The University of Maine and Husson University football teams both saw their seasons come to an end Saturday.
The Maine Black Bears needed a win at home Saturday in their season finale to make the FCS playoffs, but instead it was the New Hampshire Wildcats that kicked a last second field goal to win their seventh straight game in the rivalry series against Maine 24-21 in front of 6,401 fans at Alfond Stadium.
Maine, who finishes 6-5 overall and 5-3 in the CAA, held a 7-0 first quarter lead and a 14-7 halftime lead, before UNH came storming back to take a 21-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Dan Collins connected with Micah Wright on a 29 yard touchdown on a 4th and 10 play with 5:02 left to tie the game 21-21.
UNH (7-4, 6-2) methodically moved down the field in the last five minutes of regulation and would hit a 21 yard field goal by Morgan Ellman with seven seconds remaining to claim the win.
Collins finished 11-28 passing, 202 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Josh Mack rushed 21 times for 77 yards to lead the Bears backfield, while Wright had five receptions or 121 yards and a pair of scores. Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga led the defense with 11 total tackles.
UNH, who has made 12 straight appearances in the FCS playoffs, will await their fate on a 2016 trip to the playoffs later on Sunday. Dalton Crossman was the big offensive performer for the ‘Cats Saturday, rushing 25 times for 163 yards and a touchdown.
The Husson University football team made their third straight trip to the Division III playoffs on Saturday when they visited #23 Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts.
A back and forth tight game through three quarters was broken open in the final period by WNEU, who ended the Eagles season and broke their nine game winning streak 44-27.
In a 24-21 game, the Golden Bears would scoop up a fumble by Husson quarterback Cory Brandon and score an eight yard touchdown to extend the lead to 10 early in the fourth at 31-21.
WNEU (11-0) added two more touchdowns in the final 15 minutes of action, on runs of six and 17 yards by Dante Aiken.
Husson (9-2) was led by Brandon who went 17-33 passing, 308 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. John Smith rushed 31 times for 107 yards. Deon Wiggins had five receptions for 113 yards and a score, while Kadeem Edge caught four passes for 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Alonzo Cooper had 13 total tackles to lead the defense, while Tarik Smith had 10.
Western New England will now face Alfred (NY) in the next round. Alfred defeated Bridgewater State Saturday 33-27 in overtime.
