Williamsburg, VA -- Earnest Edwards posted career-highs with nine receptions and 196 receiving yards but the No. 16 Black Bears (4-3, 3-1 CAA) were outscored 13-3 in the second half, leading to a 27-20 loss at William and Mary (3-4, 2-2).

Edwards, who totaled 326 all-purpose yards, turned in Maine's highest receiving output since Micah Wright posted nine catches for 198-yards against Elon in 2015. In all, the Black Bears were able to outgained the Tribe 347-268.

Chris Ferguson finished the day 26-for-46, matching his career-high for the second straight week with 278-yards through the air.

Ramon Jefferson also turned in a career day, posting career-bests in carries (14) and rush yards (80) while tallying his first career rushing score.

Defensively, Maine held its ninth consecutive team to 100 rush yards or fewer as the Black Hole limited William and Mary to just 33 net rush yards, an average of 1.1 yards per rush. The effort was paced by Taji Lowe who boasted a career-best 11 tackles with a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Deshawn Stevens added 10 tackles including 2.5 for loss with a sack. The tackle total marked Steven's second straight week of totaling 10 or more stops.

Maine was challenged on third down, facing an average of 10-yards to gain on the money down. The Black Bears finished the day 4-of-18 on third down opportunities. The third down conversion total, coupled with three interceptions and 13 penalties, forced the Black Bears into tough situations all day.

How it happened:

1Q: The game could not have started much better for the Black Bears, who took a 7-0 lead just 12-seconds into the contest. William & Mary's opening drive began from its own 15. The opening snap sailed over the head over Tribe quarterback Dean Rotger and into the end zone where Sterling Sheffield pounced on it for the defensive score.

1Q | A 56-yard pass from Rotger to Chris Conlan set WM up at the Maine 4. After a loss of one, Rotger lobbed a pass into the corner of the end zone where Nick Muse came down with the touchdown reception, tying the game at 7-7 with 6:09 left in the quarter.

1Q | Facing 3rd and 10 from the Maine 43, Ferguson floated a beautifully thrown ball down the near sideline where Edwards hauled it in at the WM 16. The Black Bears' drive stalled but Kenny Doak's 25-yard field goal gave them a 10-7 advantage, a lead they would hold heading into the second quarter.

2Q | Ferguson's 38-yard pass to Edwards moved Maine down to the William & Mary 14 early in the second quarter. However, Ferguson's third down attempt was tipped at the line and intercepted by Arman Jones, who returned the pick 90-yards for a touchdown.

2Q | The Black Bears put together a stellar drive as Ferguson and the offense marched 82-yards in 4:58, ending with a 24-yard rushing score by Jefferson. A 28-yard third down strike from Ferguson to Edwards gave Maine a first down at the WM 44. Maine was faced with a 4th and 2 and was able to convert when Drew Belcher took the snap, carrying the ball 7-yards on the fake punt. Two plays later, Jefferson weaved his way down the sideline for the score as Maine regained the lead, 17-14, with 6:00 on the clock.

2Q | The Tribe looked to be driving for a late score in the closing minutes of the second period. Erick Robertson picked off William & Mary's Ted Hefter but the interception was negated by a roughing the passer call on the Black Bears. The drive continued down to the Maine 14 with 42-seconds left in the half. Hefter scrambled and was met by a crushing blow from Darrius Hart while Taji Lowe came around and stripped the ball. Lowe recovered the fumble at the Maine 4, ending the promising drive for the Tribe and sending Maine into the half with a 17-14 lead.

3Q | The Tribe knotted things at 17-17, completing a five play, 45-yard drive with a 36-yard field goal. Hefter's 43-yard pass to Muse carried the Tribe deep into Maine territory before Kris Hooper came on to hit the 36-yard field goal.

3Q | Maine looked to answer on its next drive as Edwards returned the kickoff 38-yards out to the Maine 40 before hauling in a 20-yard reception to the WM 40 on first down. Maine moved down to the WM 16 but an unsportsmanlike penalty on third down backed it up to the WM 31. Doak's 46-yard field goal attempt fell short as the game remained tied, 17-17.

4Q | William and Mary regained the lead when Jalen Christian recorded his first career touchdown on a 30-yard pass from Hefter with 14:17 remaining in regulation. The quick moving drive spanned eight plays and 69-yards in just 2:55.

4Q | On the fourth play of Maine's ensuing drive after the WM score, Ferguson was intercepted by Josh Dulaney. Dulaney returned the pick 12-yards down to the Maine 31. The turnover led to a 37-yard field goal by Hooper as the Tribe extended its lead to 27-17 with 10:17 to play.

4Q | The Black Bears were able to bring the game back to a one-score contest with 6:47 left. Ferguson hit four of his first five attempts on the drive, bringing Maine down to the WM 23. Two drops and an incomplete pass forced the field goal unit on where Doak was able to knock through a 40-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 27-20.

4Q | Following a three-and-out, the Black Bears regained possession at the WM 36. Two incompletions and a two-yard reception by Drew Belcher gave Maine a fourth and eight at the WM 34. Ferguson rolled out to his right and rifled a pass which was tipped and intercepted by Isaiah Laster at the Tribe 20. With no timeouts, WM was able to kneel the ball, securing a 27-20 victory.

The Black Bears return home to Alfond Stadium to host UAlbany on homecoming weekend in Orono on Saturday, Oct. 27. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. For tickets, call 207.581.BEAR or purchase online at GoBlackBears.com/tickets.

-UMaine-