Hughes' FG on final play helps New Hampshire win home opener

DURHAM, N.H. -- Jason Hughes kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired and New Hampshire turned back Rhode Island 27-24 in its Colonial Athletic Association opener on Saturday. Rhode Island pulled even with the Wildcats (1-2, 1-0 CAA) at 24-all on Zoe Bryant Jr .'s 2-yard touchdown run that capped a 13-play, 77-yard drive and took 4:16 off the clock. But that still left true freshman quarterback Max Brosmer and New Hampshire 90 seconds to make something happen. Dylan Laube returned the kickoff 27 yards to the New Hampshire 28 yard-line and Brosmer hooked up with Brian Espanet for a 41-yard gain on first down. Brosmer later kept the drive alive by running for eight yards on third-and-4, setting the stage for Hughes. The Wildcats took a 7-0 lead just two plays into the game when Brosmer connected with Malik Love for a 78-yard score.