Max Brosmer had a career high four TD passes in UNH's loss on Saturday night in Durham. (AP photo)

DURHAM — Sophomore quarterback Max Brosmer threw for a career-high four touchdowns, but the 25th-ranked University of New Hampshire football team was defeated 45-27 by North Carolina Central University in Saturday night’s CAA matchup at Wildcat Stadium.

Brosmer completed 25 passes on a career-high 45 attempts for a personal best of 296 yards and the four TDs. Redshirt freshman Joey Corcoran (Montreal, Quebec) finished with career highs in both receptions (seven) and receiving yards (81).

Freshman DJ Linkins (District Heights, Md.) recorded his first two career catches – both for touchdowns. Junior running back Dylan Laube (Westhampton, N.Y.) had 10 carries for 44 yards and five catches for 66 yards.

Junior linebacker Bryce Shaw (Raynham, Mass.) finished with a game-high 10 tackles.

NCCU was led offensively by quarterback Davius Richard, who passed for 194 yards and two TDs and rushed for 140 yards and a score. J’Mari Taylor had a pair of rushing touchdowns.

UNH is now 2-1 and NC Central improves to 3-0.

NC Central jumped out to a 14-point lead and remained in front the rest of the way. Richard scored on a 20-yard run to cap a 7-play, 67-yard drive at 10:48, then Khalil Baker scored on a 33-yard interception return at 9:10.

UNH responded with a 9-play, 65-yard TD drive to close within 14-7 at 7:02. Brosmer connected with Heron Maurisseau (Bellport, N.Y.) on a 49-yard pass play for the score.

The Eagles reestablished a 14-point advantage 79 seconds later, however, on a 34-yard pass from Richard to Joaquin Davis.

New Hampshire outscored the guests 14-7 in the second quarter to close within 28-21 heading into halftime.

UNH answered the Eagles’ third TD with an 11-play, 82-yard touchdown drive that culminated in Brosmer’s 15-yard strike to Linkin and lifted the ‘Cats within 21-14.

NCCU replied with an 18-play, 86-yard drive that took 9:58 off the clock and pushed the margin to 28-14 on Taylor’s 1-yard run.

The Wildcats’ offense marched 96 yards in 11 plays as Linkins hauled in a 3-yard pass from Brosmer for his second touchdown of the game to trim the deficit to 28-21 with 38 seconds on the clock.

NC Central scored all 10 points of the third quarter to build a 17-point lead. Smith scored on a 10-yard pass from Richard at 7:40 to end a 14-play, 73-yard drive that consumed 7:16 off the clock and advanced the score to 35-21. CCU’s defense recorded its second takeaway of the game on a fumble recovery at the 50, and Adrian Olivo’s 30-yard field goal gave the Eagles a 38-21 lead at 1:48.

Both teams scored a touchdown in the final 15 minutes. NCCU had a 205-65 edge in rushing yards and led 399-361 in total yards.

The Eagles, who entered the game with nary a sack, sacked Brosmer four times.

New Hampshire returns to action Sept. 24 (4 p.m.) at Towson University.

The Wildcats’ next home game is Homecoming on Oct. 8 (3:30 p.m.) against Stony Brook University.