The University of Maine and Husson University football teams played non-conference games on the road on Saturday, and the Black Bears and Eagles both came up with wins.
At Duane Stadium in North Andover, Massachusetts- Maine outscored Merrimack College 20-0 in the second half to come away with a 26-15 win over the Warriors. Things didn’t start well for the guests, as Tavion Banks fumbled and Grant Jackson picked it up for MC and ran 53 yards for a first quarter touchdown. The Black Bears got down 10-0, and also gave up a first half safety as Merrimack led 15-6 at the break.
A Justin Lewis pass midway through the third quarter was intercepted by Alhaji Kamara for the Black Bears, that led to a 12-yard touchdown from Carter Peevy to Cooper Heisey to cut the deficit to 15-13. After a three and out, Maine took their first lead of the day and the lead for good on a 28-yard field goal by Joey Bryson with 13:24 left to play. They would add a five-yard TD run by Banks with 5:54 to go, and another Bryson field goal of 39 yards to end the scoring.
Peevy went 17-26 passing for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the win for 2-2 Maine. Banks was the leading rusher with 13 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. Joe Gillette had four catches for 86 yards, while Montigo Moss also had four receptions for 52 yards. Heisey and Mason Gilbert each had a touchdown catch. Kesean Dyson had 10 total tackles, with one for a loss and one sack. Kamara and Devin Vaught both had an interception. Jackson had the lone touchdown score for Merrimack on the defensive end, while Jermaine Corbett rushed for 80 yards on 15 attempts as the Warriors (FCS Independent) fall to 1-3. The Black Bears are back in conference play next week as they take their 0-1 Coastal Athletic Association record into a showdown on the road with #20 Albany on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
At Sabine Field in Northfield, Vermont- Max Clark tossed two touchdown passes to Ja’Quan Myles, and Lavar Hunter ran for two more as Husson University defeated Norwich University 38-22 in the homecoming game for the Navigators.
Husson (2-1) never trailed, breaking out to a 21-0 second quarter lead. Clark hit Myles for a 73-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and for a 5-yard score in the second. Hunter had a 17-yard rushing TD in the second as well, and later added a 51-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter. Cornett Cameron also had a 92-yard kickoff return for an Eagles touchdown in the third.
Clark went 16-22 passing for 201 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Husson win. Hunter finished with 10 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns, while Jed Lober had 24 attempts for 85 yards. Myles ended up with six receptions for 136 yards and his two trips to the endzone. CJ Nicely had nine total tackles to lead the Eagles defense, while Jahmye Tyson had an interception. Aidan Sullivan went 23-35 for 292 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the loss for Norwich, who falls to 0-3. Jehric Hackney had a rushing TD, while wide receivers Connor McFarland (8 receptions, 153 yards) and Henri Bourque each caught one through the air. Husson plays game four of their five game non-conference schedule at Anna Maria College next Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Maine running back Brian Santana-Fis looks for yardage during a season opening home win over Colgate. Santana-Fis and his teammates rallied for a road win over Merrimack on Saturday. Photo by Anthony DelMonaco
Lavar Hunter during a season opening Husson win over Framingham State. Hunter rushed for two touchdowns on Saturday to help lead the Eagles over Norwich University. Photo courtesy of Eric Ogden Photography
