FULL GAME NOTES PREVIEW - HERE
Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine football team opens its 2016 season under first-year head coach
Joe Harasymiak on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. when it travels to take on UConn live on ESPN3.
- Maine opens its 2016 season under first year head coach Joe Harasymiak and will be looking for its third FBS victory (Mississippi 2004 - UMass 2013) in school history.
- This will be the 74th all-time meeting between Maine and UConn, former co-members of the Yankee Conference. UConn holds a 39-31-3 advantage and have won the last three meetings (1998, '99, 2007).
- Maine's last win in the head-to-head series with UConn came in 1997 when it defeated the Huskies 49-47 in a thrilling triple overtime affair. Maines's last win at UConn came in 1996, a 17-16 triumph.
- Maine is 9-10 in its last 19 games against UConn, with 10 of those 19 decisions being decided by seven points or less. Maine is 15-20 all-time at UConn.
- Maine will be looking for its 63rd season opening win and currently stands 62-56-5 all-time in season openers.
- The Black Bears return 43 letterwinners (18 off., 23 def., 2 specialists), including 17 who started 5+ games, from its 2015 squad which finished 3-8 overall and 3-5 in Colonial Athletic Association action.
- Maine's 'Black Hole' defense looks to continue its multi-year streak of high-caliber play, coming off a year in which it ranked third in the CAA and 19th in all of FCS in total defense (316.8 ypg). The Black Bears were 12th nationally in rush defense (110.8 ypg), 10th in sacks (2.91) and allowed just 182 first downs; second in the CAA and 14th nationally. Maine returns six startes on defense, including preseason all-conference pick Pat Ricard (DT).
GAME COVERAGE:
(TV): Thursday's game will be broadcast live and nationally on the ESPN3 network and also picked up by the American Sports Network in select areas. All Black Bear fans are invited to the Official UMaine Football Watch Party, hosted at Seasons in Bangor on Thursday at 7 PM!
In Maine, fans can find the game on the following:
- ESPN3 (Online Streaming)
- WGME - Portland (American Sports Network)
- NESNPlus
For national listings - please click
here.
(RADIO): Rich Kimball and Bob Lucy return to the booth for their 20th season calling UMaine football. Fans can listen to Rich and Bob's call on the following Black Bears Sports Networks:
- 103.9 WVOM-FM Bangor
- 101.3 WVQM-FM August
- 1310 WLOB-AM Portland
- 1450 WVOM-AM Rockland
- Listen to the online audio stream at GoBlackBears.com by clicking here.
GAME BREAK-DOWN:
Team Statistics (2015)
| Maine (CAA Rank) |
CATEGORY |
UConn (AAC Rank) |
| 14.9 (T-9) |
Points |
15.5 (10) |
| 321.7 (7) |
Total Offense |
276.8 (10) |
| 115.4 (10) |
Rushing Yards |
107.4 (10) |
| 206.4 (5) |
Passing Yards |
169.3 (10) |
| 8/10 |
Rush TDs/Pass TDs |
8/12 |
| 29:27 (7) |
Offensive Time of Possession |
28:24 (9) |
| 21.5 (5) |
Points Allowed |
29.8 (9) |
| 316.8 (3) |
Total Defense |
378.4 (6) |
| 110.8 (2) |
Rush Yards Allowed |
169.7 (7) |
| 206.0 (9) |
Pass Yards Allowed |
208.8 (4) |
| 18/12 |
Rush/Pass TDs Allowed |
18/21 |
| 30:13 |
Defensive Time of Possession |
31:36 |
| -5 (10) |
Turnover Margin |
-13 (10) |
A LOOK AT THE COACHES:
Maine:
Joe Harasymiak (Springfield Col. '08)
Career Record (Seasons): 0-0 (First season)
vs. UConn: 0-0
UConn: Bob Diaco (Iowa '95)
Career Record (Seasons): 8-17 (Third season)
vs. Maine: 0-0
THE SERIES: UConn leads 39-31-3 | Last meeting: 38-0 UConn in 2007 | Maine's last win - 49-47 (3OT) 1997
-UMaine-
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