ORONO, Maine- The University of Maine football team got 255 yards rushing and three touchdowns from Josh Mack, and forced eight turnovers from visiting Bryant Saturday afternoon to cruise to a convincing 60-12 non-conference win in the home opener at a sunsplashed Alfond Stadium before 6,313 fans.
Maine (1-1), started quickly as freshman quarterback Chris Ferguson hit Earnest Edwards for an 11 yard touchdown just over 2:30 in to make it 7-0.
Bryant (1-1), drove into Maine territory but a fumble on a reverse play was recovered by Black Bear defensive lineman Charles Mitchell. Ferguson then hit Julian Dunn for a 31 yard pass and catch, that set up the second Ferguson-Edwards connection on a 31 yard touchdown that made it 14-0 just over six minutes in.
After a Bryant field goal made it 14-3 late in the first, Mack ran 66 yards early in the second quarter for the first of his three scores. “I just saw green grass. I trusted my O-line in front of me, Jamil (Demby) and the rest of them. I was patient, let my blocks develop, then just hit the hole that opened up”, said Mack. The extra point was blocked and Bryant senior defensive back Torrey Dixon went the other way for a safety to make it 20-5. Just 21 seconds later after the free kick by Maine, Black Bear defensive back Darrius Hart picked off a pass by Bryant quarterback Price Wilson and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to make it 27-5. The ball was tipped by defensive end Dakota Tarbox. “I got to the post, because last week the D-coordinator was big on getting to the post because of trick plays and stuff, just doing your job being back there and not trying to make the extra play. Soon as i got there i saw the ball in the air and just grabbed it and saw the green grass”, said Hart.
Maine forced yet another turnover when defensive back Jason Matovu hit Wilson forcing a fumble, which was also recovered by Matovu. The first play after the Bulldogs turnover, Mack scampered 13 yards for another score to make it 34-5. Kenny Doak added a 33 yard field goal, before Mack went another 60 yards for a score with just under four minutes left in the half to make it 43-5. The 43 points was the most in a half by any Maine team since they put up 38 in a game against Shaw in 2003.
Maine would tack on a Drew Belcher nine yard touchdown reception, a Doak field goal, and a 20 yard interception return by junior defensive back Sinmisola Demuren in the second half. Wilson hit wideout Jean Constant for a 59 yard third quarter touchdown for Bryants only touchdown of the day. Maine amassed 536 yards of total offense.
Mack finished with 255 yards rushing on 13 carries and three touchdowns. Ferguson was 8-17 passing, 150 yards, and three touchdowns. Earnest Edwards had a pair of catches for 42 yards and a pair of scores as well. Sterling Sheffield had nine tackles and a sack to lead the defense. Coach Joe Harasymiak said, “Very excited to get our first win as a team, in this 2017, get the first one under our belts. I was pleased with the way the guys executed. We spent all week talking about us, worrying about us, I told them before the game don’t worry about anything else but yourselves, improving ourselves, discipline, playing fast, violent football. We came out today and did that, got off a hot start. I am just glad these guys listened to the message and executed”.
Wilson threw five interceptions in the loss. He finished 17-38, 261 yards, and a touchdown. Issac McCray had 55 yards rushing on eight carries. Vincent Nisivoccia had four receptions for 79 yards. Robert Brown had seven tackles to the lead the Bryant defense. Bryant first year head coach James Perry said, “It was a disappointing game for us. We knew Maine was an excellent team, they showed that today. They played very very hard, they are extremely well coached. We played poorly, which compounded a situation where we knew we were going to have to play very well”.
Maine now has a bye week before traveling to face the #1 team in the FCS and defending national champion, the James Madison Dukes, on September 23rd at 1:30 p.m.
BRY 3 2 7 0- 12
UME 14 29 7 10- 60
Total yards- Maine 536 Bryant 347
Turnovers- Bryant 8 Maine 0
Time of game- 3 hours
