University of Maine
New Hampshire
Football Drops 24-3 Decision at New Hampshire; Await Postseason Destiny
11/23/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of Maine football team (10-2, 7-1 CAA) failed to finish its season undefeated in league play as it dropped a 24-3 decision at New Hampshire (7-4, 6-2 CAA) in the battle for the Brice-Cowell musket on Saturday afternoon. Maine will now find out its postseason destiny with the NCAA FCS Selection Show tomorrow at 11:30 AM.
Senior quarterback Marcus Wasilewski (Kulpmont, Pa.) finished the game 27-for-43 with 220 yards. Wasilewski found eight different targets led by Derrick Johnson's (Hempstead, N.Y.) eight catches for 95-yards.
The Black Bear defense held New Hampshire's pass attack to 118-yards but the Wildcats outgained Maine 331-315 overall with 213-yards coming on the ground. Cabrinni Goncalves (Taunton, Mass.) led the defensive attack with 12 tackles, including a sack, and a pass breakup.
The Wildcats jumped on the board first after piecing together a 14 play, 85-yard drive over 7:02. Faced with a fourth and four, New Hampshire ran some trickery with a fake punt pitch to Dougie Moss for a seven yard gain. New Hampshire kept charging down to the Maine five before Andy Vailas found Jordan Powell in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown.
Wasilewski led the Black Bears down the field late in the first quarter and into New Hampshire territory. Looking at third and nine at the New Hampshire 24, Wasilewski hit Derrick Johnson (Hempstead, N.Y.) in the middle of the field for an 18-yard gain. The Black Bears failed to convert on third and goal while Sean Decloux (Ottawa, Ontario) came on to attempt a 27-yard field goal. However, Decloux's try was wide left to keep the score at 7-0 early in the second quarter.
The Wildcats took over and marched down the field, highlight by a 47-yard pass to Vailas to R.J. Harris, to give the Wildcats first down at the Maine 11. The Black Bear defense would hold New Hampshire to a field goal as Mike MacArthur hit from 25-yards out.
After a 57-yard Wildcat punt, the Black Bears started at their own 22. However, Wasilewski's first pass of the drive was intercepted by Casey DeAndrade and return to the Maine 16. Prior to the interception, Wasilewski had thrown 136 completions and 190 attempts without a pick. Maine's defense was once again able to hold its ground, forcing another Wildcat field goal attempt. On the attempt, the Wildcats snap was bobbled allowing Maine to block the kick. Cabrinni Goncalves (Taunton, Mass.) returned the block out to the Maine 31.
Wasilewski went to work on the two-minute drill offense, moving the Black Bears down into New Hampshire territory after picking up a first down at the New Hampshire 29 on a completion to Justin Perillo (Wilmington, Del.). Wasilewski followed up by hitting Arthur Williams (Springfield, Mass.) with a 13-yard pass. On third and nine from the New Hampshire 15, Wasilewski hit Perillo again for a seven yard gain. Decloux came on and hit a 27-yard field goal with just seconds remaining in the half, the 14th of his season which is a new school-record, as Maine would go into the half trailing 10-3.
The Black Bears received the second half kick and looked to cut into the New Hampshire lead as Rickey Stevens (Rochester, N.Y.) took the first snap 60-yards down to the New Hampshire 23. However, Maine was unable to convert on fourth and one, turning the ball over on downs.
The Wildcats padded its lead with 3:13 remaining in third quarter, taking advantage of a Wasilewski fumble, as Sean Goldrich hit Jimmy Giansante for a six-yard touchdown completion.
New Hampshire continued to add to its lead as Nico Steriti broke free for a 68-yard touchdown rush, just under two-minutes into the fourth quarter to give the Wildcats a 24-3 advantage.
Maine kept charging and looking for ways to cut into the Wildcat lead but could not find the endzone as New Hampshire defeated the Black Bears in the annual battle for the Brice-Cowell musket, 24-3.
Tune in for the NCAA FCS Selection Show tomorrow morning at 11:30 am on ESPNU where the Black Bears will find out where they are seeded in the 2013 NCAA FCS tournament. Fans are invited to join the team at the Marketplace on campus beginning at 10:30 for the selection show watch party.
-U-M-
