Despite a valiant effort, the University of Maine football team dropped a tight contest in Kingston on Oct. 26, as they fell to the Rhode Island Rams 24-14. With this loss, Maine’s record falls to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play, while Rhode Island improves to 7-1 and remains undefeated at 4-0 in the league.
Quarterback Carter Peevy gave a strong performance, completing 29 of 39 passes for 279 yards and one touchdown. This game marked a career high for Peevy, both in completions and attempts. He hit 11 different targets. Leading the receiving corps was wide receiver Montigo Moss, who recorded a career-best nine catches for 80 yards, while tight end Cooper Heisey contributed a team-high fourth touchdown reception for the season.
Running back Brian Santana-Fis also had a standout game, achieving personal bests with 15 carries for 89 yards, five receptions for 51 yards and scoring his second rushing touchdown in as many weeks.
The Black Bears had a slight edge in total yards, outgaining the Rams 336 to 321, and converted eight of 17 third-down opportunities.
On the defensive side, the linebackers stood out during this game. Linebacker Christian Thomas led Maine with six tackles, while his teammates Jamaree Gibson and Kesean Dyson each added five tackles to the effort.
Maine dominated the first quarter, out-gaining the Rams 127 to 40, and took a 7-0 lead. Following a three-and-out by Rhode Island, the Black Bears started a drive from their own 10-yard line. They converted three crucial third downs, culminating in a massive 44-yard pass from Peevy to wide receiver Molayo Irefin that set up a touchdown. Peevy then found Heisey in the end zone after an 11-yard scramble, putting Maine on the board first. This was perhaps their most complete offensive drive of the contest.
Rhode Island responded midway through the second quarter when quarterback Devin Farrell scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown, tying the game at 7-7. The Rams defense then forced Maine into another three-and-out, allowing them to take their first lead with a six-yard rushing touchdown from Farrell, with just over a minute left in the first half. The score at halftime was 14-7 in favor of Rhode Island.
The second half remained scoreless until early in the fourth quarter when Maine tied the game again. Starting at the Rhode Island 46-yard line following a poor punt, Peevy found Moss for a critical 12-yard gain on third-and-10. Santana-Fis then took a handoff and dashed into the end zone, leveling the score at 14-14.
Rhode Island quickly regained the lead, with Farrell connecting on a 46-yard pass to Tommy Smith, setting up a touchdown by running back Malik Grant just minutes later. The Rams extended their lead to 10 points with a 36-yard field goal from Ty Groff with just over six minutes remaining.
Maine had two more possessions to narrow the gap, however they were unable to score against a hard-nosed Rams defense, concluding the game with a 24-14 loss.
Despite all of the individual personal bests on the offensive side, the team fell short as a whole. Multiple turnovers on downs doomed the Black Bears to defeat against one of the nation’s top teams.
Maine will look to bounce back on Saturday, Nov. 2, when they play at Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. EDT.