Orono, Maine – Maine's 'Black Hole' defense limited William & Mary to only six points and 199 total yards as the Black Bears cruised to their third-straight win after defeating the Tribe by a final of 23-6 on Saturday afternoon at Alfond Stadium.

Maine's (4-3, 3-3 CAA) smothering defense forced William & Mary (2-6, 0-5 CAA) into a one-dimensional offense, holding the Tribe to 6-for-22 passing and 57-yards in the air. The Tribe converted on just 3-of-16 third down attempts.
 
The Black Bears have now stretched their streak of not allowing an offensive touchdown to eight quarters.
 
Offensively, Chris Ferguson threw for 192-yards and a score and Josh Mack added 99-yards and a touchdown as the Black Bears posted 342-yards.
 
The Black Bears limited William & Mary to just three first downs in the first half, and 66 total yards, as they were able to shutout the Tribe on third down (0-for-8) and carry a 13-3 lead into the break.
 
A trio of field goals opened the scoring in the first half. After Darrius Hart intercepted William & Mary on its first drive, the Tribe answered with a 41-yard field goal by Kris Hooper.
 
The Black Bears answered, marching 89-yards on 11 plays, including a 30-yard swing on a 15-yard pass from Ferguson to Jaleel Reed which was followed with a William & Mary personal foul. Brandon Briggs completed the Maine drive with a 19-yard field goal to tie the score at 3-3 with 5:13 to play in the first quarter.
 
Briggs gave the Black Bears the lead midway through the second quarter when he converted a career-high 43-yard field goal.
 
The Black Bears put together a clutch drive to close out the first half. After taking over on its own 31 with 1:26 left in the second quarter, Ferguson hit Jared Osumah for 34-yards on first down. A 20-yard pass to Edwards on third and nine moved Maine down to the Tribe 14 before Ferguson hit Drew Belcher in the front corner of the end zone for the first touchdown of the day.
 
The score gave Maine a 13-3 lead entering the half.
 
Maine's defensive effort continued to shine in the second half, holding William & Mary to just three points as the Black Bears looked to put the game away.
 
Hooper's 25-yard field goal early in the third quarter would be the only scoring the Tribe could muster in the second half.
 
With Maine leading 13-6, Ferguson and the offense went to work late in the third period. A 45-yard pass to Edwards on third down advanced the Black Bears to the William & Mary 30 before an 18-yard rush by Mack put the ball on the 12. After moving to the 5-yard line, Ferguson threaded a pass to the front corner of the end zone where Drew Belcher made the catch. After Briggs' point after, the Maine lead grew to 20-6.
 
On its next drive, Ferguson and the offense marched 51-yards, thanks in part to a 21-yard rush by Joe Fitzpatrick, before Briggs hit his third field goal of the game. The 23-yard strike put the Black Bears up 23-6 with 8:13 to play.
 
The score, and the Black Hole defense, would hold on the rest of the way, as Maine was able to improve to 3-3 in CAA action, and 3-0 at home, with the 23-6 victory.
 
Maine is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 4 when it meets Delaware at Portland's Fitzpatrick Stadium. For tickets, please visit GoBlackBears.com or call 207.581.BEAR.
 
-UMaine-