University of Maine
Elon
Football Locks Down Third-Straight Win with 24-17 Victory at Elon
11/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
ELON, N.C. -- Nigel Beckford (Bridgeport, Conn.) rushed for 104-yards and a score while catching another touchdown as the Black Bears picked up their third-straight win, defeating Elon 24-17 on Saturday evening.
Maine's defense forced three turnovers and held the Elon offense to just 24-yards rushing while its pressure led to the Phoenix going 0-for-14 on third down.
Elon's failure on third down led to the Black Bears controlling play as they held the ball for a dominating 40:42 while outgaining the Phoenix 387-172.
Damarr Aultman (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) hauled in seven catches for 47-yards and a touchdown. Aultman's day moved him into fifth all-time in career receptions and seventh in receiving yards.
On just the third play of the game, Elon corner Adrian McClendon picked off Belcher on the 30-yard line and had a straight shot into the end zone to give the Phoenix a 7-0 lead just 1:46 into the first quarter.
Belcher responded to the interception by taking charge of Maine's offense on its next drive as the freshman marched the Black Bears 73-yards on 14 plays for a score. Belcher's 14-yard run on put Maine into Elon territory before he hit Jordan Dunn (Hamilton, N.J.) on a 17-yard fade down to the Elon six. Three plays later, Beckford bounced in from 2-yards out to knot the score at 7-7.
The Black Bears continued to stall Elon's offense, forcing a punt and taking over on the Maine 31-yard line. Belcher's quick out to Dunn turned into a 33-yard gain down to the Elon 36-yard line. Beckford's rushes of eight yards and 23-yards gave Maine first and goal before Belcher hit Aultman for a 4-yard score, putting the Black Bears up 14-7.
Elon grabbed great field position when Jeremy Gloston blocked a Maine punt on the Black Bears' own 18-yard line. However, Maine's 'black hole' defense held the Phoenix to a 23-yard field goal as the Black Bears entered the half with a 14-10 lead.
The Black Bears controlled game play in the opening half as they held the ball for 21:34 and outgained the Phoenix 194-46, holding Elon to just 19-yards on the ground.
Maine added to its lead with a third quarter field goal. Belcher's rush of 20-yards was followed by a 16-yard carry from Beckford. The Black Bears kept driving down to the Elon 25-yard line before Decloux knocked through a 42-yard field goal.
Belcher carried the Maine offense into the fourth quarter as his first pass play in the final quarter went for 13-yard to Aultman down to the Elon 32. A 10-yard rush from Beckford was erased by a hold. However, Beckford's redemption came soon after as he took a screen pass from Belcher 29-yard to the house, stretching Maine's lead out to 24-10.
Elon took the ensuing drive deep into Maine territory before Al-Mateen stopped the Phoenix, jumping up and bringing in his fifth career interception at the Maine 1-yard line.
The Black Bears gave the ball right back when Julius Moore intercepted Belcher and returned the takeaway 34-yard to the Maine 17. Shortly after, Mike Quinn hit Kierre Brown for a 17-yard touchdown.
After Elon converted a first down on 4th and inches, Quinn tossed a deep ball which Axel Ofori (Gaithersburg, Md.) was able to intercept at the Maine 31-yard line with 5:43 left in the half.
Elon did not go quietly as it took over on its own 17-yard line with 2:14 left. However, with no timeouts and Maine's defense continuing to come up big in clutch situation, the Black Bears held on for a 24-17 victory.
Maine returns home Saturday, Nov. 22 on Senior Day when it hosts rival New Hampshire live at 3:30 PM on NBC Sports Network.
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