Orono, Maine -- The outright Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship is on the line Saturday at noon at Alfond Stadium when No. 16/19 Maine hosts No. 14/12 Elon. With a win, the Black Bears (7-3, 6-1) lock up their first outright conference championship since 2013 and their 13th overall conference title dating back to 1949.
Tickets are available at
GoBlackBears.com/tickets or by calling 207.581.BEAR! Prior to the game, Maine will recognize its Senior Class who will be appearing in their final regular season game at Alfond Stadium.
MILITARY APPRECIATION, PRESENTED BY DEAD RIVER COMPANY:
The University of Maine athletic department is proud to once again bring to our service men and women its Military Appreciation Series, presented by Dead River Company, beginning with Saturday's game against Elon. This partnership, in its fourth year, will provide the opportunity for the Black Bears to honor our military men and women at athletic events over the course of the 2018-19 season. A major component of the Military Appreciation Series partnership with Dead River Company is to provide all military personnel, veterans and their immediate family members with complimentary tickets to each of the selected games.
Military personnel and veterans with proper identification are asked to call the ticket office at 207-581-BEAR to reserve complimentary tickets for themselves and their immediate family members. Ticket(s) may also be picked up by visiting the UMaine Athletic Ticket Office, located in Alfond Arena.
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GAME STORYLINES:
- Maine and Elon (6-3, 4-2) clash for just the third time in history as the Phoenix are the newest CAA members, joining the league in 2014. Maine is 1-1 all-time against Elon, winning the first-ever meeting back in 2014 by a final of 24-14. The away team has come away victorious in the two meetings, Maine in 2014 on the road before Elon won the most recent meeting (2015), 27-22. In Maine's win, Drew Belcher threw for 191-yards and two touchdowns while adding 91-rush yards. Micah Wright recorded two touchdown receptions in the 2015 meeting.
- Last weekend, the Black Bears built a 21-3 halftime lead and cruised to a 28-9 win at Richmond. Chris Ferguson tossed four touchdowns, two going to Earnest Edwards, as Maine clinched at least a share of the CAA crown. Maine's current win total (7) is its most since a 10-win season in 2013.
- Defense has been key all season for the Black Bears. Entering the final weekend of the regular season, Maine ranks 11th in the nation in third down defense (28.9%), 2nd in rush defense (65.4), third in total defense (263.5), and third in team sacks (3.8).
- Elon is coming off a 41-10 loss at home to Towson and enter Orono at 2-2 overall on the road this season. The Pheonix feature one of the countries top rushing attacks, led by the trio of Jaylan Thomas (658 yds), Malcolm Summers (591) and De'Sean McNair (373) Between the three, they have recorded 13 rushing touchdowns. The Phoenix are tops in the CAA in turnover margin (+10), with only six offensive turnovers this season.
- This weekend's contest will be focused on the ground, pitting the CAA's top rushing defense (Maine - 65.4 ypg) against the CAA's top rushing offense (Elon - 221.2 ypg).
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TALE OF THE TAPE
| Maine (CAA rank) |
Category |
Elom (CAA rank) |
| 24.7 (7) |
Points |
26.1 (6) |
| 346.0 (8) |
Total Offense |
379.6 (4) |
| 119.5 (7) |
Rushing Yards |
221.2 (1) |
| 226.5 (6) |
Passing Yards |
158.3 (12) |
| 32:04 (2) |
Offensive Time of Possession |
30:53 (4) |
| 263.5 (1) |
Total Defense |
372.4 (9) |
| 65.4 (1) |
Rushing Yards Allowed |
147.9 (8) |
| 11/18 |
Rushing TDs/Passing TDs |
20/6 |
| 198.1 (6) |
Passing Yards Allowed |
224.6 (10) |
| 8/16 |
Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed |
12/15 |
| 27:56 |
Defensive Time of Possession |
29:07 |
| +4 (T-4) |
Turnover Margin |
+10 (1) |
| 20.6 (4) |
Points Allowed |
23.8 (7) |
A UMAINE WIN WOULD...
...Clinch the outright CAA title.
...Clinch Maine's first conference outright title since 2013.
...Clinch Maine's eighth NCAA playoff bid.
...Be Maine's third win over Elon.
...Be Maine's first win over Elon since 2014.
...Be Maine's first-ever win over Elon in Orono.
...Give Maine an undefeated regular season home record (4-0) for the first time since 2013.
...Match Maine's most conference wins since also capturing seven in 2013.
...Be Maine's fourth-straight victory, its longest win streak since 2016 (5).
SERIES NOTES:
Maine and Elon are meeting for the third time in history and the first time since 2015 ... The two teams first met in 2014, Elon's first year as a member of the CAA ... Maine is 1-1 all-time against Elon ... The Black Bears were victorious against Elon in 2014, a 24-14 win at Elon ... Elon won the most recent meeting (2015) by a final of 27-22 in Orono ... The visiting team has won each previous meeting ...
Micah Wright recorded two touchdown receptions in the 2015 contest ... In the 2014 win, then quarterback
Drew Belcher threw for 191-yards and two touchdowns while adding 91-rushing yards in Maine's win.
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 10 outings. Maine ranks second in FCS and first in the CAA in rush defense (65.4).
• The Black Bears have allowed just 654-yards of rushing on 328 attempts. Maine's opponents are averaging just 2.0 yards per attempt on the ground, first in the CAA and second in FCS.
• Maine has held 11 of its last 12 opponents to 100-yards rushing or fewer. The streak of 10-straight was broke at Towson (156 yds). Three of those opponents have been FBS member schools.
• In total defense, Maine checks in first in the CAA and third nationally, allowing just 263.5 yards per game.
Defense in the Backfield
• Maine currently boasts three of the five CAA sacks leaders (Sheffield, Whitaker, D. Stevens).
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Sterling Sheffield currently leads the CAA in total sacks (8.5), sacks per game (0.85) and is tied for fourth in total TFLs (12.0) and TFLs per game (1.20). He is tied for 27th in the league in tackles per game (6.0). Sheffield is 14th in all of FCS with 0.85 sacks per game.
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Deshawn Stevens has been equally as impressive in the offensive backfield. Stevens ranks fifth in the CAA in sacks per game (0.70) and is second in the CAA in TFLs per game (1.25). His 12.5 TFLs rank second best in the CAA. Stevens is tied for eighth in the CAA in total tackles (77) and fifth in total sacks (7.0)
• Joining the duo in the backfield is
Kayon Whitaker who currently ranks fourth in the league with 7.5 sacks after notching a career-best 3.0 sacks against UAlbany (10/27).
• Sheffield has at least one sack in nine of his last 14 outings.
• Twice this season, Sheffield has matched a career-high with 3.0 TFLs (vs. UNH, at CMU).
• Twice this season Stevens has matched a career-high with 2.5 TFLs.
Rushing for 100+ is positive
 • The Black Bears are 6-0 this season when rushing for 100+ yards and 1-3 when they're held under 100 rush yards.
 • Maine's highest rushing output of the season came in its opener when it rushed for 203-yards against New Hampshire (8/30).
Belcher Offensive Versatility
• Senior tight end
Drew Belcher is closing in on 500-yards receiving (370 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 2,286 total yards of offense.
Behind Enemy Lines
• Through 10 games, Maine has recorded 38 sacks. Maine leads the CAA in total sacks, six more than second place Elon.
• Maine checks in third in all of FCS with 3.80 sacks per game. The Black Bears are third in the nation with 38 total sacks.
• 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 three players ranked in the top-5 in the CAA in sacks per game. (Sheffield, D. Stevens, Whitaker)
• 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 11th in FCS and first in the CAA with 8.2 TFLs per game.
Ferguson Efficient
 •
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. His 59.0% completion percentage is 4th best in the CAA while his 208.4 yards per game are third best.
 • Ferguson finished Maine's win at Rhode Island with 30 completions. The completion total was Maine's highest since 2012 when Marcus Wasilewski completed 31 against Villanova.
• Ferguson matched his career-high in passing yards (278) in back-to-back games at Rhode Island (10/13) and at William & Mary (10/20).
• Ferguson currently ranks second in the CAA in completions per game (18.5).
• Ferguson has stretched his streak of throwing for 200+ yards to five straight games.
Doak's Walk-Off Record Breakers
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Kenny Doak's 52-yard, record-tying field goal as time expired lifted the Black Bears over No. 19 Villanova, 13-10.
• The 52-yard kick matched Maine's all-time long field goal. The previous record kick was set by Jack Leggett against Delaware in 1975.
• For his efforts, Doak was awarded the CAA Co-Special Teams Player of the Week.
• A week after hitting the 52-yarder, Doak knocked through a 39-yarder as time expired to beat No. 16 Rhode Island, 38-36.
High-ranking victories
•Maine has defeated four ranked teams this season - the most it has defeated in one season since also knocking off four in 2011.
• 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.
• The Black Bears added their second win over a ranked opponent when they defeated No. 19 Villanova, tacked on a third with a victory over No. 16 Rhode Island and a fourth with a win at No. 15 Towson.
Electric Ernie
•
Earnest Edwards set a new Maine mark with 326 all-purpose yards (196 receiving, 126 kick return, 4 rush) at William & Mary (10/20).
• Edwards currently ranks second in the CAA in receiving TDs (7), fourth in all-purpose yards (114.0), fifth in receiving yards (673).
• Edwards has tallied two touchdowns in back-to-back games and has racked up 100+ receiving yards in three of his last four. Over Maine's last four outings, Edwards is averaging six catches and 122.3 receiving yards.
• Edwards is the first Maine receiver to record 2+ receiving TDs in back-to-back games since Kevin McMahan (2005).
• Edwards notched 100+ receiving performances in back-to-back games (196 at W&M, 114 vs. UAlbany), the first to do so since
Micah Wright accomplished the feat in 2015.
Manny's PBU
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Manny Patterson leads the CAA in total pass breakups (16) and pass breakups per game (1.6) - ranking fourth nationally in PBUs per game.
 • Patterson, who notched his first career interception earlier this season against Villanova, has recorded at least one PBU in nine of Maine's 10 games including each of the last seven.
 • Five times this season he has tallied 2+ PBUs.
Micah Wright climbing the charts
• Fifth-year wide receiver
Micah Wright looks to continue to climb up Maine's all-time receiver rankings.
• Wright ranks 6th on Maine's all-time receiving yards list with 2,143 total yards. He stands just 40-yards behind Steve Roth for 5th all-time (2,183).
• Wright ranks just one reception behind Phil McGeoghan for sixth on Maine's all-time receptions list (161), two behind Damarr Aultman for fifth (162) and nine behind Dwayne Wilmot (169) for fourth.
• In 2015, Wright caught 61 passes for 818 yards. His 61 receptions rank tied for 9th on Maine's single-season all-time list while the 818-yards are tied for 10th all-time.
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