On Sept. 28, the University of Maine Black Bears football team defeated the Albany Great Danes 34-20 in big Coastal Athletic Association conference play. As a result, UMaine grows to a 3-2 record, officially starting a mini two-game winning streak, while UAlbany falls to 1-3 on the year.
Maine got the football to open the game, and their first drive was a successful one. After a grueling 11-play drive, second-year kicker Joey Bryson nailed a 40-yard field goal, marking his longest kick of the season and scoring the first points of the game to put Maine up 3-0.
The Black Bear defense forced a three-and-out on Albany’s first drive thanks to fourth-year defensive lineman John Costanza, who found his way to the backfield for a massive tackle-for-loss. Two quick incompletions by second-year quarterback Myles Burkett forced a Great Dane punt.
The offensive continued to look strong for Maine, as fourth-year quarterback Carter Peevy connected with three players while storming down the field. Unfortunately, two costly penalties forced another field goal attempt, this one of 43 yards out, which Bryson was unable to connect on.
Albany was able to capitalize on the field goal miss, as first-year halfback Jojo Uga punched in the first touchdown of the game with a 2-yard run up the middle, capping off an 8-play drive. The Great Danes got a stop and had a chance to make it a two-score game, but there is a reason the UMaine defense has the “Black Hole” nickname.
On 4th & 4 at the Maine 26-yard line, the Black Bear defense got the much needed stop and forced the turnover on downs. UMaine found success on the ground during the next drive, but on an important 3rd & 8, Peevy found fifth-year wide receiver Molayo Irefin on a perfect over-the-shoulder throw down on the sideline for the first down. Fifth-year halfback Jaharie Martin wrapped up the drive with a rushing touchdown to put the Black Bears up 10-7.
Albany quickly drove down the length of the field and scored again, this time Burkett finding fourth-year wide receiver Seven McGee for the touchdown. Entering halftime, UMaine trailed 14-10.
The Great Danes got the ball to kick off the third quarter, but their drive did not last long. Third-year defensive back Alhaji Kamara picked off Burkett over the middle, his second consecutive game with a pick and third of the season. Maine narrowed the lead with another 40-yard field goal.
The stifling Black Bear defense got another stop, leading to another chance to take the lead. Maine found themself in a pretty deep hole, but Peevy made an incredible play on what looked like an impossible play to convert 3rd and 21. The Mercer transfer escaped pressure in the pocket and found third-year wide receiver Trevin Ewing for the massive pick-up. Peevy followed that up by throwing his first touchdown pass of the game to fifth-year tight end Cooper Heisey. The quarterback-tight end duo connected for a second TD on the next Maine drive. After a successful two-point conversion, the Black Bears led 27-14.
Albany found life when Burkett once again found McGee, this time on a deep pass on the left sideline for a 32-yard touchdown. The Great Dane defense finally were able to stop the white hot Maine offense and with just under three minutes left in the game had a chance to tie it all up.
Burkett loaded up a deep shot, but second-year defensive back Jamaree Gibson jumped the route and returned an interception for a TD, an incredible pick-six to seal the game for the Black Bears 34-20.
UMaine will look to continue their winning streak on Saturday, Oct. 12 as they travel to face the 4-0 Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens.
