On Saturday, Sept. 13, the University of Maine football team welcomed the Stonehill Skyhawks to Alfond Stadium, looking for its first win of the 2025 season. For nearly four quarters, it appeared that the Black Bears would finally end their early-season struggles, but a last-minute touchdown lifted Stonehill to a 13–10 victory, extending Maine’s losing streak to three games.
Stonehill won the coin toss and deferred, giving Maine’s offense the first chance to establish momentum. The Black Bears’ first series showed flashes of promise but stalled before they could reach scoring range. Both defenses set the tone early, forcing punts and leaving little room for either offense to move the ball.
Stonehill broke the scoreless tie with just over three minutes left in the opening quarter. Second-year kicker Domenic Scalese drilled a field goal, giving the Skyhawks a 3–0 lead. Maine’s defense limited the damage, tightening up in the red zone to prevent a touchdown, but the Black Bears entered the second quarter trailing.
Maine responded midway through the second quarter, piecing together one of their most efficient drives of the night. The offense leaned on its ground game and with two minutes left before halftime, graduate quarterback Carter Peevy handed the ball off to graduate wide receiver Molayo Irefin, who punched in a short rushing touchdown. First-year kicker Samuel Tremblay added the extra point to put the Black Bears ahead 7–3.
The lead did not last long. Stonehill’s offense moved the ball quickly on its next possession, setting up another attempt for Scalese. He delivered his second field goal of the day, pulling the Skyhawks within one, 7–6, just before halftime.
The third quarter mirrored the grind of the first half, with both defenses refusing to give up big plays. Maine’s special teams created breathing room late in the quarter when Tremblay converted a field goal, extending the lead to 10–6. That advantage carried into the final quarter and the Black Bears seemed in control as the defense continued to hold quarterback Jack O’Connell and the Skyhawks in check.
As the fourth quarter wound down, momentum shifted. Stonehill capitalized on its final possession, starting deep in its own territory and driving steadily down the field. With just 1:40 remaining, O’Connell connected with fourth-year wide receiver Brigham Dunphy for a clutch touchdown strike.
Scalese’s extra point pushed the Skyhawks ahead 13–10, stunning the Alfond crowd. Maine had one last opportunity with the ball, but the offense could not find the rhythm needed to answer back. A series of incomplete passes and a strong Stonehill defensive stand sealed the outcome, handing the Black Bears another frustrating defeat.
The loss drops Maine to 0–3 on the season, a start the program had hoped to avoid. The offense found flashes of success on the ground and with special teams, but turnovers and missed chances left the door open for the Skyhawks’ late comeback.
The Black Bears will now look to regroup as they prepare for a road matchup against Georgia Southern University next weekend.
