Maine quarterback Dan Collins hands the ball off to running back Josh Mack during an earlier game this season at Alfond Stadium. Photo by Chris Lessner.
The University of Maine football team built a 27-0 third quarter lead and then held on for a 27-21 CAA win over Stony Brook at Lavalle Stadium in Stony Brook, New York Saturday afternoon.
With the win Maine keeps their postseason hopes alive. Maine (6-4, 5-2 CAA) will need a home win over rival New Hampshire next Saturday at Alfond Stadium to qualify for the FCS playoffs.
Josh Mack had the first Maine score on a 12 yard run to make it 7-0 in the first quarter. Mack also scored on a 21 yard screenpass from quarterback Dan Collins in the third quarter that made it 27-0. A 23 yard fumble return for a score by Mozai Nelson, and a two yard catch by Jared Osumah were the other Maine touchdowns.
Stony Brook (5-5, 4-3) got a one yard run by Donald Liotine to cut it to 27-7 in the third. On Maines next offensive play, Collins threw an interception that was returned 12 yards for a score by Stony Brooks Travon Reid-Segure to make it 27-14. Liotine scored his second touchdown of the day on a run of 50 yards early in the fourth quarter to reduce the Maine lead to six at 27-21. Maine was able to pick up some big first downs in the final quarter, and Najee Goode picked off a Pat Erwin pass on the Seawolves final possession to secure the Black Bear victory.
Collins finished 16-24 passing, 156 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Mack set a school record for carries with 39 for 147 yards and a touchdown. Micah Wright had four catches for 47 yards and Earnest Edwards had a pair of catches for 36 yards to lead the receiving corps. DeAndre Scott had eight total tackles and Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga had six total tackles to lead the defense. Sterling Sheffield had a pair of sacks to go along with four total tackles.
Erwin went 5-13 passing for the Seawolves, for 67 yards and an interception. Liotine had eight carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Wideout Ray Bolden had four receptions for 50 yards. Tyris Beverette had 15 total tackles, while Shayne Lawless and Noah McGinty had 11 total tackles each to lead the Stony Brook defense.
Maine will battle for a playoff spot and the annual Brice Cowell musket when UNH invades Alfond Stadium next Saturday. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Stony Brook hits the road to finish their season next Saturday when they face Albany.
UME 7 13 7 0- 27
SBK 0 0 14 7- 21
Total yards- Maine 315 Stony 222
Turnovers- Maine 1 Stony 1
Time of Possession- Maine 34:47 Stony 25:13
