Orono, Maine -- The No. 7 seeded University of Maine football team (9-3) jumped out to an early 21-0 lead in Saturday's NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Second Round contest and never looked back, defeating No. 8/9 Jacksonville State, 55-27 at Alfond Stadium. The victory marked Maine's first-ever home playoff victory and will advance the Black Bears to the FCS Quarterfinals for the fourth time and first since 2011.

Maine moves on to play the No. 2 seed Weber State in Ogden, Utah on Friday, Dec. 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET live on ESPN2.

The Black Bears added 21 points in the second quarter, entering the half with a 42-14 advantage; marking the highest single-half scoring total in Maine playoff history.

Chris Ferguson threw for five touchdowns and Ramon Jefferson added a career-best 186-yards on the ground and two scores as the Black Bears racked up 427 total yards on the afternoon. Ferguson's five touchdowns marked a new single-game playoff high for the Black Bears while Jefferson's rush yardage was Maine's second-highest playoff total. Maine's 55 points were its highest playoff point total in eight postseason appearances.

Earnest Edwards found the end zone on three occasions; twice through the air and once on the ground Jaquan Blair, Micah Wright and Drew Belcher rounded out Maine's touchdown receptions. Wright, who finished the game with three receptions, moved into fifth in Maine's record book with 163 career receptions. As a whole, the offense was extremely efficient inside the 20, posting a perfect 6-for-6 showing in the red zone. The Black Bears rushed for 268-yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry to match a single-game school playoff high.

The Black Hole limited Jacksonville State to a dismal 1-for-14 effort on third down and held the Gamecocks to a 2-for-6 showing on fourth. Maine racked up four team sacks, another playoff school record, while forcing three turnovers. Deshawn Stevens led all players with a game-high 10 tackles, his fourth double-digit tackling performance of the season. Kayon Whitaker and Mozai Nelson each tallied a sack and a forced fumble while Erick Robertson snatched the game's only interception.

Maine's hot scoring start was setup by an early JSU turnover. On the Gamecocks' first drive, Whitaker forced a strip sack and Maine would recover on the JSU 4. On the next play, Ferguson lofted a pass to Blair for the first score of the afternoon. The touchdown began a streak which saw Maine score on three consecutive drives.

On their next possession, a 20-yard reception by Julian Dunn set the Black Bears up at the JSU 41 before Ferguson found Edwards for a 41-yard score.

The Gamecocks, facing a fourth and 1 at their own 47, made the call to go for it late in the first quarter. Jeff DeVaughn met the JSU rusher on the edge before Stevens and Taji Lowe finished the play, stopping the play short of the yard to gain and turning it over to Maine at the JSU 47.

Ferguson and the offense would capitalize, moving quick down to the JSU 27 on a 20-yard strike to Wright. A defensive pass interference penalty setup Maine at the 13 before Jefferson picked up nine more to the 4-yard line. Ferguson and Edwards connected again for the touchdown, this time a 4-yard reception, to put Maine on top, 21-0. The score marked Edwards' third time in his last four in which he's tallied two touchdown receptions.

JSU was able to get on the board with 1:12 left in the period when Zerrick Cooper found Jamari Hester for a 36-yard touchdown.

The Gamecocks clawed back to make it a one score game when Cooper's first down pass found Hester who managed to get outside, sprint 70-yards down field for his second score of the game.

The Black Bears responded with 21-unanswered points to end the half.

Jefferson's 42-yard pickup moved Maine to the JSU 20 where Ferguson hooked up with Wright for the score. The reception marked Wright's 21st touchdown catch of his career.

Nelson's strip-sack on JSU's ensuing possession was recovered by Sterling Sheffield as Maine took over at the JSU 15. Jefferson again set Maine up for a score, taking the second down carry to the one before Edwards' rushing score lifted Maine to a 35-14 lead.

Another huge defensive stop, this one coming from Stevens and Lowe on fourth and goal at the Maine 1, put the ball back in Maine's control with 5:04 left in the half. Ferguson and the offense went to work, orchestrating an eight play, 99-yard drive over 3:22 capped by a 24-yard score from Jefferson.

A lengthy, 12-play drive from the Gamecocks began the second. The drive stalled at the Maine 13 where Cade Stinnett hit a 30-yard field goal with 11:44 left in the third.

Maine again had the answer, punching in another score on its next drive. Ferguson worked the ball to Belcher for 15-yards to the Maine 40. Joe Fitzpatrick picked up 21 down to the JSU 9 before a little trickery was on display for the Black Bears. On third and goal at the JSU 3, Ferguson pretended to lose the handle of the snap before lobbing a pass over the defense to Belcher. The touchdown extended Maine's lead out to 49-17.

Cooper's 1-yard rushing score with 1:48 left in the period answered Maine's scoring drive as the game would enter the final quarter with Maine on top, 49-24.

The Black Hole again shut down JSU on a fourth and goal attempt. Nelson's pass breakup on on fourth and 3 turned it back over to Maine at the Black Bears' 28 with 6:46 to play.

Maine took it to the ground to chew up clock on its next drive. Jefferson's gains of 14 and 30-yards came before a 19-yard Fitzpatrick carry brought the Black Bears to the JSU 12 before Jefferson would eventually punch it in from the one. The score put Maine up 55-27.

Another key defensive play officially put the game away as Robertson came up with an interception, returning it 26-yards down to the JSU 36. Maine settled into victory formation to seal the 55-27 victory and the first home playoff win in school history.

-UMaine-