Caleb Mead (4) had UNH's only touchdown in a 41-10 playoff loss Saturday in Durham. (Photo courtesy of UNH Athletics)

DURHAM – Grad student Ryan Toscano of Bedford made a career-high 18 tackles and senior Caleb Mead scored a touchdown on a 95-yard kickoff return, but the 16th-seeded and 19th-ranked University of New Hampshire football team was defeated 41-10 by 23rd-ranked UT Martin in Saturday afternoon’s FCS first round playoff game at Wildcat Stadium.

Mead amassed a total of 190 all-purpose yards with four kickoff returns for 154 yards as well as five carries for a team-high 36 rushing yards. The 95-yard kickoff return was UNH’s longest play of the season.

Wande Owens also recorded double-digit tackles with 10 and Flex Ruiz finished with four tackles, including a strip-sack.

UT Martin was led offensively by Kindead Dent, who completed 17 of 26 passes for 246 yards and rushed 10 times for 56 yards with a two-yard TD run. Patrick Smith, with 15 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown, led a balanced rushing attack that churned out 236 yards.

UNH, which took a four-game winning streak into the postseason, ends the season at 8-5. UT Martin improves to 9-4 and advances to play top-seeded Montana State University.

Rashad Raymond rushed up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Skyhawks a 7-0 lead at 6:59 of the first quarter. Mead then returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to bring the game to a 7-7 at 6:45.

A 30-yard field goal attempt was good by Jaren Van Winkle at 13:50 to put the visitors back on top, 10-7, at 13:50 of the second quarter. Smith’s three-yard TD run capped a 6-play, 81-yard drive that extended UT Martin’s lead to 17-7 at 10:38.

UNH quarterback Seth Morgan intended a pass down the right sideline to Logan Perez, but it was intercepted by JaMichael McGoy at the goal line to end UNH’s scoring threat. The Skyhawks marched 80 yards in seven plays as Dent scored on a quarterback keeper to push the margin to 24-7 at 2:36.

Van Winkle’s 36-yard field goal with 13 seconds on the clock sent UT Martin into halftime with a 27-7 advantage at the break.

Nick Mazzie connected on a 41-yard field to bring the Wildcats within 17 of the Skyhawks, 27-10, at 6:42 of the third quarter. On UNH’s next possession, the Wildcats were stopped on fourth down and UT Martin converted excellent field position from the UNH 39 into a 4-yard touchdown run by Trevonte Rucker for a 34-10 lead at 12:46 of the fourth quarter.

Glover Cook’s 1-yard TD run capped the scoring at 7:07.