On Saturday, Oct. 25, the University of Maine football team came back from an early deficit to defeat Elon University 35-14 extending their winning streak to four games straight. With it being Homecoming weekend, Alfond Sports Stadium was packed with current students and alumni to watch the Black Bears play one of their last home games of the season.
Elon got the football to open the game and were unable to put points on the board, thanks to the UMaine defense. After stringing together a good early drive, first-year quarterback Landen Clark took a long shot to the endzone and was picked off by second-year defensive back Devin Vaught, his third interception of the year.
Maine’s first possession stalled out after five plays, giving Elon’s offense the ball back. Third-year running back Jimmyll Williams broke multiple tackles on the way to the endzone, scoring the first touchdown of the game and giving Elon the lead. Both teams were held out of the endzone for the remainder of the first quarter.
After a slow start, the Black Bears bounced back with a long and gruelling drive that led to points to open the second quarter. Grad quarterback Carter Peevy connected with five different receivers on the nearly nine minute drive. Peevy capped it off by finding second-year tight end Jake Kucera wide open in the flat for his touchdown of the season to tie the game.
The UMaine defense continued their strong showing and forced another Elon punt. Peevy found fourth-year wide receiver Gianni Rossitto on a beautiful long touchdown right over the outstretched arms of two defenders to give Maine their first lead of the game. Elon had an opportunity to get points before halftime, which was quickly ended with a third-down sack by third-year defensive lineman Chris Bacon. UMaine entered halftime up 14-7.
The third quarter was more domination from UMaine’s defense, showing why they have the moniker of ‘Black Hole.’ On the first play of Elon’s drive, first-year defensive back Jake Kucera delivered a hit that jarred the ball out of the Elon running back’s hands. Grad linebacker Christian Thomas was the first on the ground, securing the turnover. Peevy scored later in the quarter with a rush up the middle, while Elon was shut out all 15 minutes of play.
Early in the final period, fifth-year wide receiver Scott Woods had the most electric play of the game that had the fans in Alfond buzzing. Woods was set to return a punt to secure good field position for Maine’s next drive, but instead he found an open lane and took off. He outran multiple defenders and broke tackles on the way to an incredible 85-yard punt return touchdown to give the Black Bears a 28-7 lead.
Elon finally reached the endzone after being held scoreless for two straight quarters. Clark found second-year wide receiver Isaiah Fuhrmann in the corner of the endzone for the score. First-year running back Rashawn Marshall put the finishing touches on the day with his second rushing touchdown of the season, slicing through Elon’s defense right up the gut for 61-yards.
Peevy finished the game with 260 passing yards, his third highest mark of the season. Marshall had 141 rushing yards on just 15 carries, now the second game in a row that he has eclipsed 140 on the ground. The Black Bear defence generated five sacks: a season high.
UMaine will look to continue their winning streak as they welcome the visiting Stony Brook Seawolves on Nov. 1.
