University of Maine
Bryant
Football Falls at Bryant, 13-10
9/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The #23/20 University of Maine football team (1-1) took an early 3-0 lead with 3:36 left in the first quarter and never trailed at Bryant (3-0) until deep into the fourth when a late Bulldogs touchdown proved to be the game-winner as the Black Bears dropped a 13-10 decision on Saturday afternoon.
Maine's defense held Bryant to just 29 rushing yards on 31 attempts but the Bulldogs went 26-for-43 through the air, tallying 301 pass yards and a touchdown. Maine's linebacker starters paved the way for the 'Black Hole' defense with 27 total tackles between the three; led by Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga (Laval, Quebec) who recorded 13 stops.
Nigel Jones (Pleasantville, N.J.) rushed for a game-high 70 yards on 14 carries while Nigel Beckford (Bridgeport, Conn.) added 45 yards with six touches.
In his second career start, Dan Collins (Williamstown, N.J.) went 10-for-21 under center with 151 yards and one touchdown. Collins hit six different receivers including four strikes to Damarr Aultman (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) for 63 yards. Collins' touchdown pass came when he hit Carlton Charles (Windham, Maine) for Charles' first-career score.
Maine's Black Hole defense made an early statement on Bryant's first drive of the game. With the Bulldogs threatening on third-and-goal, Randy Samuels (Bronx, N.Y.) was able to bust through the line, tripping up Bryant's Paul Canevari in the backfield. Bryant's kicker Tom Alberti followed by missing the a 23-yard field goal try as Maine took over on its own 20.
Maine took advantage of the its defensive effort. A big third-and-17 strike from Collins to Aultman gave Maine a first down on the Bryant 46-yardline. Jones moved Maine deep into Bryant territory with a 23-yard pick-up on the ground, ultimately leading to a Sean Decloux (Ottawa, Ontario) 24-yard field goal.
Bryant answered quickly with a 51-yard return, accompanied by a 15-yard Maine personal foul, to start its drive on the Black Bears' 34 yardline. Maine's defense stood tall as it held Bryant to a 27-yard field goal, knotting the score at 3-3 with just 21-seconds left in the first quarter.
The Black Bears took over, moving into Bryant territory thanks to Beckford who picked up 38-yards on the ground during the drive. Collins' attempt to Jordan Dunn (Hamilton, N.J.) was flagged for defensive pass interference, giving Maine first-and-goal on the five. Collins regained the lead for the Black Bears when he rolled out to his right, hitting Charles for a touchdown.
The Bulldogs were able to cut into the Maine lead with a 30-yard field goal from Alberti midway through the second quarter. The Black Bears carried a 10-6 lead into the break.
Scoring was hard to come by in the second half as the lone score was the game-winner by the Bulldogs. Dalton Easton's 41-yard pass to Chad Ward moved Bryant down to the Maine 33-yardline. Two plays later, Easton rolled out and hit Ward again, this time for a 14-yard score.
Aultman took the following kick-off 61 yards but the return would go for none as a Maine holding penalty brought the ball back to the Black Bears' own 19. Maine was unable to convert, turning the ball over on downs as Bryant took a 13-10 victory.
Maine continues road action with its FBS contest on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Boston College. Game time is slated for 1 PM with live coverage on ESPN3.
-U-M-
