LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The Black Bears tallied their most points ever against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) competition but were unable to come out on top in a 59-44 decision at Liberty (5-2) on Saturday evening in front of 18,657 fans at Williams Stadium.

Maine, which trailed 52-17 in the third, showed no quit. The Black Bears rattled off 20 points, doing so in 1:51 late in the third and into the fourth, to trim the deficit to 52-37. However, it would be as close as the Black Bears could get.

"We expect that (the fight)," said Charlton. "Our culture that we've built here we expect that. Unfortunately we gave up too many points and we didn't score enough. I'm happy that we fought the way we did but it wasn't good enough."

In his first career start, true freshman Joe Fagnano went 25-of-37 for 445-yards and five touchdowns.

"The kid makes plays," comment head coach Nick Charlton on the play of Fagnano. "I mean he's a true freshman and he had 400-plus yards of passing and he handled himself well. He had the one turnover at the beginning which hurt but to be a true freshman and have so much put on him, I mean that's hats off to him."

Three Black Bears total 100-plus yard receiving performances, led by Earnest Edwards' six catches for 127-yards and two scores. The senior receiver went over the century mark for the sixth time in his career and was joined in the 100-plus yard receiving range by Andre Miller, five catches, 108-yards, one touchdown, and Devin Young who set career-highs in both receptions (6) and yards (106). Jaquan Blair added his first career two touchdown performance, finishing with a team-high eight receptions for 99-yards.

Maine's 572 total yards of offense was its highest output against an FBS opponent and the second, 500-plus yard performance of the season as the Black Bears racked up 582-yards in their season opening victory over Sacred Heart. Maine's 44 points and 456 pass yards were the most allowed by Liberty in a single game this season.

The defense, which recorded Maine's first interception of the year on Rich Carr's third quarter takeaway, was led by Taji Lowe who registered a game-high 11 tackles, including the 200th stop of his career. Joshua Huffman added eight tackles while Max Roberts recorded the lone sack of the contest for the Black Bears.

Liberty went 4-for-4 in pass attempts on its opening drive, completing the first possession with a 14 yard pass from Stephen Calbert to Noah Frith with 1:19 gone in the quarter.

Maine answered. For the sixth time in its first seven games, the Black Bears were able to put points on the board on their opening drive. Maine opened with an 11 yard, flea flicker pass from Edwards to Blair. Fagnano, working in his first start of his career, completed a 20 yard pass to Devin Young down to the Liberty 33. A 16 yard completion along the sideline to Blair moved Maine to the Flames' 17. Maine advanced to the six yard line on a short rush from Fagnano, setting the Black Bears up first and goal. Two plays later, Fagnano looked for Edwards in the front corner of the end zone. The play was ruled a touchdown on the field but, after review, was overturned as it was determined that Edwards stepped out of bounds. Kenny Doak came on to complete a 23 yard field goal, completing Maine's 13 play, 69 yard drive in 6:31.

Liberty's Louis would return the ensuing kickoff 97-yards for a touchdown, giving the Flames a 14-3 advantage.

Maine was forced to punt on its next possession as Liberty would take over from its own 37. The Flames moved down to the Maine 17. The Black Bears defense would stand firm, holding Liberty to a 36-yard field goal.

Maine would fumble on its own 34 on its next drive. The Flames scooped up the fumble and returned it 29-yards before Peytton Pickett rushed in from a yard out for the score.

Liberty forced another turnover on Maine's next possession, this one an interception at the Flames' 31. Seven plays later, Troy Henderson hauled in an 18 yard pass from Calvert for the touchdown.

Maine's offense looked to settle in. Beginning from its own 25, three rushes from Reed carried the Black Bears out to midfield. Fagnano found Young along the Liberty sideline for a gain of eight. However, Liberty's defender was whistled for targeting. The penalty forced the player to be ejected and moved the Black Bears down to the Liberty 28. On the next play, Fagnano rolled out and hit Edwards across the middle. Edwards made one move before jogging into the end zone for his team-high fifth receiving touchdown of the season.

Calvert's third touchdown of the half found Frankie Hickson, this one going for a five yard score, as the Flames' lead would grow to 38-10 with 5:33 left in the second quarter.

Edwards would set Maine up at its own 45 after a kickoff return of 28-yards. Three rushes carried Maine back to midfield. Facing third and 15, Fagnano lofted a pass to Edwards who elevated over his defender, coming down with the 39 yard reception. On the next play, Maine's offensive line opened a large hole for Joe Fitzpatrick who darted into the end zone for a 21 yard score.

Liberty closed out the half with a nine play, 70 yard driving which ended in a two yard rushing touchdown by Joshua Mack as the Flames would take a 45-17 lead into the break.

The Flames added to their lead midway through the third when Calvert found DJ Stubbs for his fourth touchdown pass of the contest. The seven yard reception by Stubbs gave the Flames a 52-17 advantage.

As usual, there was no quit in the Black Bears who would answer with three unanswered touchdowns. Following Rich Carr's interception, Maine's first of the season, the Black Bear offense would take over at the Liberty 37. Young's rush around the line to the right gained 13 to the Liberty 29. Two plays later, Fagnano rifled a pass across the middle to Blair who broke a tackle on his way to the end zone.

Myles Taylor would recover an onside kick for the Black Bears at the Maine 48 where Fagnano and the offense went back to work. Blair collected a nine yard reception along the sideline before Fagnano hit Miller in stride at the goal line for a 43 yard catch. The point after kick would fail as the Black Bears closed within 12, 52-30, with 14:53 remaining.

The Black Hole forced a Liberty punt as Maine's offense would began at its own 30. Fagnano would hook up with Miller for back to back receptions, going for 24 and 28-yards respectively, to carry Maine to the Liberty 18. An 11 yard rush from Fagnano set the Black Bears up at the seven where Fagnano would find Edwards for the touchdown, cutting the advance to 52-37 with 12:53 to play.

Liberty would respond, this time when Calvert hit Kevin Shaa for a 15 yard touchdown with 11:04 left in regulation.

Maine kept fighting until the end. Fagnano opened Maine's final drive with a 27-yard completion to Young. The offense kept marching with another deep pass to Young, this time for 21-yards, down to the Liberty 20. A holding call on the Flames moved the Black Bears to the 10. Moments later, Fagnano rolled out and found Blair on a slant route across the middle for the score. The touchdown pass matched a stadium record of five touchdown passes.

The Black Bears were unable to recover the onside kick attempt as Liberty would kneel it out for the 59-44 victory.

The Black Bears return to CAA action when they host William & Mary on homecoming weekend in Orono on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. For tickets, call 207-581-BEAR or purchase online at GoBlackBears.com/tickets.

-UMaine-