ALBANY, N.Y. -- With UMaine leading 12-10 late in the fourth quarter, UAlbany began marching, driving all the way down to the Maine 13-yard line. However, a big third down sack from Deshawn Stevens and a false start penalty backed the Great Danes up to the 27 where Ethan Stark's 44-yard field goal try failed wide left. The Black Bears took over and ultimately were able to hold on, defeating the Great Danes by a final of 12-10 for their second-straight Colonial Athletic Association victory and their third-straight over UAlbany.

Brandon Briggs' pair of 37-yard field goals and a 34-yard touchdown reception by Micah Wright proved to be all the scoring UMaine (3-3, 2-3 CAA) would need. Josh Mack added 181 total yards of offense, including his fifth 100+ yard rushing performance (108) of the season.

Chris Ferguson finished 19-of-30 for a career-high 263-yards with a touchdown, his leading target being Jared Osumah who totaled five receptions for 65-yards.

In total, the Black Bears outgained UAlbany 358-262.

The Black Hole defense, which held UAlbany (3-4, 1-3) to just 71 total yards in the first half, forced nine UAlbany punts and limited the Great Danes to just 99 rush yards. Jeff DeVaughn, Charles Mitchell and Kayon Whitaker each tallied seven tackles to lead the way while Whitaker added a pair of sacks, his fourth and fifth in the last three games. The Black Bears were stellar on third down, holding UAlbany to just 1-of-12. On the outside, Manny Patterson recorded a career-high five pass breakups to lead the secondary efforts.

With neither team able to get the offense rolling early, it was the defense that came up with the first score of the game. The Black Bears took over at their own 12 but a fumble on first down allowed the Great Danes' Antoine White to scoop and score. UAlbany took a 7-0 lead with 3:38 left in the first quarter.

The Black Bears were able to answer on the ensuing drive. Facing a third and two, Ferguson hit Mack for a 35-yard catch and run down to the UAlbany 29. Maine was able to advance to the UAlbany 27 before Briggs came on and hit a 37-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 7-3 early in the second quarter.

Whitaker's first sack of the game forced UAlbany to punt and the Maine offense immediately capitalized. Ferguson found Jaleel Reed for 15-yards on first down before hitting Wright for a 34-yard score. The Black Bears were unable to hit the extra point but took their first lead of the day, 9-7, with 11:09 left in the opening half.

Maine carried its lead into the half, and held on through much of the second, until Karl Mofor's 58-yard run took UAlbany down to the Maine 22. Prior to the rush, Maine's defense had held UAlbany to just 112 total yards. Five plays later, Ethan Stark's 36-yard field goal gave the Great Danes a 10-9 lead, with 2:08 left in the third quarter.

The Black Bears again had the answer as Ferguson and the offense put together a 10-play, 57-yard drive, concluding with Briggs' second field goal of the game, also from 37-yards. The make helped Maine regain the lead, 12-10, with 14:02 left in regulation.

Maine punter Derek Deoul pinned UAlbany on its own 2-yard line with 8:20 left in the fourth quarter. The Great Dane offense went to work, first receiving some help on a Maine personal foul on third down which brought the ball out to the 20. Following the penalty, Will Brunson hit Donovan McDonald down the sideline for a 42-yard gain. Offensive pass interference backed the Great Danes up before Brunson again found McDonald, this time for 41-yards out to the Maine 13. Facing third down, Stevens broke through the line for a huge third down sack. A false start penalty proved to be costly for the Great Danes, backing them up to the Maine 27 where Stark's 44-yard field goal try would miss wide left.

Maine would take over at its own 27 where Mack looked to put the game away. Facing a third and five, the nation's leader in rush yards per game used a great push by his offensive line to gain six for a first down. The Black Bears would form a victory formation and hold on for a 12-10 league victory.

Maine is back in action on Saturday, Oct. 28 when it hosts William & Mary at 12:30 p.m.

-UMaine-