Orono, Maine -- The No. 7 seed University of Maine football team makes its fourth appearance in the NCAA FCS Quarterfinals when it travels to meet No. 2 seed Weber State on Friday evening at Stewart Stadium live on ESPN2. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. MST, 8:00 p.m. EST.
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GAME STORYLINES:
- Maine and Weber State, of the Big Sky Conference, will meet for the first-time in history. Maine is 1-2 all-time against Big Sky member schools. The Black Bears dropped back-to-back season openers at Montana in 2003 and 2004 and defeated Northern Colorado, 38-0, in 2004. The Black Bears are 3-6 all-time on the road in the postseason and will be playing their first road playoff game since 2011. Maine's last playoff road win also came in 2011, a 34-12 first round victory at Appalachian State. Maine is looking to make it out of the quarterfinal round for the first time in school history (0-3).
- Maine advantage to the quarterfinals following a convincing 55-27 victory over Jacksonville State. The Black Bears re-wrote their postseason record book in the win, setting new marks for points (55), touchdown passes (5), sacks (4), and individual scoring (Edwards, 21). Ramon Jefferson rushed for a career-best 186-yards and two scores and Earnest Edwards posted three touchdowns, the third time in the last four games in which he has tallied two or more scores. Maine's 55 points were its highest scoring output of the season.
- Weber State, which has captured back-to-back Big Sky Conference titles, is making its third-straight postseason appearance. The Wildcats have won seven in a row after a 48-23 victory over Southeast Missouri State in the second round of the FCS Playoffs. Teshawn Garrett rushed for 134-yards and Jake Constantine threw four touchdowns to lead the Wildcats in the win.
- Maine, 8-0 on the season when it rushes for 100+ yards, continues to be impressive on the defensive side of the run. Maine ranks second in the nation in rush defense (74.5) and has held 10 of its 11 opponents under 100-yards rushing. The Black Bears' 44 team sacks rank second best in the nation.
- The Wildcats' strength is on the defensive end where they lead the Big Sky in points allowed (21.0), total defense (322.1) and rushing defense (123.4). Weber State ranks eighth in the nation with a +11 turnover margin and fourth in third down defense (27.0) while checking in fourth nationally with 39 sacks.
Tale of the Tape
| Maine (CAA Rank) |
Category |
Weber State (Big Sky Rank) |
| 27.4 (4) |
Points |
28.7 (5) |
| 343.4 (8) |
Total Offense |
325.3 (13) |
| 134.2 (6) |
Rushing Yards |
152.3 (12) |
| 209.2 (7) |
Passing Yards |
173.0 (11) |
| 15/23 |
Rushing TDs/Passing TDs |
19/17 |
| 31:44 (3) |
Offensive Time of Possession |
32:22 (3) |
| 21.6 (4) |
Points Allowed |
21.0 (1) |
| 295.3 (2) |
Total Defense |
322.1 (1) |
| 74.5 (1) |
Rushing Yards Allowed |
123.4 (1) |
| 220.8 (11) |
Passing Yards Allowed |
198.7 (3) |
| 10/19 |
Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed |
11/14 |
| 28:16 |
Defensive Time of Possession |
27:38 |
| +5 (4) |
Turnover Margin |
+11 (1) |
A MAINE WIN WOULD...
...Be Maine's first FCS Quarterfinal victory in school-history.
...Be Maine's fifth all-time NCAA FCS Playoff victory - (4-7)
...Be Maine's fourth NCAA FCS Playoff road win.
...Be Maine's first NCAA FCS Playoff road win since 2011.
...Be Maine's 10th overall win, its most since 2013 (10).
...Be Maine's first-ever win over Weber State (First meeting)
...Be Maine's seventh win over a ranked opponent this season (6-0).
...Be Maine's fifth road win, its most since 2013.
...Be Maine's sixth-straight victory, matching its longest win streak since 2013 (7).
...Be Maine's second win over a member of the Big Sky and first since Sept. 11, 2004.
SERIES/POSTSEASON NOTES:
Maine and Weber State meeting for the first time in history ... The Black Bears are 1-2 all-time against the Big Sky ... Maine defeated Northern Colorado (38-0) in Orono in 2004, fell to Montana on the road in 2004 (27-20) and dropped a home decision to Montana in 2003 (30-20) ... In terms of mileage, Maine's contest at Weber State will be its second-furthest game away from Orono in its history at 2,594 miles (2,791 to Missoula, Montana) ... Maine is 0-3 all-time in the FCS quarterfinal round ... The Black Bears' last trip to the quarters came in 2011, a 35-23 loss at Georgia Southern ... Prior to that, Maine dropped quarterfinal match-ups in 2002 at Georgia Southern (31-7) and in 2001 at Northern Iowa (56-28) ... Maine will be playing its eighth road game, its most since also playing eight back in 2011. Maine will be taking on its seventh ranked opponent of the year.
SEASON NOTES:
Racking up the awards
• Maine has received several postseason accolades.
•
Earnest Edwards (KR),
Kayon Whitaker (DL),
Sterling Sheffield (LB) and
Manny Patterson (CB) were named to the All-CAA first team.
• Edwards (WR),
Drew Belcher (TE),
Liam Dobson (OL),
Charles Mitchell (DL),
Deshawn Stevens (LB) and
Mozai Nelson (Specialst) were named to the All-CAA second team.
•
Micah Wright and
Cody Levy were named to the All-CAA third team.
• Edwards (KR), Patterson (CB) and Sheffield (LB) were named to the Division-I All-New England Team.
• Coach Harasymiak was named the CAA Coach of the Year, the New England Football Writers' Association Jack Grinold Coach of the Year, and a finalist for the STATS FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
•
Sterling Sheffield was named a finalist for the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the top defensive player in FCS.
• Def. Coordinator
Corey Hetherman was named the Gridiron Club of Boston Assistant Coach of the Year.
Back on top of the CAA
• For the first-time since 2013, Maine captured the outright CAA title. The title was Maine's 13th overall conference title, dating back to 1949.
• Maine received the automatic bid into the NCAA FCS Playoffs. The Black Bears, seeded No. 7 in the playoffs, are making their eighth NCAA playoff appearance.
The rush stops here
• Maine's defensive goals begin with stopping the run, and the Black Bears have surely done that in their first 12 outings. Maine ranks second in FCS and first in the CAA in rush defense (74.5 ypg).
• The Black Bears have allowed just 894-yards of rushing on 398 attempts. Maine's opponents are averaging just 2.2 yards per attempt which leads all of FCS.
• Maine has held 12 of its last 14 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 ninth nationally, allowing just 295.3 yards per game.
Defense in the Backfield
• Maine currently boasts three of the six CAA sacks leaders (Sheffield, Whitaker, D. Stevens).
•
Sterling Sheffield currently ranks tied for fourth in the CAA in total sacks (8.5), sacks per game (0.71) and is tied for third in total TFLs (14.5) and TFLs per game (1.21). He is tied for 29th in the league in tackles per game (6.1). Sheffield is 32nd in all of FCS with 0.71 sacks per game.
•
Deshawn Stevens has been equally as impressive in the offensive backfield. Stevens ranks sixth in the CAA in sacks per game (0.67) and is tied for third in the CAA in TFLs per game (1.21). His 14.5 TFLs rank tied for third best in the CAA. Stevens is third in the CAA in total tackles (103) and sixth in total sacks (8.0). He has tallied 10+ tackles in three games.
• Joining the duo in the backfield is
Kayon Whitaker who currently ranks tied for third in the league with 8.5 sacks after notching a career-best 3.0 sacks against UAlbany (10/27).
• Sheffield has at least one sack in nine of his last 16 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 8-0 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 the FCS Second Round when it rushed for 268-yards against Jacksonville State. Maine also went over 200-yards rushing in its season opener against New Hampshire (8/30).
Belcher Offensive Versatility
• Senior tight end
Drew Belcher is closing in on 500-yards receiving (342 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 2,350 total yards of offense.
Behind Enemy Lines
• Through 12 games, Maine has recorded 44 sacks. Maine leads the CAA in total sacks, eight more than second place New Hampshire.
• Maine checks in second in all of FCS with 3.67 sacks per game. The Black Bears are second in the nation with 44 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.
• 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 sixth 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 (16.6).
• Ferguson was named CFPA FCS National Performer of the Week after setting a new UMaine playoff mark with five touchdown passes against Jacksonville State.
Doak's Walk-Off Record Breakers
•
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 six ranked teams this season.
• 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, a fourth with a win at No. 15 Towson, wrapped up the regular season with win over No. 14 Elon and defeated No. 8 Jacksonville State in the FCS Second Round.
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).
• In the regular season finale against Elon, Edwards became the first Black Bear in history, and first CAA player, to return two kickoffs for touchdowns, taking back returns of 95 and 93-yards for scores in the win.
• Edwards currently ranks second in the CAA in receiving TDs (9), first in scoring TDs (13), fourth in all-purpose yards (115.5), sixth in receiving yards (722).
• Edwards leads the CAA in kick return average (28.4).
• Edwards has tallied two touchdowns in back-to-back-to-back-to-back games and has racked up 100+ receiving yards in three of his last five. Over Maine's last six outings, Edwards is averaging 4.8 catches, 89.7 receiving yards and has 10 total touchdowns (7 receiving, 2 kick returns, 1 rushing).
-UMaine-
