PORTLAND, Maine- The Delaware Blue Hens rallied from a 10 point first quarter deficit, and got a huge game winning special teams touchdown early in the fourth quarter Saturday en route to a 31-17 Colonial Athletic Association football win over Maine at Fitzpatrick Stadium before 7,212 fans.
Maine (4-4, 3-4 CAA), returned to Portland for first time since 2005. The Bears got the crowd at Fitpatrick energized early. Maine struck first on a 29 yard field goal from Brandon Briggs midway through the opening quarter to make it 3-0. The score was setup by a 27 yard reception from Earnest Edwards from quarterback Chris Ferguson. Delaware gave Maine a golden opportunity when Kareem Williams fumbled, and Charles Mitchell recovered at the Blue Hens 30 yard line. Delaware however would block a 40 yard field goal attempt by Briggs to keep it 3-0. After a 42 yard pass completion by the Blue Hens to the Maine 31 on the next drive, Delaware would cough up the ball for the second time in the quarter. That turnover would lead to a 12 yard touchdown reception by Micah Wright from Ferguson, and Maine had a 10-0 lead after one quarter.
Maine nearly made it 17-0 early in the second, but Black Bear defensive back Darrius Hart dropped an interception that would have gone for a pick six. Later in the quarter, after a huge 56 yard pass to the Maine 14, Delaware quarterback J.P. Caruso found tightend Brandon Whaley on a 10 yard pitch and catch to cut the deficit to 10-7. A 36 yard pass deep into Maine territory late in the second, led to a one yard touchdown run by Kani Kane to give the Blue Hens a 14-10 halftime lead. Delaware dominated the total yardage in the second quarter 175-14. Maine head coach Joe Harasymiak said, “Ya I thought we had some opportunities to make plays. We hit a lull there in the second quarter, and then their offense the way they do things, they are gonna take time off the clock and grind things out”.
After the break, Ferguson was intercepted on a third and long play in his own territory by freshman Tim Poindexter (first career INT). It was the first interception thrown by Ferguson since an October 7 loss at Villanova. The turnover led to a Frank Raggo 48 yard field goal that barely snuck over the crossbar to extend the Hens lead to 17-10. Maine immediately responded as their biggest offensive threat, running back Josh Mack, got going after a slow 48 yard first half. Mack ran for 65 yards on the ensuing drive, including one for 39 yards, and former Deering High running back Joe Fitzpatrick ran in from eight yards out to tie the game at 17-17. The game remained tied after three quarters, despite a Delaware blocked punt by Troy Reeder inside the Maine 40. The drive was stopped by a key 10 yard sack by Black Bear defensive end Kayon Whitaker.
Early in the fourth quarter, Nasir Adderley would force a Wright fumble on a Delaware punt inside the Maine 10, and Blue Hens linebacker Colby Reeder scooped it up and ran in from five yards out to make it 24-17. Wright injured his knee on the play and didn’t return, and is likely out for the rest of the season. Maine would have some chances to make some plays in the final quarter, but was unable to do so. Caruso scored on a third and goal quarterback sneak from the one yard line with just over four minutes left to finish off the Black Bears. Delaware improves to 6-3, 4-2 CAA. Delaware head coach Danny Rocco said, “I am really excited to get out of here with a win. It’s always a challenge to come up into the Northeast, up to Maine, and play. Maine has a really good football team, well coached. Both teams played hard. I thought we were at our best towards the end of the game, where it really mattered most. Made some big plays in the kicking game that I thought were a real big factor in the game”.
Ferguson finished 20-37 passing, 218 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Mack had 173 yards on 23 carries, while Fitzpatrick had 50 yards on eight touches and a score. Earnest Edwards had 80 yards on four catches. Defensively, Deshaw Stevens had 14 tackles, and Jaron Grayer had 11. “Can’t overcome that many big plays in a game. Too much to overcome. Bottom line is we didn’t play well enough to win, didn’t deserve to win. We gotta keep plugging away and get back to winning. Give them credit, good team, made more plays than us. But we can’t overcome all those big plays, just didn’t play well enough- offense, defense, special teams”, added Harasymiak.
Delaware got 165 all purpose yards from Joe Walker. Walker passed for 42 yards, ran for 55, and had 68 yards receiving. Kane had 99 yards rushing on 26 carries and a score. T. Reeder led the defense with 17 tackles, while Adderley had 14.
The loss Saturday likely eliminates the Black Bears from any chance at a spot in the FCS playoffs. Maine faces FBS opponent Massachusetts in their final non-conference game and final road game of the season next Saturday at Fenway Park. Kickoff is slated for 4:05 p.m.
DEL (6-3, 4-2) 0 14 3 14- 31
UME (4-4, 3-4) 10 0 7 0- 17
Total yards- Delaware 346 Maine 451
First downs- Delaware 14 Maine 21
Turnovers- Delaware 2 Maine 3
Time of game- 2 hours, 51 minutes
