On Saturday, Nov. 15, the University of Maine football team fell to Rhode Island 45-13 in their final home game of the season, snapping their six-game winning streak.
The Black Bears opened the game with the football, but their first offensive possession did not end with points, despite a good-looking drive. Despite driving into Rhode Island’s side of the field, two straight incompletions forced a lengthy field goal attempt, which first-year kicker Samuel Tremblay was unable to drill from 43-yards out.
With the positive starting field position due to the missed kick, Rhode Island was able to take advantage and put the first points on the board. Fourth-year running back Antwain Littleton Jr. capped off a grueling 13 play drive with a two-yard touchdown up the gut of the Black Bear defense. After a Maine three-and-out, URI scored again, this time off a trick play where third-year quarterback Devin Farrell found second-year offensive lineman Dontay Bishop for the score.
At the start of the second quarter, the Black Bear offense was finally able to get things rolling. The story of the drive was the connection between grad quarterback Carter Peevy and fifth-year wide receiver Scott Woods. On second and long, Peevy found Woods for 34 yards. The very next play, Peevy once again threw to Woods, this pass for 40 yards and a touchdown, Woods’ 6th of the season.
Rhode Island continued to drive down the field with ease. It only took two plays for the Rams to reach the endzone. Littleton Jr. broke off a 65-yard run, the longest by any team of the game. Grad running back Brendon Barrow finished the drive with a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Maine was not able to keep the momentum of their last offensive drive, quickly giving Rhode Island back the ball. This time, URI gashed Maine through the air. Farrell found third-year wide receiver Marquis Buchanan on a 63-yard deep ball for the touchdown, Rhode Island’s fourth straight possession scoring a touchdown, giving them a 28-7 lead. Neither team scored in the rest of the half.
Both teams traded punts to open the third quarter. Barrow extended Rhode Island’s lead with his second touchdown of the game. The Black Bears were finally able to answer a few drives later. Peevy found the endzone on a designed quarterback run, but was unable to complete his pass seconds later for the two-point conversion. Maine was unable to build on their score, as Littleton Jr. and Rhode answered in one play with a 52-yard score on the ground.
Despite an URI field goal, both teams were shut out in the fourth quarter. Peevy finished with 278 passing yards, his third highest this season. Woods’s 114 receiving yards is the highest of his career. Maine will look to get back towards their winning ways when they travel to face New Hampshire in their final game of the regular season.
