Orono, Maine -- Earnest Edwards returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns to help lift No. 16/19 Maine to a 27-26 victory over No. 14/12 Elon on Saturday afternoon at Alfond Stadium. With the victory, the Black Bears locked up their first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) outright championship since 2013.

Maine, which finished the year 8-3 overall and 7-1 in league play, locked up the CAA's automatic bid and will await to hear its postseason fate, which will be announced during Sunday's NCAA FCS Selection Show, airing live at 12:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

The Black Bears completed the regular season with five wins over ranked opponents and a victory over Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent Western Kentucky. Maine, which ended the year a perfect 4-0 at home, wrapped up the regular season with its most league wins (7) since 2013.

Edwards, who on Saturday tallied kickoff return scores of 95 and 93-yards, became just the first Black Bear in history to notch a pair of kickoff return touchdowns in the same game. For the junior, it was his third and fourth career kickoff return touchdowns.

Despite being outgained 432-234 by the Phoenix, Maine's Black Hole defense came up with several big stops when it mattered most. Maine forced two fumbles and tallied an interception on the day. It's 'bend don't break' mindset helped in keeping Elon out of the endzone as the Black Bears limited Elon to field goals on four key drives. Individually on defense it was Deshawn Stevens who shined as the sophomore linebacker totaled a career-high 16 tackles with a sack. Alejandro Oregon and Erick Robertson each forced a fumble while Taji Lowe and Sterling Sheffield assisted on the tackling front with 10 and nine stops, respectively.

Ramon Jefferson posted his second 100+ yard rushing performance of the year to lead the offense, racking up a career-best 130-yards on a career-high 25 carries.

With Elon driving deep in Maine territory in the first quarter, the Black Hole defense came up with a key turnover when Robertson forced a fumble which was recovered by Jamehl Wiley on the Elon 15. Chris Ferguson and the offense went to work. Ferguson found Drew Belcher three times on the drive, including a big 17-yard pickup to midfield. Shortly after, Ferguson found Belcher for a gain of five, carrying Maine to the Elon 1. On the first play of the second quarter, the handoff went to Belcher who crossed the goal line as the Black Bears took a 7-0 lead.

The Phoenix answered with 3:45 left in the half. Taking advantage of a Maine interception, Elon marched down the field to the Black Bears' 10-yard line. Maine's defense continued to fight, with big pass deflections from Manny Patterson and Sheffield in the end zone. However, on third and goal, the Black Bears were whistled for a pass interference, placing the ball on the 2-yard line where Brelynd Cyphers rushed in for the score, tying the game at 7-7.

Edwards quickly turned the table on the ensuing kickoff as he slashed through the coverage, sprinting 95-yards for the score as Maine would regain a seven point edge.

Maine forced a three-and-out on Elon's next drive but the Black Bears would give it back after Isaiah Robinson, who replaced an injured Ferguson, was intercepted at the Maine 49 with 20-seconds left. Elon maneuvered quickly down the field before Skyler Davis' 40-yard field goal cut the deficit to four. Maine would enter the half with a 14-10 advantage.

The Phoenix began the second half with an onside kick, which was recovered at the Elon 45 by the Black Bears. Maine moved the ball to the Phoenix 27 where Kenny Doak came on and hit a 44-yard field goal to put Maine up, 17-10.

Elon answered with another field goal, this one from 39-yards before Edwards again showed how dangerous he can be on kickoff. Elon elected to once again kick to the junior who gathered at the Maine 7 before hitting the hole and taking the return 93-yards to the house. Edwards' fourth career kickoff return for a score gave the Black Bears a 24-13 lead with 10:13 left in the third.

Maine's defense kept the pressure on, forcing another three-and-out. Elon's punt was blocked by Daniel Rymer and Maine recovered at the Elon 30. A 23-yard rush from Jefferson brought the ball to the Elon 7. Two plays later, Doak's 19-yard field goal extended Maine's lead to 27-13.

The Phoenix made it a one score game when Daniel Thompson hit Cole Taylor for a 32-yard touchdown.

Early in the fourth, following another Maine interception, Elon's Davis was able to hit a 32-yard field goal as Elon clawed back to within four with 10:23 remaining.

Four runs from Jefferson and another by Adrian Velez on Maine's next drive brought the Black Bears to the Elon 44 where they would face a 4th and one. Jefferson was stopped for no gain and Elon would take over on downs.

Elon marched down to the Maine 20 where, on third down, Stevens came up with a big sack, stopping momentum and forcing Elon to try a 44-yard field goal. Davis would hit his fourth field goal as Maine clung to a 27-26 advantage.

Maine took 1:21 off the clock but was forced to punt, giving Elon the ball at the Elon 47 with 3:05 left. On third and 12, Jaron Grayer stepped in front of a pass, hauling in the interception. However, on the return, Grayer would fumble and Elon recovered. The play was reviewed and the call would stand as Elon would have new life and a first down on its own 39. The Phoenix moved the ball down to the Maine 42 where they were faced with a 4th and five. Sheffield came up with the big play on the rush as the senior was able to get a hand on the pass, deflecting it incomplete.

The Black Bears took over on downs and settled into victory formation, sealing the 27-26 victory and a CAA regular season title.

Maine, who will make its eighth NCAA postseason appearance, will learn its next opponent on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. during the NCAA FCS Selection Show.

-UMaine-