New Haven, CT -- The No. 16 University of Maine football team (2-2, 1-0 CAA) dropped its final non-conference contest of the season at Yale (2-1, 1-0 Ivy) by a 35-14 final on Saturday afternoon at the Yale Bowl.

Earnest Edwards and Jaquan Blair each pulled down second half touchdown receptions of 50 and 63-yards, respectively, to total the scoring for the Black Bears.

Yale quarterback Kurt Rawlings paced the Bulldog offense, going 22-for-34 for 306-yards and four touchdowns, three coming through the air. JP Shohfi was Rawlings' leading target, hauling in 10 receptions for 124-yards.

Maine rush defense, which entered as the CAA leaders allowing just 40.7 yards per game, surrendered 90 to the Yale ground attack. The difference on offense came through the air were Yale outgained the Black Bears, 306-179.

Individually, Jeff DeVaughn posted a career, and game-high, nine stops while Deshawn Stevens added seven tackles. Taji Lowe posted 2.0 tackles for loss, including a sack, and six total stops.

Third down also proved to be a struggle for the Black Bears, who finished the game 3-for-13 while going 0-for-3 when facing fourth down. Yale convereted on over 50-percent (8-of-15) of its third down opportunities. 

How it happened:

1Q | The Bulldogs took the opening drive 75-yards on 10 plays, capping it off with a 1-yard touchdown run Rawlings.

2Q | On first and goal from the Maine 7-yard line, Rawlings finds Reed Klubnik for a 7-yard touchdown. The score, completing a nine-play, 45-yard drive, came with 12:26 remaining in the first half.

2Q | Following a bad snap on third down, the Black Bears were forced to punt from their own 35. David Gelb's punt traveled 36-yards where it was returned by JP Shohfi. Drew Belcher and Jaron Grayer combined on the hit on Shohfi, forcing a fumble which was recovered by Maine's Shaquille St. Lot. The Black Bears took over on their own 46. On first down, Robinson hit Belcher for a 7-yard gain. Yale was whistled for a roughing the passer penalty on the throw, moving Maine down to the Yale 32. Three carries from Fitzpatrick, including a 9-yard rush on third down, moved Maine to the 27. Three plays later, Kenny Doak would attempt a 44-yard field goal. The attempt would fall short as Yale held on to its 14-0 advantage.

2Q | The Bulldogs would look to put together a late second quarter drive. Rawlings and the offense moved down to the Maine 23. On third and 10 from the Maine 23, Grayer and Sterling Sheffield combined for a sack, backing the Bulldogs up 17-yards and out of field goal territory. A last second hail mary attempt was intercepted by Micah Wright to end the half.

3Q | With 4:42 remaining in the third quarter, Yale extended its lead to 21-0 on a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Trenton Charles. A 23-yard pass from Rawlings to D. Major Roman setup the score on a drive which covered 71-yard in 3:30.

3Q | The Black Bears quickly responded. A 13-yard pass from Robinson to Wright moved Maine to the 50 before Robinson found a wide-open Edwards for the 50-yard score. The touchdown, the first of Robinson's career, covered 63-yard in just 44-seconds.

3Q | Yale answered on the ensuing drive. Rawlings threw for 74 of the 75-yards on the drive, ending the possession with a 24-yard touchdown strike to Kulbnik for the duo's second scoring connection of the afternoon.

4Q | On the first play of the fourth quarter, Robinson found Blair streaking across the middle. Blair made the outstretched, one-armed catch, sidestepped a pair of tacklers and covered 63-yard untouched for the touchdown. The score cut the Yale lead to 28-14 with 14:40 left in regulation.

4Q | Katley Joseph provided Maine with terrific field possession when he hauled in his first career interception at the Yale 30. Joseph snatched a shuffle pass from Rawlings out of the air, returning it down to the Yale 17. However, Maine was unable to convert, turning the ball back over to Yale on downs.  

4Q | Rawlings and Klubnik connected for their third score, this time a 6-yard pass and catch, to five the Bulldogs a 35-14 advantage with 1:13 on the clock.

Up Next:

The Black Bears return home to host Villanova in CAA action on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 3:30 p.m. For tickets, call 207.581.BEAR or visiting GoBlackBears.com/tickets.

-UMaine-