WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Matthew Sluka accounted for 3 touchdowns, Peter Oliver ran for 175 yards and scored twice, and No. 8-seed Holy Cross was by no means threatened in its 35-19 win over New Hampshire within the second spherical of the FCS playoffs on Saturday.
The Crusaders (12-0) by no means trailed. They advance to play the winner between top-ranked South Dakota State and Delaware.
Oliver’s 39-yard landing run with 7:27 left within the first quarter completed a six-play, 63-yard drive arrange after Crusaders security Walter Reynolds got here up with the primary of three interceptions of New Hampshire quarterback Max Brosmer.
Holy Cross pulled away after a 7-5 halftime lead with two touchdowns in each the third and fourth quarters. Oliver ran it in from the 4 4 minutes into the second half. Later, Sluka threw a 5-yard rating to Jalen Coker with 4:17 left within the third for a 21-5 benefit. That rating was arrange when Reynolds obtained his second interception, choosing off Brosmer after the ball bounced off the outstretched hand of operating again Dylan Laube. Reynolds intercepted the ball on the Crusaders’ 30-yard line and didn’t cease operating till being pushed out of bounds on the Wildcats’ 19-yard line.
New Hampshire responded with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that lasted a mere 2:10 and ended when Brosmer threw an 11-yard scoring move to Kyle Lepkowski. That play diminished the deficit to 21-11 simply earlier than the top of the third however Holy Cross closed the door when Sluka ran it in from the three to finish a 10-play, 75-yard drive that lasted greater than six minutes.
Sluka ran for a pair of scores and carried it 12 occasions for 103 yards. Oliver amassed his 175 yards on 30 carries.
Brosmer threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns to associate with the three interceptions.
Holy Cross earned a first-round bye and was internet hosting a second-round sport for the primary time in program historical past.
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