Freddie Brock scored the tying and game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon, as the University of Maine won for the first time in the Jordan Stevens era with a hard fought 31-24 Colonial Athletic Association football victory over Hampton University at Armstrong Stadium in Hampton, Virginia.
Maine (1-4, 1-1 CAA) found some offensive success in the first half. After Hampton went up 7-0 early in the first quarter, Elijah Barnwell had a four yard touchdown run to even the score 7-7 with four minutes left. It took the Pirates just 53 seconds to take the lead back, as standout wide receiver Jadakis Bonds got loose for a 67 yard score from quarterback Malcolm Mays. Zavier Scott made it 14-14 with a 27 yard touchdown run early in the second, and the Black Bears took their first lead 17-14 into halftime when Cole Baker hit a 21 yard field goal.
Maine had a tough third quarter, earning only one first down on 13 total yards in the period including a lost fumble by quarterback Joe Fagnano that ultimately put Hampton back into the lead. The Pirates took advantage of that turnover when they converted on a third down and goal at the Black Bears five yard line as Mays made a great throw to Bonds in the corner of the endzone who hauled in the catch between two defenders and got his feet down for a 21-17 advantage. The hosts would add a field goal of 36 yards by Axel Perez late in the quarter, as they headed to the fourth up 24-17. The Black Bears gained some offensive momentum on the first drive of the fourth quarter that would even the score once again. Trevin Ewing had a huge 28 yard reception, and Kobay White had one of 18 to set up a touchdown. Brock finished off the seven play, 75 yard drive with a seven yard scoring run to make it 24-24 with 11:57 left to play. Maine got the ball back with 8:56 remaining, and a 24 yard run by Barnwell and a 24 yard completion to Montigo Moss helped set up the game winner. After the play to Moss, Fagnano found Brock down the middle of the field for a 25 yard touchdown. Hampton would then drive to the Black Bears 22 yard line seeking another tying score, but a 10 yard illegal use of hands penalty pushed the Pirates back. On third down and 16, Mays threw his third interception with the play being made this time by Austin Ambush in the endzone. Maine took over and got into victory formation to run the clock out giving Stevens his first career head coaching win.
Fagnano finished 19-24 passing for 213 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed nine times for 59 yards. Barnwell led the ground game with 11 carries for 90 yards and one touchdown. White (4 receptions, 31 yards), Scott (3-31), Michael Monios (3-28), and Ewing (2-32) were the leading receivers. Brock caught his only target for the game winning score. Adrian Otero, Jamehl Wiley, and Kahzir “Buggs” Brown each had six total tackles. Otero added an interception, while Jamond DuBose and Ambush had the others. Mays ended up 12-27 passing for 230 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions in the loss for Hampton. Darran Butts was the leading rusher for the Pirates with 13 attempts for 69 yards. Bonds had seven receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Hampton drops to 3-2, 0-2 in the CAA. Maine is back home next Saturday at 1 p.m. as they host Monmouth University in the homecoming game at Alfond Stadium. The Hawks come to town with a four game win streak and a 2-1 conference mark.
