On Saturday, Sept. 27, the University of Maine football team welcomed the North Carolina A&T Aggies to Alfond Stadium, looking for its first win of the 2025 season. The Black Bears dominated all four quarters, securing their first win 37-30 and officially ending the four-game losing streak.
North Carolina won the coin toss and chose to kick. The Black Bears were strong on the opening drive, and fifth-year quarterback Carter Peevy and the offense took the field. With two rushes, third-year running back Sincere Baines got the Black Bears to score the game’s first touchdown. Redshirt first-year kicker Samuel Tremblay secured the 7-0 lead with a good field goal attempt.
On their first drive, the Aggies gained 31 yards and 11 plays but could not get past the Black Bear defense. The Black Bears had one more drive in the first quarter but could not get past the Aggie defense.
The second quarter started like the first: the Black Bears began with the ball. Peevy rushed the ball into the end zone for another Black Bear touchdown. Tremblay completed the drive with a good field goal. Maine led 14-0.
Redshirt second-year quarterback second-year Kevin White and the Aggies’ offense were productive in this drive; a touchdown pass caught by redshirt fourth-year running back Wesley Graves and an extra point by redshirt fourth-year kicker Andrew Brown made it a one-score game.
The Black Bear offense was not as productive on this drive, however, Tremblay completed a field goal on fourth down and the Black Bears still held onto the lead 17-7. The Aggies did not score on their next drive, not getting past the Black Bear defense.
The Black Bear offense came back onto the field. Peevy, on the second play of the drive, threw a touchdown pass to second-year running back Rashawn Marshall. The Black Bears are adding to the lead, 23-7. The Black Bear defense kept the Aggies off for another drive.
Peevy and the Black Bear offense returned onto the field ready for more action. Peevy threw an 81-yard pass to redshirt second-year wide receiver Nick Laughlin for a touchdown, and once again, Tremblay capped off the drive with the Black Bears leading 30 to 9.
The Aggies’ offense came back onto the field motivated. White completed a 34-yard pass to wide receiver redshirt second-year Jayvonne Dillard for a touchdown. Brown finished the drive with a field goal, and the Black Bears still led 30 to 15.
The third quarter started with the Aggies having the ball, but the drive was short-lived with no touchdowns scored. The Black Bears came back onto the field ready to roll. Peevy had many passes to get down the field and the final pass was a complete pass to redshirt second-year tight end Elijah Smalls, scoring the final Black Bear touchdown of the game. Tremblay completed the drive with a field goal once again. Black Bears led 37-15 and were the only scorers of the quarter.
The fourth quarter began with North Carolina having the ball. The quarter’s first drive was short with White throwing a touchdown pass to redshirt second-year tight end Antoine Bell.
The Black Bears had a few drives, but no touchdowns or scores. Redshirt third-year wide receiver Elijiah Kennedy returned 85 yards for an Aggies touchdown.
Each team had two more drives and both defenses were tough to get past. The game ended with the Black Bears getting their first win of the season with a score of 37-30.
The Black Bears will look to continue the win streak as they head to Rhode Island to take on Bryant University next Saturday, Oct. 4.
