Saturday, October 6
Orono, ME
3:30 PM
University of Maine
vs
#19 Villanova University
#25 Football Returns Home to Host #19 Villanova in CAA Action
10/3/2018 9:26:00 PM | Football
Saturday's game presented by Hammond Lumber Company
ORONO, Maine -- The No. 25/25 University of Maine football team returns to Alfond Stadium when it hosts No. 19/19 Villanova on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 3:30 p.m., presented by Hammond Lumber Company. Tickets are available by calling 207.581.BEAR or online at GoBlackBears.com/tickets!
GAME STORYLINES:
| No. 25/25 University of Maine (2-2, 1-0 CAA) vs. No. 19/19 Villanova (3-2, 0-2 CAA) | |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Saturday, Oct. 6 | 3:30 p.m. - Buy Tickets Here! |
| Venue | Morse Field at Alfond Stadium |
| Watch | WVII/WPME/Fox College Sports - GoBlackBears.com - Presented by Quality Jewelers |
| Listen | 103.9 FM Bangor | 101.3 FM Augusta | 1310 AM Portland | 95.1 FM Rockland | 1450 AM Rockland | GoBlackBears.com | Tunein |
| Live Stats | StatBroadcast |
| Game Notes | UMaine | Villanova |
| @BlackBearsFB | #BearWitness | #BlackBearNation | #CAAFB | |
| Tickets | GoBlackBears.com/tickets |
| Tailgate | Tailgate Information | Tailgate Lot Map | Tailgate Overview Video |
GAME STORYLINES:
- Maine (2-2, 1-0 CAA) returns home for the first-time since Aug. 30 following a three-game road swing to face Villanova (3-2, 0-2 CAA) in a clash of two ranked CAA teams. A win for the Black Bears would give them a 2-0 home start for the second consecutive season.
- Maine and Villanova are meeting for the 22nd time. The Wildcats, who have won each of the last four meetings, enter play with a 12-9 edge in the all-time series. Maine is 5-5 at home in the series against Villanova. Villanova has won each of the last four meetings in Orono. Maine last victory at Alfond Stadium against Villanova came in 2006, a 20-7 triumph. Maine's last overall victory in the series came in 2013, a thrilling 37-35 road victory for the Black Bears. The two teams first met in 1988, a 20-17 Maine win on the road.
- Last weekend, the Black Bears dropped their final non-conference contest of the season, 35-14, at Yale. Maine fell behind 21-0 before Isaiah Robinson tossed his first career touchdown, a 50-yard strike to Earnest Edwards. Robinson would tack on another score, this time a 63-yard pass to Jaquan Blair, but it would not be enough.
- The Wildcats were unable to hold on to their 21-0 advantage in their most recent meeting at Stony Brook. The Seawolves tallied 29 unanswered points, coming from behind to defeat Villanova, 29-27.
Maine (CAA Rank) Category Villanova (CAA Rank)
21.2 (10) Points 32.2 (4)
326.8 (9) Total Offense 461.6 (2)
128.0 (6) Rushing Yards 170.2 (5)
198.8 (9) Passing Yards 291.4 (3)
2/8 Rushing TDs / Passing TDs 9/14
32:03 (2) Offensive Time of Possession 32:02 (3)
21.8 (6) Points Allowed 21.4 (5)
267.5 (2) Total Defense 302.8 (4)
53.0 (1) Rushing Yards Allowed 97.6 (3)
214.5 (8) Passing Yards Allowed 205.2 (6)
3/8 Rushing / Passing TDs Allowed 4/8
27:57 Defensive Time of Possession 27:58
+4 (T-3) Turnover Margin +1 (T-7)
A UMAINE WIN WOULD...
...Be Maine's tenth all-time against Villanova.
...Be Maine's first over the Wildcats since 2013.
...Snap a four-game losing skid against Villanova.
...Be Maine's first win in the series at home since 2006.
...Snap a four-game home losing skid against Villanova.
...Give Maine a 2-0 start in CAA play for the first time since 2013.
...Give Maine a 2-0 home start for the second consecutive season.
...Be Maine's second win of the season over a ranked opponent.
...Be the first time since 2013 that Maine has defeated two or more ranked opponents in a season.
...Be Coach Harasymiak's third win over a ranked opponent (#17 UAlbany - 2016, #7 UNH - 2018).
SERIES NOTES:
Maine and Villanova will meet for the 22nd time ... Villanova currently holds a 12-9 advantage in the all-time series ... The Wildcats have won each of the last four meetings, including a 31-0 triumph last season at Villanova ... Maine is 5-5 all-time at home against Villanova ... Villanova has won each of the last four meetings in Orono ... Maine's last victory over Villanova came in 2013, a 37-35 road win by the Black Bears ... Maine's last home victory in the series came in 2006 (20-7) ... The first-ever meeting between the two teams came in 1988, a 20-17 road win by the Black Bears ... From 2001-2006, Maine won four-straight ... This will be the first meeting between the two teams when each has been ranked since 2013.
SEASON NOTES:
The rush stops here
• Maine's defensive goals begin with stopping the run, and the Black Bears have surely done that in their first four outings. Maine leads the CAA, and ranks second in FCS, in rush defense (53.0 ypg).
• The Black Bears have allowed just 212-yards of rushing on 144 attempts. Maine's opponents are averaging just 1.5 yards per attempt on the ground, first in the CAA and tops in FCS.
• Maine has held each of its last six opponents to 100-yards rushing or fewer. Three of those opponents have been FBS member schools.
• In total defense, Maine checks in second in the CAA and eighth nationally, allowing just 267.5 yards per game.
Sheffield in the Backfield
• Sterling Sheffield currently leads the CAA in total sacks (5.5), sacks per game (1.38), total TFLs (8.0) and TFLs per game (2.00). He is tied for 11th in the league in tackles per game (7.8).
• Sheffield is sixth in all of FCS in TFLs per game and fourth in sacks per game.
• Almost 30% (26.8%) of Sheffield's tackles thus far have been TFLs (8.0/31).
• Twice this season, Sheffield has matched a career-high with 3.0 TFLs (vs. UNH, at CMU).
Turnover Margin
• As a team, Maine is tied for 11th in FCS and leads the CAA with just three turnovers this season.
• Maine +1 turnover margin is second best in the CAA and 15th nationally.
Belcher Offensive Versatility
• Senior tight end Drew Belcher is closing in on 500-yards receiving (329 yards).
• If he reaches the mark, Belcher will have 500+ yards of rushing (637), passing (1,517) and receiving for his career. Belcher currently has racked up 2,154 total yards of offense.
Behind Enemy Lines
• Through four games, Maine has recorded 18.0 sacks. Maine leads the CAA in total sacks, four more than second place Richmond (14.0) who has played one more game.
• Maine checks in second in all of FCS with 4.5 sacks per game. The Black Bears are fourth in the nation with 18.0 total sacks. However, the three teams in front of Maine have played one more game than the Black Bears.
• The Black Bears tallied 12.0 TFLs, including 6.0 sacks, in their opener against UNH. Maine's 6.0 sacks were its most since also tallying 6.0 against Rhode Island on Sept. 26, 2015.
• Maine has five players ranked in the top-12 in the CAA in sacks per game.
• Seven Black Bears recorded at least a half TFL in the win over UNH, with four notching 2.0+.
• Maine's 6.0 sacks against UNH were its most since also notching 6.0 against Rhode Island on Sept. 25, 2016. The 12.0 TFLs were Maine's most since a 12.0 performance on Aug. 30, 2014 against Norfolk St.
• Maine added 6.0 sacks, and 7.0 TFLs, in its win at Western Kentucky.
• The Black Bears currently rank seventh in FCS and first in the CAA with 8.8 TFLs per game.
Ball Security
• The Black Bears are one of only 12 teams in all of FCS who have not lost a fumble in 2018.
• The Black Bears have not lost a fumble in six games, dating back to a contest against Delaware on Nov. 4, 2017.
Win Back the Musket
• The Black Bears opened the season with a convincing 35-7 victory over rival #7 New Hampshire. The win snapped an eight-game losing skid against UNH, returning the coveted Brice-Cowell musket back to Orono.
• In week one, Maine posted the most total yards of any CAA school (454.0) while also posting the lowest defensive yards effort (108), including holding UNH to an impressive -15.0 rush yards.
• Chris Ferguson was highly efficient in the season opener, going 21-for-31 (68%). The completion percentage was the highest of Ferguson's career and marked his fifth game of completing 60%+ of his passes.
Rushing offense
• As a unit, the Black Bears have won the rushing battle in eight of their last 10 games.
• Maine's two-headed rushing attack of Joe Fitzpatrick and Ramon Jefferson rank ninth and 10th, respectively, in the CAA in rush yards per game - 60.8 and 55.2
• Jefferson checks in third in the CAA at 5.53 yards per carry.
High-ranking victories
• Maine opened 2018 by knocking off #7 New Hampshire, snapping an eight-game losing skid against the Wildcats.
• The win was Maine's first over a ranked opponent since knocking off #17 UAlbany, 20-14, on Oct. 15, 2017.
• The victory also came against the highest ranking team since Maine beat #7 James Madison and #6 Delaware in back-to-back weeks back in 2011.
• In game two, Maine fell behind 21-0 in the first 5:03 of game action at Western Kentucky. The Black Bears rattled off 31-unanswered points and blocked a game-tying field goal try with 47-seconds left to secure their third-ever win over an FBS opponent.
• The win over WKU was Maine's third-ever win over an FBS opponent and its first since defeating UMass in 2013.
-UMaine-
21.2 (10) Points 32.2 (4)
326.8 (9) Total Offense 461.6 (2)
128.0 (6) Rushing Yards 170.2 (5)
198.8 (9) Passing Yards 291.4 (3)
2/8 Rushing TDs / Passing TDs 9/14
32:03 (2) Offensive Time of Possession 32:02 (3)
21.8 (6) Points Allowed 21.4 (5)
267.5 (2) Total Defense 302.8 (4)
53.0 (1) Rushing Yards Allowed 97.6 (3)
214.5 (8) Passing Yards Allowed 205.2 (6)
3/8 Rushing / Passing TDs Allowed 4/8
27:57 Defensive Time of Possession 27:58
+4 (T-3) Turnover Margin +1 (T-7)
A UMAINE WIN WOULD...
...Be Maine's tenth all-time against Villanova.
...Be Maine's first over the Wildcats since 2013.
...Snap a four-game losing skid against Villanova.
...Be Maine's first win in the series at home since 2006.
...Snap a four-game home losing skid against Villanova.
...Give Maine a 2-0 start in CAA play for the first time since 2013.
...Give Maine a 2-0 home start for the second consecutive season.
...Be Maine's second win of the season over a ranked opponent.
...Be the first time since 2013 that Maine has defeated two or more ranked opponents in a season.
...Be Coach Harasymiak's third win over a ranked opponent (#17 UAlbany - 2016, #7 UNH - 2018).
SERIES NOTES:
Maine and Villanova will meet for the 22nd time ... Villanova currently holds a 12-9 advantage in the all-time series ... The Wildcats have won each of the last four meetings, including a 31-0 triumph last season at Villanova ... Maine is 5-5 all-time at home against Villanova ... Villanova has won each of the last four meetings in Orono ... Maine's last victory over Villanova came in 2013, a 37-35 road win by the Black Bears ... Maine's last home victory in the series came in 2006 (20-7) ... The first-ever meeting between the two teams came in 1988, a 20-17 road win by the Black Bears ... From 2001-2006, Maine won four-straight ... This will be the first meeting between the two teams when each has been ranked since 2013.
SEASON NOTES:
The rush stops here
• Maine's defensive goals begin with stopping the run, and the Black Bears have surely done that in their first four outings. Maine leads the CAA, and ranks second in FCS, in rush defense (53.0 ypg).
• The Black Bears have allowed just 212-yards of rushing on 144 attempts. Maine's opponents are averaging just 1.5 yards per attempt on the ground, first in the CAA and tops in FCS.
• Maine has held each of its last six opponents to 100-yards rushing or fewer. Three of those opponents have been FBS member schools.
• In total defense, Maine checks in second in the CAA and eighth nationally, allowing just 267.5 yards per game.
Sheffield in the Backfield
• Sterling Sheffield currently leads the CAA in total sacks (5.5), sacks per game (1.38), total TFLs (8.0) and TFLs per game (2.00). He is tied for 11th in the league in tackles per game (7.8).
• Sheffield is sixth in all of FCS in TFLs per game and fourth in sacks per game.
• Almost 30% (26.8%) of Sheffield's tackles thus far have been TFLs (8.0/31).
• Twice this season, Sheffield has matched a career-high with 3.0 TFLs (vs. UNH, at CMU).
Turnover Margin
• As a team, Maine is tied for 11th in FCS and leads the CAA with just three turnovers this season.
• Maine +1 turnover margin is second best in the CAA and 15th nationally.
Belcher Offensive Versatility
• Senior tight end Drew Belcher is closing in on 500-yards receiving (329 yards).
• If he reaches the mark, Belcher will have 500+ yards of rushing (637), passing (1,517) and receiving for his career. Belcher currently has racked up 2,154 total yards of offense.
Behind Enemy Lines
• Through four games, Maine has recorded 18.0 sacks. Maine leads the CAA in total sacks, four more than second place Richmond (14.0) who has played one more game.
• Maine checks in second in all of FCS with 4.5 sacks per game. The Black Bears are fourth in the nation with 18.0 total sacks. However, the three teams in front of Maine have played one more game than the Black Bears.
• The Black Bears tallied 12.0 TFLs, including 6.0 sacks, in their opener against UNH. Maine's 6.0 sacks were its most since also tallying 6.0 against Rhode Island on Sept. 26, 2015.
• Maine has five players ranked in the top-12 in the CAA in sacks per game.
• Seven Black Bears recorded at least a half TFL in the win over UNH, with four notching 2.0+.
• Maine's 6.0 sacks against UNH were its most since also notching 6.0 against Rhode Island on Sept. 25, 2016. The 12.0 TFLs were Maine's most since a 12.0 performance on Aug. 30, 2014 against Norfolk St.
• Maine added 6.0 sacks, and 7.0 TFLs, in its win at Western Kentucky.
• The Black Bears currently rank seventh in FCS and first in the CAA with 8.8 TFLs per game.
Ball Security
• The Black Bears are one of only 12 teams in all of FCS who have not lost a fumble in 2018.
• The Black Bears have not lost a fumble in six games, dating back to a contest against Delaware on Nov. 4, 2017.
Win Back the Musket
• The Black Bears opened the season with a convincing 35-7 victory over rival #7 New Hampshire. The win snapped an eight-game losing skid against UNH, returning the coveted Brice-Cowell musket back to Orono.
• In week one, Maine posted the most total yards of any CAA school (454.0) while also posting the lowest defensive yards effort (108), including holding UNH to an impressive -15.0 rush yards.
• Chris Ferguson was highly efficient in the season opener, going 21-for-31 (68%). The completion percentage was the highest of Ferguson's career and marked his fifth game of completing 60%+ of his passes.
Rushing offense
• As a unit, the Black Bears have won the rushing battle in eight of their last 10 games.
• Maine's two-headed rushing attack of Joe Fitzpatrick and Ramon Jefferson rank ninth and 10th, respectively, in the CAA in rush yards per game - 60.8 and 55.2
• Jefferson checks in third in the CAA at 5.53 yards per carry.
High-ranking victories
• Maine opened 2018 by knocking off #7 New Hampshire, snapping an eight-game losing skid against the Wildcats.
• The win was Maine's first over a ranked opponent since knocking off #17 UAlbany, 20-14, on Oct. 15, 2017.
• The victory also came against the highest ranking team since Maine beat #7 James Madison and #6 Delaware in back-to-back weeks back in 2011.
• In game two, Maine fell behind 21-0 in the first 5:03 of game action at Western Kentucky. The Black Bears rattled off 31-unanswered points and blocked a game-tying field goal try with 47-seconds left to secure their third-ever win over an FBS opponent.
• The win over WKU was Maine's third-ever win over an FBS opponent and its first since defeating UMass in 2013.
-UMaine-
Players Mentioned
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