The Black Hole defense of the University of Maine football team kept them in the game Saturday afternoon, but the offense struggled and couldn’t come up with enough plays in the end resulting in a 17-5 loss to FBS Central Michigan at Kelly Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan before 16,474 fans.
#13 Maine (2-1) suffered their first loss of the season, as it was looking to become the first FCS team to beat an FBS opponent twice in same season since Portland State did so in 2013.
Maine lost starting sophomore quarterback Chris Ferguson to a seperated shoulder in the first quarter. True freshman Isaiah Robinson took over. The two teams remained scoreless until CMU (1-3) quarterback Tommy Lazzaro scored on a five yard keeper with 6:59 left in the second quarter to make it 7-0. The Chippewas padded their halftime lead to 10-0 when Ryan Tice hit a 41 yard field goal on the last play of the half.
Maine kicker Kenny Doak tried to get the Bears within seven early in the third quarter, but his 43 yard attempt was blocked. Doak finally did get Maine on the scoreboard with 3:24 to go in the third, splitting the uprights on a 38 yard attempt to make it 10-3.
Central Michigan iced the game early in the fourth quarter, when Lazzaro hit JaCorey Sullivan on a five yard pass to cap off a 10 play, 80 yard drive to make it 17-3. Later in the final quarter, Maines Richard Carr blocked a CMU punt that went through the endzone resulting in a safety that ended the scoring with just 6:17 left.
Maine had several drives inside the 40 and 30 yard line of Central Michigan during the game, but was never able to come up with the big play or get into the end zone. The visitors were also not disciplined for first time this year, committing 11 penalties for 113 yards. Robinson finished 16-32 passing, 162 yards, and two interceptions. Ramon Jefferson rushed 11 times for 64 yards, while Joe Fitzpatrick added 37 yards on 13 attempts. Jaquan Blair and Devin Young led the receiving core with five catches each, for 57 and 38 yards respectively.
The Maine defense held CMU to 177 total offensive yards on 57 plays. Lazzaro was 7-16 passing, 82 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Lazzaro also led the rushing attack for the Chippewas with 14 attempts for 44 yards. Julian Hicks had two receptions for 38 yards for the winners. Defensively, Sterling Sheffield led the Bears with 10 total tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery. DeShawn Stevens added eight total tackles and an interception. As a unit Maine has only allowed a total of 112 yards rushing in three games so far.
Maine stays on the road for the third straight game next Saturday when they visit Yale at 1 pm. The game can be seen live on ESPN Plus.
UME 0 0 3 2- 5
CMU 0 10 0 7- 17
Total yards- Maine 265 CMU 177
First downs- Maine 18 CMU 12
Turnovers- Maine 2 CMU 2
Time of Possession- Maine 36:00 CMU 24:00
