In what some may call one of the greatest Maine football wins ever or definitely of most recent history, the FCS and #22 ranked Black Bears went in an early 21-0 hole at FBS Western Kentucky Saturday night, only to rally from behind for a stunning 31-28 victory before 15,718 fans in the WKU home opener at Houchens-Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
On the first play from scrimmage, Hilltoppers quarterback Drew Eckels hit Lucky Jackson for a 66 yard touchdown to make it 7-0. On the ensuing possession, Maine quarterback Chris Ferguson threw an interception that was returned 45 yards for another WKU touchdown. The hosts continued their hot start when Eckels found a wide open Jackson again, the 32 yard score and second of the night had WKU roaring to a 21-0 advantage before six minutes rolled off the first quarter clock. But unfortunately for the Hilltoppers that would be their last score for a while.
Maine (2-0) would slowly start getting into an offensive and defensive flow. Ferguson hit freshman running back Ramon Jefferson out of the backfield early in the second quarter for a 51 yard TD to get Maine on the board. With the defense slowing down the hosts, Ferguson was at it again late in the first half connecting with Micah Wright for a 32 yard touchdown to cut the lead to 21-14. Very late in the half, Maine had what they thought was the tying score when Eckels had apparently fumbled and the Bears had scooped it up and took it to the endzone but the call on the field was overturned after a review, and Maine went to the locker room down seven.
Two minutes into the third quarter after Maine had failed on a fourth and one from their own 30 yard line, Eckles was strip sacked by Maines Sterling Sheffield and Deshawn Stevens picked up the loose ball and took it to the house for a 50 yard touchdown with no review this time to tie the game 21-21. 7:25 later, after a puzzling play call by WKU who went for a fourth and one at their own 15 and didn’t make it, Ferguson took advantage on the first play hitting Wright again for a 15 yard score for Maines first lead of the night 28-21. Maine held that same lead heading to the fourth quarter. Kenny Doak added to the advantage by booting maybe his biggest collegiate kick to date, a 37 yard field goal made it 31-21. WKU was far from done though, as Eckels hit Garland Lafrance in the flat on the first play after the kickoff for a 75 yard TD to make it 31-28 with seven minutes to play.
WKU (0-2) had their last chance after a Black Bear punt backed them up to their own three yard line with 3:18 to play. After several first downs and driving to the Maine 31 yard line and facing a fourth and six, the Hilltoppers would need to try a 48 yard field goal to try to tie the game with 1:05 left on the clock. The snap was high on the attempted kick, and Maines Jordan Swann blocked it and sent the Bears to their third ever win over an FBS opponent and first since 2013.
Ferguson finished the night 11-28 passing, 185 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Joe Fitzpatrick carried 21 times for 82 yards, while Jefferson added 60 yards on 12 carries. Jefferson also had one catch for the big 51 yard touchdown on Maines first score, while both of Wrights catches were for touchdowns (2 rec, 47 yards), and Jordan Dunn also had a pair of catches for 46 yards. The Black Hole defense was huge again, with six more sacks and holding WKU to 42 yards rushing on 31 carries. Sheffield had 12 total tackles, while Stevens had nine. Both players each also had 1.5 sacks.
Eckels was 23-31 passing, 347 yards, and three touchdowns for WKU. Lafrance led the rushing game with 33 yards on seven carries and also had four catches for 90 yards. Jackson led the receiving core with four catches for 115 yards, and two of the four catches going for touchdowns.
Maine now has a bye week before returning to action against another FBS opponent when they travel to Central Michigan on September 22 with a time to be announced. The Bears, who jumped from unranked to #22 in FCS with their win last week over UNH, is expected now to make another jump in the FCS national rankings.
UME 0 14 14 3- 31
WKU 21 0 0 7- 28
Total yards- Maine 324 WKU 389
First downs- Maine 14 WKU 17
Time of possession- Maine 33:09 WKU 26:51
Turnovers- Maine 1 WKU 1
