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Turnovers were the name of the game in the University of Maine football team’s 30-27 loss to the University of New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon, as both teams threw for three interceptions and lost one fumble in the game.
The third quarter featured back-to-back-to-back plays with turnovers, and UMaine senior quarterback Warren Smith’s final pass attempt of the regular season was picked off with just over a minute remaining on the game’s final drive.
The day started with UMaine punting and pinning UNH on their own 7-yard line. UNH senior quarterback Kevin Decker had a pass intercepted on the Wildcats first drive, as the ball was tipped and fumbled in the receiver’s body, laying to rest on his shoulder pad where junior linebacker Troy Russell would scoop it up.
Two plays later, UMaine senior running back Pushaun Brown ran 33 yards for the game’s first score, putting UMaine up 7-0.
But Brown was slowed thereafter: He had 77 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown on the day.
UNH answered back on the next drive, with freshman running back Nico Steriti seeing his first action of his 21-carry 150-yard and one touchdown day, as Decker threw to him and freshman receiver R.J. Harris on the scoring drive.
Harris would be the leading Wildcat receiver, with six receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns on the day.
Decker completed a 34-yard pass to Harris for the first UNH touchdown, tying the game up at seven.
After a kickoff out of bounds, UMaine freshman running back David Hood would do most of the work for the Black Bears on the next drive, rushing for 21 yards on eight carries on the drive.
Two third-down completions to sophomore tight end Justin Perillo and freshman receiver DaMarr Aultman kept the drive alive, and Smith was able to cap off another scoring drive to put UMaine up 14-7.
After the Black Bear defense, led by sophomore defensive lineman Michael Cole — who had three sacks and six tackles on the day — forced a UNH punt, Smith, Perillo, Aultman, and Brown went back to work for UMaine.
Passes of eight yards to Aultman and 16 yards to Perillo as well as a rushing attack by Brown and Smith helped lead UMaine on a 54-yard scoring drive that put them up 17-7 after a field goal by senior kicker Brian Harvey.
Aultman would finish as UMaine’s leading receiver with 12 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
After little action on the next two drives, UNH would get the ball back before the end of the half as Decker and sophomore running back Chris Setian led the Wildcats on a drive to try and score before the half ended.
Aided by UMaine holding and personal foul penalties, UNH was able to get a field goal in before halftime, going into the locker room down 17-10.
Coming out of the half, UNH received the ball, but senior defensive back Trevor Coston intercepted a Decker pass. UMaine couldn’t capitalize and would punt after a three-and-out.
On the first play after the punt, Steriti rushed for his longest play of the day going 56 yards to the UMaine 21-yard line, which set up a 10-yard touchdown pass from Decker to freshman receiver Jimmy Giansante. After a missed extra point attempt, UMaine held a 17-16 lead.
The last 2 minutes of the third quarter would be best described as a head coach’s nightmare.
After a UMaine field goal, the next four drives resulted in turnovers. Three came on consecutive plays.
When all was said and done, UNH ended up with the ball on the UMaine 18-yard line and Decker threw a touchdown pass to Harris to put UNH up 23-20.
The Black Bears fumbled the ball on the kickoff, giving UNH another chance to score.
They only needed one play, as Steriti ran 18 yards to put the Wildcats up 30-20. In just 15 seconds of play, UNH went from being down four to up 10.
UMaine answered on the ensuing drive, with Smith hitting Aultman and Brown picking up short plays to pick up first downs. On third-and-9 from the UNH 10-yard line, Smith scrambled around in the pocket before hitting Aultman to put UMaine to within three.
The defense was able to hold UNH from scoring, but on UMaine’s last gasp, a fumbled snap out of the shotgun crushed any hope for a comeback, and Smith was picked off by freshman cornerback Chad Wilkes on fourth-and-long. UNH was able to take a knee and end the game.
UMaine has not won in Durham since 2001, and will finish the year 8-3 (6-2 CAA), giving the Musket back to the Wildcats.
The Black Bears will learn their NCAA Playoffs fate Sunday, in a 10 a.m. selection show to be aired on ESPNU.
The university and team are hosting a reception in the Memorial Union starting at 9:30 a.m. to watch the show. Students are encouraged to attend.
