New Hampshire routs Lafayette in first round
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Durham, NH (SportsNetwork.com) - New Hampshire opened its 10th straight FCS playoff appearance by pounding Lafayette, 45-7, in the first round on Saturday.
Sean Goldrich threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns, R.J. Harris collected 173 receiving yards and a score, and UNH (8-4) had 10 sacks as it moved into the second round at fifth-seeded Maine next Saturday.
That game will be a CAA Football rematch of UNH's 24-3 home win over the Black Bears (10-2) last Saturday.
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Lafayette (5-7), the Patriot League champion, was the first sub-.500 team to qualify for the playoffs, which began in 1978. The Leopards avoided a shutout by scoring on Mike Duncan's 7-yard touchdown reception from backup quarterback Blake Searfoss with 4:50 left in the fourth quarter.
UNH built a 31-0 halftime lead. Nick Cefalo scored on an 86-yard punt return in the second quarter.
The Wildcats outgained Lafayette, 551 yards to 333. Jay Colbert collected three of their 10 sacks.
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Their run of playoff appearances is the longest active streak in the FCS.