Orono, Maine -- Coming off last weekend's win over William & Mary, the Black Bears look to make it two in a row as they travel to take on UAlbany on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m. live on
FloSports and audio streamed on the Black Bear Sports Network and worldwide at
GoBlackBears.com.
Maine carries a four-game win streak against the Great Danes into Albany as the Black Bears look for their second CAA victory, and first on the road, of the season. The Black Bears have also won in four-straight trips to Albany.
WATCH PARTIES:
Orono Brewing Company (61 Margin St.), Sea Dog Brewing Company in Bangor and Buffalo Wild Wings locations in Bangor and South Portland will serve as your Official Watch Party Locations for this weekend's showdown at UAlbany.
Â
GAME STORYLINES:
- The Black Bears enter play 7-5 all-time against UAlbany. Maine has won each of the last four meetings, including a 28-9 decision a year ago in Orono. In the latest meeting, Maine was able to hold UAlbany to just 113 total yards, including just seven total yards in the first half. Earnest Edwards turned in six catches for 114-yards and a touchdown in the 2018 victory. Maine is 4-1 on the road in the series and has won in four straight trips to Albany. The Black Bears defeated UAlbany 12-10 in their last trip to the Capital Region in 2017. Maine has won six of the last eight meetings. The first contest between the two teams came in 1977, a 42-39 victory by the Great Danes in Orono. This meeting marks the 11th consecutive year in which the two teams have faced off. Maine is 6-4 over that stretch against the Great Danes.
- Maine, which ranks fifth in the nation at 322.5 pass yards per game, is coming off its first league victory of the season after defeating William & Mary, 34-25, on Homecoming weekend in Orono. Maine had its most impressive defensive performance in CAA action this season, holding the Tribe to just 4-of-22 passing for 68-yards and 294 total yards. Joe Fagnano began the game 0-for-3 passing before completing 12 of his next 13, finishing with 249 yards and two touchdowns. Jaquan Blair went over 100-yards receiving for the third time this season with a game-high 115-yards and registered his second, two touchdown performance of the season while Earnest Edwards added four catches for 92-yards and a touchdown.
- The Great Danes, coming off a bye, enter action undefeated at home (4-0) and winners of two-straight after registering victories at then No. 9 Towson (38-21) and at home against Rhode Island (35-28). UAlbany has won four of its last five. The Great Danes, who rank third in the CAA in scoring offense (33.6 ppg), are led offensively by quarterback Jeff Undercuffler who leads the CAA with 24 touchdown passes and ranks second in the league with 2,021 pass yards. Defensively, UAlbany leads the league in total takeaways (19) and chcecks in third allowing 23.6 ppg. The Great Danes are led defensively by Eli Mencer whose 8.5 sacks are good for second in the league.
- The showdown will feature two of the top passing offenses in the CAA (Maine, 1st, 322.5; UAlbany, 3rd, 254.4) as Maine's top-ranked pass defense (183.6 ypg) will look to slow down UAlbany's passing attack which ranks first in the CAA with 24 passing touchdowns.
- Earnest Edwards, who ranks fourth in the nation at 165.1 all-purpose yards, has accounted for 12 touchdowns this season (7 rec., 3 pass, 2 KR). Edwards, who ranks fifth on Maine's all-time receiving list (2,236), has tallied a touchdown in 13 of his last 14 outings.
TALE OF THE TAPE
| Maine (CAA rank) |
Category |
UAlbany (CAA rank) |
| 28.8 (6) |
Points |
33.6 (3) |
| 444.9 (4) |
Total Offense |
399.1 (5) |
| 122.4 (11) |
Rushing Yards |
144.8 (7) |
| 322.5 (1) |
Passing Yards |
254.4 (3) |
| 31:23 (3) |
Offensive Time of Possession |
29:49 (7) |
| 361.2 (4) |
Total Defense |
366.0 (5) |
| 177.6 (1!) |
Rushing Yards Allowed |
140.9 (4) |
| 8/19 |
Rushing TDs/Passing TDs |
7/24 |
| 183.6 (1) |
Passing Yards Allowed |
225.1 (6) |
| 22/9 |
Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed |
10/12 |
| 28:37 |
Defensive Time of Possession |
30:11 |
| -9 (12) |
Turnover Margin |
+7 (2) |
| 30.9 (11) |
Points Allowed |
23.6 (3) |
A UMAINE WIN WOULD...
...Be Maine's eighth over UAlbany (7-5).
...Be Maine's fifth consecutive win over UAlbany.
...Be Maine's fifth consecutive road win at UAlbany.
...Be Maine's first CAA road win of the season.
...Be Coach Charlton's first CAA road win of his career.
SERIES NOTES:
Maine and UAlbany will meet for the 13th time ... Maine enters with a 7-5 advantage in the series ... The Black Bear have won four straight against the Great Danes and also four-straight on the road in the series ... Maine has held UAlbany to 16 or fewer points in each of the last four meetings, including twice holding the Great Danes to single digits (7, 9). The two teams first met in 1977, a 42-39 Great Dane victory in Orono. Maine is 6-4 over its last 10 against UAlbany and has won five of its last six against the Great Danes.
Earnest Edwards has recorded a touchdown in two of his three outings against UAlbany, with scores of 40-yards and 77-yards.
LAST 10 VS. UALBANY:
Year   Winner   Place   Score  Â
2018   Maine   Orono   28-9
2017   Maine   Albany   12-10
2016   Maine   Orono   20-16
2015   Maine   Albany   39-7
2014   Albany   Orono   7-20
2013   Maine   Albany   33-27
2012   Albany   Maine   20-30
2011   Maine   Albany   31-15
2010   Albany   Orono   0-3
2009   Albany   Albany   16-20
SEASON NOTES:
QUICK START
• The Black Bears have scored on their first offensive drive in six of their first eight games with three touchdowns and three field goals.
FAGNANO SLINGING IT IN FIRST START
•
Joe Fagnano made his first career start a memorable one as the freshman went 25-of-37 for 445-yards and five touchdowns at Liberty.
• His passing yards (445) and total yards (469) were both the single-game highest output by any CAA player this season.
• He is just the third Maine QB since 2009 to throw for 5+ touchdowns. His passing yardage were the most by a Black Bear since 2009 (Chris Triester-468).
• For his efforts, Fagnano earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors and the New England Football Writers Gold Helmet Award.
THREE GO FOR 100+
 • At Liberty, the Black Bears saw three receivers total 100-plus receiving yards. Edwards (127), Miller (108) and Young (106) each eclipsed the 100-yard mark.
AERIAL ATTACK / NO-FLY ZONE
• Eight games into the 2019 season, the Black Bears currently rank first in the CAA and rank fifth nationally in pass offense (322.5 ypg).
• The Black Bears also are averaging 15.0 yards per completion - second in the CAA and 13th in FCS.
• Defensively, the Black Bears rank first in the CAA and check in 20th best in the FCS in pass defense, allowing just 183.6 ypg through the air.
• The Black Bears have thrown for 300+ yards in six of their last nine outings, including three 400+ yard showings.
MULTIPLE WEAPONS
• The Black Bears currently have four receivers who rank in the top 20 among CAA leaders in receptions per game: Blair (3rd-6.0); Edwards (13th-4.1), Young (15th-3.8) and Miller (19th-3.4). The first two rank in the top 10 in receiving yards, led by Edwards (3rd-98.9) and Blair (6th-84.3).
• Three of the four receivers are cashing in big on receptions. Edwards is averaging an impressive 23.9 yards per reception (third in FCS), while Miller (16.3) and Young (14.3) rank seventh and 17th, respectively.
FERGUSON MOVING UP ALL-TIME
• Currently, Ferguson ranks sixth on Maine's all-time passing yards list at 6,091. Next up on the list is Jake Eaton (7,145). Ferguson currently stands 1,054 yards behind Eaton for fifth all-time.
TOUCHDOWN EDWARDS!
•
Earnest Edwards has tallied at least one touchdown (receiving, rush, return, pass) in 13 of his last 14 outings.
• Over his last 13 outings, Edwards has tallied two or more touchdowns eight times.
• This season, Edwards is second in the CAA in total touchdowns (9) and tied with Blair for third in receiving touchdowns (7).
EDWARDS MILESTONES - CLIMBING ALL-TIME CHARTS
• Edwards ranks fifth all-time in receiving yards at Maine (2,236); 107 behind Phil McGeoghan (2,343) for fourth all-time.
• Edwards recorded the 100th reception of his career at Georgia Southern. He now stands just 27 receptions away from 150 in his career and 264-yards from 2,500 for his career.
• With 140 yards receiving at Villanova, Edwards became just the 10th Black Bear in history to reach the 2,000 yard plateau.
• Edwards, Maine's all-time leader in career kickoff returns for touchdowns (6), surpassed 2,000 career kickoff return yards with a school-record 198 return yards at Colgate. Edwards is Maine's all-time leader in kickoff return yards (2,176) and total kickoff returns (83).
• Edwards (123 career receptions) ranks seven receptions behind Kevin McMahan (130) for 13th all-time at Maine.
• Edwards has accounted for 37 total touchdowns in his time at Maine; 24 reception, six kick return, three rushing and four passing.
• Edwards has two or more receptions in each of his last 19 games.
• Edwards totaled 127 receiving yards at Liberty, marking his sixth career, 100+ receiving yard performance.
• The Black Bears are 14-5 when Edwards catches a touchdown pass.
• Edwards currently leads the CAA and checks in second nationally with 165.1 all-purpose yards per game. Edwards is also first in all of FCS in kick return average (33.5 yards per game).
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST IN GAME ONE
• In game one, the offense put up some impressive numbers. Maine's 582 total yards were its most since a 602 yard effort in 2013 against Delaware.
• The total yards marked just the seventh time in seven seasons in which the Black Bears bested 500 yards.
• Ferguson threw for 423 yards, becoming the first Black Bear since Marcus Wasilewski (2012) to surpass 400 yards passing. His total was also the most by a Black Bear QB since Chris Treister (468) in 2009.
•
Jaquan Blair (140) and
Devin Young (104) each surpassed the 100 yard receiving mark in the win. The duo teamed up to become the first pair of wide receivers to total 100+ receiving yards in the same game since 2004 (Arel Gordon - 157; Christian Pereira - 111).
WELCOME TO MANNY ISLAND
• Preseason All-American, All-Conference and Buck Buchanan Watch List selection
Manny Patterson has tallied 54 career pass deflections while at Maine.
 • Patterson has recorded at least one PBU in 18 of Maine's last 21 games.
 • In 2018, Patterson led the nation in total pass breakups (25) while ranking third nationally and first in the CAA at 1.8 passes defended per game.
PRESEASON HONORS
• Maine collected seven CAA preseason all-conference honors -
Earnest Edwards (WR/KR);
Manny Patterson (CB);
Kayon Whitaker (DL);
Taji Lowe (LB);
Liam Dobson (OL) and
Deshawn Stevens (LB).
Chris Ferguson (QB) and
Charles Mitchell (DL) received honorable mentions nods to the CAA preseason all-conference squad.
• Three Black Bears were named STATS FCS Preseason All-Americans -
Manny Patterson (first team);
Kayon Whitaker (second team);
Deshawn Stevens (third team).
•
Manny Patterson was one of 25 players in the nation to be selected to the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, an award presented to the top defensive player at the FCS level.
BIG DAY FOR THE BLACK HOLE
• Maine's 'Black Hole' defense had a big day in the Colgate backfield on Sept. 21. The Black Bears tallied 8.0 sacks in the game, their most since a 9.0 sack day against Delaware in 2012. Maine also tallied 14.0 TFLs in the contest at Colgate, its most since racking up 15.5 TFLs against Towson in 2006.
• Whitaker currently sits at 21.5 sacks for his career, just six shy of tying Mike Denino for second all-time at Maine and 8.0 behind Michael Cole for the school record.
EDWARDS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED RECORD BREAKING PERFORMANCE
 •
Earnest Edwards was named CAA Special Teams Player of the Week and STATS FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week following his impressive kick return performance at Colgate.
 • Edwards set a new school-record with 198 returns yards, besting his own, old record (188) set in 2018.
 • Edwards also tied his own school mark with a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns; one going back 95-yards and one school-record tying 100-yard return.
 • Edwards is Maine's all-time leader in return yards (2,176), return touchdowns (6) and total returns (83).
KEY INJURIES
 • Junior linebacker, and captain,
Deshawn Stevens, who led the Black Bears with 120 tackles in 2018, ruptured his Achilles in game one of 2019 against Sacred Heart. After a successful surgery, Stevens will now miss the remainder of the season. Junior captain and quarterback
Chris Ferguson suffered a right foot injury against Richmond and will also miss the remainder of the year.
FERGUSON OFF TO A HISTORIC SEASON
• Before suffering a foot injury against Richmond, Ferguson was third in the CAA and 20th nationally in total passing yards (1,655), second in the CAA and 18tth nationally in passing yards per game (275.8) and is averaging 14.3 yards per completion.
• Since 2002, Ferguson is the only Black Bear to throw for 400+ yards twice in a season.
• Following his performance at Colgate, Ferguson moved into sixth on Maine's all-time passing list (6,091).
• With 347 pass yards at Villanova, Ferguson became just the sixth player in Maine history to throw for 6,000+ yards.
• Over the past three seasons, no one in the CAA has thrown for more total touchdowns (46) than Ferguson.
RUSHING FOR 100+ IS POSITIVE FOR MAINE
 • The Black Bears are 12-3 in their last 15 games when rushing for 100 or more yards.
CONSECUTIVE RANKINGS
• The Black Bears recently had their streak of 20-straight weeks of being ranked in the STATS FCS poll snapped. The streak marks the longest stretch in which Maine has been recognized in the top-25 poll since a 31-week ranked stretch from 2001-03.
CAPTAINS
• Following a team vote, the Black Bears elected two juniors and two seniors as the 2019 captains.
Kayon Whitaker (Sr., DE);
Jaquan Blair (Sr., WR);
Chris Ferguson (Jr., QB) and
Deshawn Stevens (Jr., LB) will serve as captains for the 2019 squad.
• After selecting game day captains from 2010-17, the Black Bears elected two captains in 2018 (
Drew Belcher, Jeff DeVaughn).
NEW STAFF
• After 2018 head coach Joe Harasymiak took an assistant coaching role at Minnesota, former offensive coordinator
Nick Charlton was named head coach of the Black Bears.
• All six of Maine's returning coaches from 2018 have had their role altered from the last season while Maine also welcomes in seven new assistants.
• The newcomers include
Kurt von Bargen (DL);
Makana Garrigan (RB);
Reggie Garrett (CB);
Mikal Myers (OLB);
Mikahael Waters (TE);
Sam Lenson (ST QC) and
Robert Smoloski (Offensive Undergraduate Assistant).
OFF TO A QUICK START
• The Black Bears are 9-3 in the last 12 games in which they've scored first.
PRESEASON POLL/NATIONAL RANKING
• After capturing the outright CAA Championship in 2018, the Black Bears were selected third in the CAA Preseason Poll. Maine received one first place vote in the poll.
• Maine's CAA preseason ranking is its highest-ever CAA preseason ranking to start a season.
• Maine's No. 4/5 national ranking to close 2018 was the highest it had ever finished a season in the national polls.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
• Maine will once again play one of the toughest schedules in the FCS in which it will hit the road for two FBS contests, take on a pair of non-conference opponents who won (Colgate) and shared (Sacred Heart) conference titles in 2018, and play a total of seven road games.
• A tough schedule is nothing new to Maine. In 2018, Maine defeated seven ranked opponents (a school record) all while playing just four regular season games at home.
• Maine also scored its third-ever win over an FBS opponent in 2018, coming back from down 21-0 to defeat Western Kentucky.
CARRYING #39 WHEREVER THEY GO
 • In August of 2018, freshman
Darius Minor tragically passed away during an off season workout.
 • Then head coach, Joe Harasymiak, declared that no one would wear #39 for the next four seasons.
 • The Black Bears carry the #39 with them, hanging it on the sidelines at all games and also pay tribute to Minor's memory with a #39 sticker on each helmet.
-UMaine-
