Box Score EAST HARTFORD, Conn. -- The University of Maine football team put up an incredible fight in its season opener at UConn, leading late in the fourth quarter, but came up short as a late field goal allowed the Huskies to escape with a 24-21 victory.

Jaleel Reed finished with career highs in receptions (6) and receiving yards (169) to lead the Black Bears. Quarterback Dan Collins, who found Reed for one of his two passing scores, ended 19-for-33 with 269-yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Maine's defense, led by Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga's game-high 12 tackles, limited UConn to 162-yards through the air. Najee Goode packed the stat line on defense with four tackles, 2.0 for loss, a sack, forced fumble and a fumble recovery which he returned 74-yards for a go-ahead score.

For the second-straight season in a season-opener against an FBS opponent, the Black Bears jumped out to an early first quarter lead. On its third drive of the first quarter, Collins hit Reed for a 48-yard strike, bringing Maine into UConn territory for the first time in the game. Three plays later, Collins found freshman Joshua Mack outside for a 20-yard score. The touchdown was the first of Mack's career in his first game.

UConn answered with a one-yard run from Ron Johnson, tying the score at 7-7 early in the first half. The play did not come easy as a score on the previous play was called back after a challenge by the Black Bears.

Maine looked to respond on its ensuing drive as Collins and the offense drove down to the UConn 20-yard line. However, the Black Bears missed a 37-yard field goal and the game remain tied at the half.

The Huskies captured their first lead of the game when Johnson scampered in from 21-yards out for his second score of the night with 3:10 left in the third quarter.

Collins and the offense settled back in, moving the ball down to the UConn 40-yard line before the senior quarterback floated a perfect ball into the hands of Reed. The junior came down with the catch in the end zone, once again tying the game to move into the fourth quarter.

It was the Black Hole's turn now. After UConn advanced into Maine territory, Najee Goode blasted in from the outside, strip sacking the Huskies' quarterback and returning the ball 74-yards to the house. The score put Maine on top, 21-14, early in the fourth quarter.

The back-and-forth action continued as UConn completed a six play, 54-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown rush from Arkeel Newsome, once again knotting the score with 3:20 left in the fourth.

Late in the fourth, UConn began its final drive of the game, maneuvering itself down to the Maine 20-yard line. With 11-seconds on the clock, UConn's Bobby Puyol hit a 37-yard field goal, giving the Huskies a late, three-point cushion.

A last second completion wouldn't get Maine far enough as the clock ran out, allowing UConn to escape with a 24-21 win in the opener.

Maine continues non-conference action on Saturday, Sept. 10 when it travels to take on Toledo at 7 p.m.

-UMaine-