to this point. This could be a great game for Antwine to make an impact up front.
WR Kabion Ento: Although he doesn’t have a catch — and has been targeted just once — Ento could get on the board this week and have a big day.
RB Kyle Evans: The Buffs’ starting tailback will be looking to bust loose this week as CU aims to get the run game going.
CB Chris Miller: Arguably CU’s best corner early in preseason camp, Miller has yet to play on defense as he’s been recovering from a hamstring injury. He’ll make his defensive debut this week.
P/K Davis Price: A week ago, his lone job was to be the kickoff specialist. He adding punting duties when Alex Kinney went down with a broken collarbone vs. Nebraska. And, with placekicker James Stefanou hobbled, Price may wind up kicking field goals and extra points this week.
Bottom line for CU
Everything on paper suggests this will be a relatively easy win for the Buffaloes. Ideally for CU, this will play out like the Idaho State game two years ago (56-7 CU win), allowing them to play some younger players throughout the second half. If the Buffs have a letdown after the big win at Nebraska, it’ll be harder task, similar to last year’s 41-21 win against Northern Colorado, when the Buffs needed a 13-0 run in the final 20 minutes to pull away.
Wildcats at a glance
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to Colgate, 10-3
Statistical leaders
Passing
Christian Lupoli, So.: 19-for-37, 231 yards, 1 TD
Trevor Knight, Sr.: 3-for-8, 25 yards
Rushing
Evan Gray, Jr.: 16 att., 67 yards
Carlos Washington, Fr.: 13 att., 22 yards
Trevon Bryant, Sr.: 13 att., 21 yards
Receiving
Neil O’Connor, Sr.: 12 catches 132 yards
Kieran Presley, Sr.: 4 catches, 25 yards
Carlos Washington, Fr.: 2 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD
Defense
LB Quinlen Dean, Jr. 27 tackles, 1 sack, 3.5 TFL
S Evan Horn, So.: 14 tackles, 1 INT
DE Jae’Wuan Horton, Sr.: 10 tackles, 2 sacks, 4.5 TFL
5 Wildcats to watch vs. CU
LB Quinlen Dean: One of the best linebackers in the Colonial Athletic Association, Dean is often around the ball making plays. The Buffs have to be mindful of Dean’s location throughout the game.
RB Evan Gray: The UNH run game is off to a slow start, but Gray has talent to bust loose. He has 783 yards and nine touchdowns in his career and will be aiming for a big game this week.
DE Jae’Wuan Horton: So far this season, he has been the Wildcats’ most productive defensive lineman, with two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss.
QB Christian Lupoli: He will get his second career start in place of injured senior Trevor Knight. Lupoli has led the offense to just one touchdown while playing most of the last two games.
WR Neil O’Connor: An FCS All-American last year, O’Connor is the UNH’s top target in the passing game and Lupoli will be looking his way often against the Buffs.
Bottom line for New Hampshire
This is obviously a tough task for a Wildcats team that is off to a slow start. Head coach Sean McDonnell said this week: “When we look at it as a program, this is going to be one of the top challenges, if not the top challenge, we’ve faced on a football field in a long, long time.” While a win is the top goal, the Wildcats need to get some more production on offense and take some confidence into their bye week.
