University of Maine
Richmond
Defense Paves Way in Football's Victory Over #8 Richmond
11/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine defense forced five turnovers and added a blocked punt as the Black Bears defeated #8 Richmond, 33-20, on Saturday afternoon at Alfond Stadium. Maine's defense tallied two scores in the win as Trevor Bates (Westbrook, Maine) returned an interception for a score and Benjamin Davis (Harrington Park, N.J.) fell on his blocked punt for a touchdown.
The Black Hole defense limited Richmond to just 58 net yards rushing and gave up just 20 points, 13.3 points per game below the Spiders' average coming into Saturday. Khari Al-Mateen (Baltimore, Md.) recorded eight tackles, an interception and forced a fumble while Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga (Laval, Quebec) and Randy Samuels (Bronx, N.Y.) tallied Maine's third and fourth interceptions.
Quarterback Drew Belcher (Reading, Mass.) and the Maine offense were efficient, racking up 298 total yards as the freshman signal caller rushed for a game-high 92-yards on 21 attempts with a touchdown. Belcher went 14-for-27 in the air for 119-yards while fellow freshman Nigel Beckford (Bridgeport, Conn.) also rushed for a score to go along with 47-yards on 14 carries.
Richmond wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as it took the opening drive 75-yards on 11 plays, ending with a 1-yard rush into the end zone from quarterback Michael Rocco. A missed extra point gave the Spiders an early 6-0 lead.
The Spiders were not so lucky on their second possession as Bates tipped Rocco's pass and brought it in before sprinting 23-yards to the end zone. A failed Maine extra point kept the game knotted at six-all.
Maine's defensive special teams fed off from Bates' interception as Al-Mateen forced a fumble on the ensuing kick-off. The Black Bears took over on the Richmond 17-yard line before Sean Decloux (Ottawa, Ontario) cashed in on a 26-yard field goal to give Maine a 9-6 lead.
With 4:14 left in the half, Richmond took over on its own 9-yard line. Maine's defense kept up the pressure, forcing the Spiders to punt after a three-and-out. Davis came up with another huge special teams play for the Black Bears as he came in untouched, blocking the Spider punt into their own end zone before falling on the ball for a score.
Following another Richmond three-and-out, Maine's offense began on its own 30-yard line. An 11-yard catch from Jared Osumah (South Windsor, Conn.) and a 15-yard personal foul penalty on the Spiders put Maine down to the Richmond 31. An 18-yard strike from Belcher to Osumah gave Maine first-and-goal before Beckford busted in from 7-yards out, giving Maine a 23-6 advantage at the half.
Richmond cut the lead to 10 with 1:38 left in the third quarter when Rocco hit Reggie Diggs for a 14-yard touchdown pass and catch.
Maine's offense took advantage of yet another Spiders' turnover following an interception from Mulumba Tshimanga. The Black Bears took over on the Richmond 31 following the Richmond mishap. Belcher's 25-yard carry down to the Richmond 1-yard line to setup his own quarterback keeper into the end zone as Maine pushed its lead to 30-13 early in the fourth quarter.
Richmond looked to answer on its very next possession until Samuels put an end to the drive with a diving interception at Maine's 22-yard line.
The Spiders were able to get the ball back and drive 58-yards on nine plays before Seth Fisher plunged in from 3-yards out, cutting the lead back to 10.
Maine would have an answer just over three minutes later as it turned Al-Mateen's interception into a 36-yard field goal from Decloux.
The defense put things away for the Black Bears as it forced Richmond to turn the ball over on downs before taking a knee to run out the clock and seal the upset victory over the #8 Spiders.
Maine continues Colonial Athletic Association action on Saturday, Nov. 15 when it travels to take on conference newcomer Elon at 3 p.m.
-U-M-
