TOWSON, Md. -- Ramon Jefferson rushed for 121-yards and three touchdowns and No. 23 Maine's defense was able to keep No. 15 Towson out of the end zone on a late fourth and goal try to seal a 35-28 road victory. The win lifts Maine to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action as the Black Bears remain tied atop the CAA standings.

Trailing by seven with 1:31 on the clock, Towson lined up 3rd and goal at the Maine 2. The Black Bears were able to stuff the rushing attempt, knocking Towson back to the 4-yard line. Falling three timeouts, two by Towson, the Tigers handed the ball off to Shane Simpson. Simpson ran to the left, trying to gain the edge but was met by Sterling Sheffield who brought him down. The tackle turned the ball over to the Black Bears, who were able to kneel it out for their fifth league win.

Jefferson's career-high 121 yards and three scores helped guide Maine to 408 total yards of offense. Chris Ferguson finished the game 16-for-32 for 233-yards and a pair of scores, both going to Earnest Edwards. Edwards, who matched his career-high with a pair of touchdown receptions, tallied three catches for a game-high 74-yards. Drew Belcher and Micah Wright each added four catches.

Towson, which entered the game as the league's leading offense, was held to a season-low 367-yards. The Black Bears turned Towson over twice, with interceptions from Richard Carr and Sheffield. Jeff DeVaughn paced the 'Black Hole' defense with a game-high nine tackles while Sheffield chipped in six stops, one for loss. Following a three sack performance a week ago, Kayon Whitaker added two more sacks against the Tigers while Jaron Grayer and Alejandro Oregon each recorded sacks.

How it happened:

1Q | The Black Bears began the opening drive of the contest from their own 26. Jefferson took the first play from scrimmager 29-yards down to the Towson 45. The offense continued to drive as Ferguson lofted a pass to Andre Miller who extended above his defender and coming down with the catch along the sideline for a gain of 27 down to the Towson 7. On the next play, Ferguson zipped a pass to the corner of the end zone to Edwards for a 7-yard score.

2Q | On the first play of the second quarter, Ferguson worked out of play action before finding a streaking Edwards for a 46-yard touchdown. Edwards, who notched two touchdowns with his first two catches of the contest, matched a career-high for touchdowns in a single game with the reception.

2Q | Towson quickly answered with a touchdown just 41-seconds later. Tippett returned the kickoff 48-yards down to the Maine 36 where he was forced out of bounds. Tom Flacco's pass of 22-yards setup a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jabari Allen, cutting the Maine lead in half with 14:13 left in the half.

3Q | The Tigers took their opening drive of the second half 57-yards on 11 plays spanning 4:42. Towson maneuvered its offense into the Maine red zone where it setup first and 10 at the Maine 15. However, severe pressure by the Maine front seven, complete with impressive coverage in the secondary, held Towson to a field goal. Aiden O'Neill's 36-yard field goal brought the Tigers within 11 early in the third quarter.

3Q | Carr snatched Maine's second interception of the day, giving the Black Bears possession at the Towson 48. On first down, Ferguson dumped a pass off to Jaquan Blair, who sprinted ahead for a gain of 33 to the Towson 15. On 3rd and 10, Towson was flagged for pass interference in the end zone, moving the ball to the 2-yard line where Jefferson was able to take the carry and bounce outside for his second score of the day. The rushing touchdown gave Maine a 28-10 lead with 8:12 left in the third.

3Q | Towson responded on the ensuing drive as Flacco and the offense marched 58-yards on nine plays, ending with a 26-yard scoring pass and catch from Flacco to Shane Simpson. Flacco's completed the two-point conversion throw to Knudson, cutting Maine's lead to 10.

3Q | Towson's Vashon McCants intercepted Ferguson as the Tigers took over at their own 36. Two defensive penalties on the drive assisted Towson's offense as the Tigers carried the ball down to the Maine 21. However, the Black Bears' defense dug their heels in and held strong, forcing Towson to another field goal attempt. O'Neill was able to knock through his second of the game, this one from 38-yards, as the Tigers trimmed Maine's advantage to 28-21 entering the final quarter.

4Q | The Tigers were able to hold Maine to a three-and-out, forcing the Black Bears to punt. Towson's offense regained possession at its 34 where Flacco completed a pass for nine before rushing for 19 to the Maine 38. Simpson carried the ball to the 23 before the Black Bears were whistled for pass interference. The penalty set Towson up at the Maine 13. Three plays later, Flacco pitched the ball back to Simpson who scampered in for a 5-yard score to tie the game at 28-all.

4Q | The Black Bears began their next drive at their 30 following an unsportsmanlike penalty on Towson. Ferguson's pass attempt to Wright resulted in a defensive pass interference flag, moving Maine to the visitor 45. A 21-yard strike to Edwards and a 15-yard rush to Jefferson carried Maine to Towson's 24. Ferguson found Devin Young for 16-yards to the Towson 6. Two plays later, Jefferson rushed through the middle and looked to be stopped. However, Jefferson kept pushing and with a little help from his fellow Black Bears, he crossed the goal line for what would prove to be the winning score, 35-28.

Maine continues CAA road action on Saturday, Nov. 10 when it travels to Richmond. Kickoff for that contest is slated for 3 p.m. and can be seen on NBC Sports Washington and head worldwide over the Black Bear Sports Network.

-UMaine-