Maine wide receiver Devin Young looks to run for extra yards after a reception on Saturday, October 6, 2018 against Villanova in CAA football action at Alfond Stadium. Photo by Anthony DelMonaco (click to enlarge)
ORONO, Me- Kicker Kenny Doak hit a career long 52 yard field goal as time expired Saturday, leading the #25 University of Maine football team to a 13-10 Colonial Athletic Association win over #19 Villanova at Alfond Stadium before 6,894 fans. It is the first Black Bears win at home over the Wildcats since 2006, and Villanova had won four straight overall in the series.
In what was a strong defensive battle both ways, the two teams managed just a field goal each in the first half. Villanova (3-3, 0-3 CAA) converted on their first drive of the game that included two makes on fourth down, that would lead to a Drew Kresge 35 yard field goal to put the visitors up 3-0 just 5:02 into the contest.
Maine (3-2, 2-0) finally got some offense going late in the first quarter on a drive that started at their own 3 yard line. Isaiah Robinson connected with receiver Jaquan Blair for a 24 yard pass and catch on a 3rd and 10 at the Cats 37. With a first down as the second quarter began at the Villanova 13, a short run by Joe Fitzpatrick and two incomplete passes by Robinson led to a Doak 30 yard field goal that finished off a 15 play 84 yard drive to tie the game at 3-3. Both teams had four possessions each before the break but the teams went into halftime tied 3-3.
Maine came out strong to begin the second half, marching 14 plays covering 75 yards. The Bears converted a pair of third downs, and also a fourth down play at the Wildcats 25 where Fitzpatrick found first down yardage. Fitzpatrick finished off the drive with a two yard touchdown run to put Maine up 10-3. Another turning point came later in the third, when Maines Earnest Edwards fumbled at his own 16 yard line and Villanova recovered. Aaron Forbes cashed in on a two yard touchdown run to get the Wildcats back even at 10-10.
In the fourth, both teams went back and forth with the defenses going blow for blow. The Bears final chance came with just 1:39 left from their own 17 yard line. The big play came when Robinson found Blair for 20 yards to the Wildcat 44 yard line. After an incomplete pass, Robinson found Micah Wright for 8 yards to the VU 36. After a short Fitzpatrick run to the 35, Maine called time with just three seconds remaining on the clock. Coach Joe Haraysmiak called on his kicker to get the win. Doak had a career long of just 38 yards, and already had a 40 yarder blocked earlier in the game. With the wind to his back, Doak snuck the ball over the goalposts as time expired to help the Bears to a 2-0 conference record and break a two game losing streak. “I was really confident, everyone around me was too, have a really great support staff with players and coaches. I wanted to do it for my team, you look at it, this was a really big game”, said Doak after the game. Coach Joe Haraysmiak added, “We took our full timeout and we were confident. We had the wind so I knew if we got it anywhere around the 35 yard line, with the range he (Doak) has shown in practice that we had a good shot at it. When he hit it I knew it was going in, and he told me he was gonna make it before he went out there”. The Doak kick was the longest kick since Jack Leggett also hit a 52 yarder back in 1975.
Members of the University of Maine football team including Coach Joe Haraysmiak celebrate a last second win over Villanova on Saturday, October 6, 2018 in Orono. Photo by Anthony DelMonaco (click to enlarge)
Robinson finished the game 16-30 passing with two interceptions. Fitzpatrick rushed 15 times for 66 yards, while Edwards added nine carries for 52 yards. Blair led the receiving core with a total of 58 yards on three receptions. Deshawn Stevens led the defense with 6.5 total tackles and two sacks. Sterling Sheffield had 5.5 tackles, and added a sack. The defense had a total of four sacks, two interceptions, and nine tackles for a loss in the win. Haraysmiak added, “Extremely proud of the team. The message before the game was to play as hard as they could and for each other and not letting each other down, and I think that game was pretty spot on for what we were for the entire game. Alot of momentum swings where we could of given up or given in, but we kept fighting and kept fighting”.
Villanova quarterback Jack Schetelich, who was filling in for all conference starter Zach Bednarcyk who was out with an injury, finished 12-25 passing for 93 yards and two interceptions. Forbes finished with 12 carries for 48 yards, including his fourth rushing score in the last three games. Brandon Chadbourne had a pair of receptions for 33 yards. Drew Wiley led the Wildcat defense with 7.5 tackles including 1.5 for a loss. “It kinda went as anticipated, few too many turnovers I think they (Maine) will say the same and just that fast physical type CAA game. We knew they are fast and knew they are physical and that they stop the run we couldn’t really sustain a drive against them. When you have less than 200 yards of total offense, you’re probably not gonna score enough points to win”, said Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante.
Maine has another huge conference game next Saturday when they travel to Rhode Island (4-1, 2-0) to battle the Rams at 12 noon.
VU 3 0 7 0- 10
ME 0 3 7 3- 13
Total yards- Villanova 181 Maine 308
First downs- Villanova 15 Maine 18
Turnovers- Villanova 2 Maine 2
Time of possession- Villanova 29:10 Maine 30:50
