Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine football team (4-4, 3-4 CAA) makes its first appearance at historic Fenway Park when it takes on former conference foe UMass (2-7) in the Fenway Gridiron Series on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. Saturday's game will be broadcast nationally on NESNPlus. The Black Bears will be going for their third-ever Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) victory (Mississippi St. - 2004, UMass - 2013).
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Game Storylines:
- UMaine and UMass, who have a storied past as members of the Yankee Conference, Atlantic 10 and Colonial Athletic Association, will be meeting for the 59th time. The Minutemen hold a 41-16-1 advantage in the all-time series. However, the Black Bears have won three of the last four meetings, including a 24-14 decision in the latest showdown in 2013 at Gillette Stadium. UMass has won 23 of the 28 road meetings in the series.
- The Black Bears are coming off a 31-17 loss to Delaware in a game held at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine. Josh Mack rushed for 173-yards in the loss, marking the sixth time in Maine's eight games in which the sophomore has gone for 100+ yards on the ground. Mack will be facing a UMass defense which allows 200.7 rush yards per game.
- Maine's pass defense, which rank second in the CAA (180.8 ypg), will meet UMass' pass game which averages 288.1 ypg. Over its last three outings, Maine's pass defense has only given up one touchdown through the air and has limited the opposition to 127.3 ypg.
- UMass, which has won two in a row before dropping a 34-23 decision at No. 21/21 Mississippi State last weekend, boasts the 23rd best pass offense in the FBS (288.1), led by Andrew Ford and Ross Comis. Ford has thrown for 300+ in three games but missed last week's game after suffering a neck injury in UMass' win over Appalachian St. Andy Isabella (76.6) and Adam Breneman (76.5) rank 46th and 47th nationally in receiving yards. Overall, UMass ranks 40th in the nation, averaging 432.4 ypg.
- Maine ranks ninth in the FCS, and tops in the CAA, in third down conversion defense, allowing a slim 29.6 conversion percentage. UMass has converted only 35.8% of its third down attempts - 98th best in FBS.
- Through eight games, Josh Mack is the FCS leader in all-purpose yards (166.5) and leads the FCS nation in rush yards per game (144.0). Mack, who recently went over the 1,000 yard mark for the season (1,052), became just the fourth Black Bear since 2003 to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. His total is the highest for a Black Bear since Marcus Williams (1,284) in 2003.
A UMaine Win Would...
...Be Maine's 17th win over Massachusetts.
...Be Maine's fourth win in its last five games.
...Be Maine's third win over an FBS program (9-7 at Miss. St. in 2004; 24-14 over UMass in 2013).
...Be Maine's first win at Fenway Park.
...Be Maine's second-straight win over UMass.
...Be Maine's fourth win in its last five games against UMass.
...Be Maine's second-straight road win, and second of the year.
...Be Maine's sixth road win in its all-time series with UMass.
...Be Maine's first win over UMass since 2013 (24-14).
Series Notes:
Maine and UMass will be meeting for the 59th time in history, and the first time since 2013 ... In that meeting, Maine defeated UMass 24-14 at Gillette Stadium ... The win marked Maine's second-ever win over an FBS program ... UMass holds a 41-16-1 record in the all-time series ... The two teams are former Yankee Conference, Atlantic 10 and Colonial Athletic Association foes ... Maine has won three of the last four meetings ... Maine si 5-23 on the road in the series ... In the 2013 meeting, Maine held UMass to just 64-yards rushing on its way to a 24-14 victory thanks for a trio of rushing touchdowns ... The teams first met in 1909 where they battled to a 0-0 tie ... Maine has won two of its last three road games in the all-time series.
Bear Tracks:
- Sophomore running back Josh Mack, who has rushed for 100+ yards in six of Maine's eight games, currently leads the country in rush yards per game (144.0), all-purpose yards (166.5) and sits second nationally with 1,152 total rush yards. Mack's total makes him just the fourth Black Bear since 2003 to rush for 1,000+ yards in a season. His 1,152 mark is the second-highest total since Marcus Williams rushed for 1,284 in 2003. Mack has been named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List, presented to the top offensive player in FCS football. Mack, averaging a CAA best 6.03 yards per carry, had a historic performance against Bryant earlier this season. In that game, Mack rushed for 255-yards becoming just the second Black Bear ever to rush for more than 250+ in a game, and the first to go over 200 since Marcus Williams (246 yds) in 2003. Mack again eclipsed the 200+ yard mark with 248 rush yards against URI - becoming just the second Black Bear since 1989 (Carl Smith) to rush for 200+ twice in a single season. Mack has now rushed for 100+ nine times in his career.
- Kayon Whitaker has made himself at home in the opposition's backfield this year. Whitaker leads the CAA with 1.5 tackles for loss per game (12.0 total TFLs) and has notched 7.5 sacks over his last five games, including a 2.0 sacks in three of Maine's last five games.
- Redshirt freshman linebacker Jaron Grayer, who leads all CAA freshmen in tackles and was recently named to the Jerry Rice Award watch list, has burst onto the scene for Maine. Grayer has notched 10+ tackles in four of eight games this year. After leading the Black Bears with 10 tackles in his first career game, Grayer followed up with 3.0 TFLs, including a sack, and a forced fumble against Bryan, added 11 tackles at Villanova and a career-high 12 stops against William & Mary before tallying 11 more tackles against Delaware. Grayer currently ranks eighth in the CAA with 8.8 tackles per game.
- Redshirt freshman QB Chris Ferguson made his career debut in Maine's opener at UNH. Ferguson tossed three touchdown passes in the 24-23 loss, becoming the first player since Ron Whitcomb (2003) to throw for 3+ touchdowns as a freshman. Ferguson matched the feat with three more TDs in his second career game, against Bryant before tossing five touchdowns against Rhode Island. Ferguson is just the third UMaine QB since the start of the 1999 season to throw for 5+ TDs in a game. With a career-high 263-yards against UAlbany, Ferguson surpassed 1,000-yards throwing for the season.
- Third Down Defense: Maine's third down defense currently ranks first in the CAA and ninth in the nation, allowing a slim 29.6 conversion percentage to opponents.
- 'Black Hole' - Maine's defense is one of six CAA teams which ranks in the top 35 in the country. The Black Bears are surrendering 21.1 points per game and rank 22nd nationally after allowing 322.9 yards per game.
- Sacks: The Black Bears' offensive line have provided incredible production thus far. Maine has allowed just 13 sacks all season, tops in the CAA. On the flip-side, the Black Hole defense ranks fifth in the CAA and 20th nationally with 2.88 sacks per game.
- Special Teams: The return game, which was a highlight for Maine in 2016, has picked up right where it left off. The Black Bears returned all five of their return weapons (DeVaughn, Edwards, Scott, Mack, Wright) to a unit which currently ranks fourth in the CAA in kickoff return at 21.3 yards per return. On the punt side, Maine is second in the CAA, averaging 10.8 yards per return. Defensively, the Black Bears rank fourth in the nation and lead the CAA in punt return defense, allowing just 3.00 yards per return.
- Take Aways: On Sept. 9, the Black Bears forced an impressive eight turnovers (five interceptions, three fumble recoveries) in a win over Bryant.
- Sterling Sheffield enters the game against with a tackle for loss in each of his last 11 games, dating back to 2016. In his last 11 outings, Sheffield has totaled 17.5 TFLs.
- Sophomore RB Josh Mack is 136 rush yards from 1,500 in his career. Mack recently became the first Black Bear since Pushaun Brown (2011) to rush for 1,000+ yards in a season.
- Freshman Earnest Edwards enters action 381 receiving yards from 1,000 in his career.
- Senior WR Jared Osumah, who pulled down his 50th career reception at UNH, is 186 receiving yards from 1,000. Osumah stands 28 receptions from 100.
- Senior WR Jaleel Reed is 180 receiving yard away from 1,000 for his career.
- Preseason all-conference corner Najee Goode recorded his 100th career tackle in Maine's opener at UNH. Goode is now 38 tackles away from 150.
- Redshirt junior safety Darrius Hart stands four tackles from 100 in his time at Maine.
- Senior safety Jason Matovu is Maine's active leader in tackles (134).
- Manny Patterson, who notched a career-best five pass breakups at UAlbany, currently ranks 11th in the nation with 1.5 pass breakups per game.
- Senior right guard Isaiah Brooks is Maine's active leader in games played at 40, starting all 40 he's appeared in. Jamil Demby ranks second on the active games played list for Maine (37).
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