KINGSTON, R.I. -- Kenny Doak's 39-yard field goal as time expired lifted the No. 21 Black Bears to a 38-36 road win at No. 16 Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd at Meade Stadium. The kick marked the second-straight week in which the Black Bears have walked-off with a victory as Maine improves to 4-2 overall and more importantly, 3-0 in league play.

The win was Maine's 12th consecutive over Rhode Island, who falls to 4-2 and suffers its first loss in league play (2-1).

The Black Bears outscored Rhode Island 24-6 over the final 20:23, including battling back from 16 down midway through the third quarter.

After falling behind 36-35 with 51-seconds remaining, Chris Ferguson went 5-for-7 on Maine's final drive, marching the Black Bears 54-yards in nine plays down to the URI 21 with 5-seconds on the clock. Coming out of a Maine timeout, Doak and the field goal unit marched on where the sophomore kicker split the uprights with the game-winner.

Ferguson and Micah Wright connected 10 times, Wright's career-best for receptions, for 125-yards and a score on the afternoon. Ferguson also set career-marks with 30 completions and 278-yards while tacking on three touchdowns, two coming through the air and one on a gutsy rush from 9-yards out with 2:28 remaining in the fourth.

Daejuan Sanders paced Maine's 128-yard rushing attacked with 57-yards on the ground while Joe Fitzpatrick added 29-yards and a score; his second in as many weeks.

The defense held its eighth-consecutive opponent to 100 or fewer rush yards as the 'Black Hole' swarmed, limiting the Rams to 99-yards on the ground and captured three turnovers. Maine was able to hold Rhody to a 4-for-14 showing on third down and posted four sacks on the day. Deshawn Stevens, the reigning CAA Defensive Player of the Week, again impressed with a team-high 12 tackles, including a sack, and a forced fumble. Darrius Hart and Richard Carr each added interceptions while Sterling Sheffield extended his sack-streak to six games.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1Q | Rhode Island took its opening drive 34-yards down to the Maine 33. However, the Rams' attempt at a lateral ended up in the hands of Jeff DeVaughn. The Maine safety returned the fumble 66-yards for a score as the Black Bears took a 7-0 lead just 3:42 into the first quarter.

1Q | It appeared like DeVaughn had his second take away of the game when he intercepted Vito Priore's pass at the Maine 5. However, a penalty on Maine negated pick. Four plays later, C.J. Carrick split the uprights with a 32-yard field goal, cutting the Maine lead to 7-3.

1Q | URI was able to force a Maine punt on the Black Bears' next possession. Hart would regain possession for the Black Bears when he pulled down his seventh career interception, hauling in the pass in Maine's end zone. On the ensuing play, Maine would give it right back to URI when Earnest Edwards fumbled at the Maine 42. However, no damage was done as the Black Bear defense stood their ground, forcing a URI three-and-out.

1Q | With 2:20 left in the quarter, Rhode Island took over at its own 44. On the second play of the drive, Priore connected with Aaron Parker for a 52-yard touchdown reception, giving the Rams a 10-7 advantage.

2Q | Maine was again held to a three-and-out as URI would take over at its own 14 with 14:44 left in the half. The Rams orchestrated a seven play, 86-yard drive in 2:41, ending with a 4-yard rushing score from Ahmere Dorsey. The touchdown extended URI's lead to 16-7 with 12:03 on the clock.

2Q | With Rhode Island again driving, Maine's defense was able to come up with a big stop when Stevens sacked Priore on a fourth and nine from the Maine 31. Ferguson hit Wright for a 14-yard gain on third down to the URI 44. A 15-yard rush from Fitzpatrick put the ball at the 29 before Devin Young fought for a 50-50 ball, coming out on top for a gain of 28 down the one. Fitzpatrick blasted in for a Maine touchdown, cutting the lead to 16-14.

3Q | Rhode Island's first two drives of the second half both ended in rushing scores from Zoe Bryant Jr., the first a 6-yard touchdown and the next a 1-yard plunge. The touchdowns elevated Rhode Island's lead to 30-14 with 10:32 left in the quarter.

3Q | The Black Bears, who began the drive from the URI 30, settled in for their best drive of the game up to this point. Rushes of 11-yard from Sanders and a carry of eight by Wright, preceded a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Rams. Maine, with the ball at the URI 25, converted on 4th and 6 with a six-yard reception by Wright. Three plays later, Ferguson rolled out and hit Young for a 10-yard score. Maine set up to go for two-points, which they were able to convert when Ferguson found Wright in the corner of the end zone, bringing the game back to a one score deficit.

4Q | Carr's interception with 10:08 left in regulation gave Maine great field position at the URI 39. Facing 3rd and 8, Ferguson hit Jaquan Blair for 28-yards down to the 6-yard line before Ferguson found Wright at the corner of the goal line for the score; Wright's 19th of his career. However, Maine was unable to cash in on the two-point conversion and continued to trail, 30-28.

4Q | Maine's defense stood strong, forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing URI possession. Following a punt, the Black Bears took over on their own 24. A pair of 30-yard completions from Ferguson to Wright, the first coming on a 3rd and 16, carried Maine down to the URI 17. Three plays later, as the pocket collapsed, Ferguson tucked the ball and began to rush for the end zone. He was met with a tough hit at the goal line but fought through for the touchdown. Doak's point after gave Maine a 35-30 advantage with 2:28 to play.

4Q | Rhody answered, marching 75-yards on 10 plays - thanks in part to a pair of 15-yard penalties and a late roughing the passer penalty on the Black Bears. The drive ended when Priore found Parker for a 2-yard score. A two-point attempt by the Rams failed as the score stood with URI on top, 36-35, with 51-seconds left.

4Q | Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Maine following the two-point attempt allowed URI to kickoff from Maine's 35. The kick sailed through the end zone for a touchback as Maine took over on its own 25. A 15-yard strike to Wright and a 16-yard hit to Blair brought Maine to the URI 47. Ferguson found Fitzpatrick on a 6-yard check down before a URI participation for 12-men on the field moved the ball to the 21. Ferguson rushed the ball to the middle of the field before Maine took a timeout, setting up the game-winner. Doak's 39-yard field goal was true, sending the Black Bears into celebration mode at Meade Stadium.

Maine continues CAA action on Saturday, Oct. 20 when it travels to face William & Mary at 3:30 p.m.

-UMaine-