Orono, Maine -- The Black Bears hosts Rhode Island in the 98th meeting between the longtime conference rivals on Saturday, Nov.16 at noon. Prior to kickoff, UMaine will recognize its senior class, taking time to honor its 14 seniors for their hard work and dedication to the University of Maine. Maine enters play riding a three-game win streak after a 31-17 victory at Elon last Saturday.
Tickets are still available for this weekend's Senior Day contest and may be purchased by visiting the Alfond Arena Box Office during normal operating hours, by phone at 207.581.BEAR or online at
GoBlackBears.com/tickets.
QUALITY JEWELERS FOOTBALL FOOD DRIVE:
All fans attending Saturday's football game are asked to bring a non-perishable canned good to receive a coupon for $5 off a future Maine Ice Hockey ticket! All goods go to support the Black Bear Exchange as part of the Quality Jewelers food drive!
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GAME STORYLINES:
- The Black Bears square off with Rhode Island, its second longest tenured opponent behind New Hampshire (107). Maine owns a 60-34-3 mark all-time against the Rams and have won each of the last 12 meetings and 17 of the last 18. Maine holds a nine game home win streak against the Rams as the Black Bears have not lost to Rhode Island at Alfond Stadium since 1998. Maine is 37-18-3 all-time at home against the Rams. Maine has also won six-straight on the road in the series. The two teams first met in 1911, a 3-0 victory by the Rams in Orono. A year ago, Maine came away with a thrilling, 38-36 victory thanks to Kenny Doak's 39-yard field goal as time expired. The Black Bears outscored Rhode Island 24-6 over the final 20 minutes of the contest, including battling back from 16 down midway through the third quarter. Chris Ferguson tallied a career-high 30 completions in the game.
- A week ago, the Black Bears jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first 10:18 at Elon before cruising to a 31-17. In the victory, Maine's third-straight, Joe Fagnano threw for 320-yards on 20-of-29 passing to go along with two touchdown passes to help lead him to a CAA Co-Rookie of the Week accolade. Earnest Edwards registered five receptions for 153-yards and a touchdown and moved into second on Maine's all-time receiving yards list with 2,523 yards. Edwards also has recorded a touchdown in 15 of his last 16 games. Defensively, Maine racked up its second-highest sack total of the year (6) and held the Phoenix to just 93 total yards in the first half while forcing a pair of turnovers.
- Rhode Island enters play coming off a 55-19 loss at William & Mary. The Rams are 1-4 in their last five and still searching for their first CAA win of the season (0-6). Rhode Island, 1-5 on the road this season and 0-3 on the road in league play, is led by its pass attack and quarterback Vito Priore who leads the CAA with 2,907 passing yards, averaging a league-leading 290.7 yards per game. Rhode Island also features the second (Aaron Parker 104.5) and fourth (Isaiah Coulter 95.3) ranked receivers in the league in terms of receiving yards.
- The contest will feature the top two passing offenses in the CAA in Maine (1st-315.9) and Rhode Island (2nd-312.6). Maine will look to exploit the Rhode Island defense which ranks last in the CAA in points allowed (34.7) and total defense (452.6).
TALE OF THE TAPE
| Maine (CAA rank) |
Category |
URI (CAA rank) |
| 30.8 (5) |
Points |
25.7 (7) |
| 441.4 (3) |
Total Offense |
404.3 (5) |
| 125.5 (10) |
Rushing Yards |
91.7 (12) |
| 315.9 (1) |
Passing Yards |
312.6 (2) |
| 31:52 (T-1) |
Offensive Time of Possession |
31:52 (T-1) |
| 362.0 (2) |
Total Defense |
452.6 (12) |
| 156.1 (6) |
Rushing Yards Allowed |
237.6 (12) |
| 10/26 |
Rushing TDs/Passing TDs |
9/21 |
| 205.9 (2) |
Passing Yards Allowed |
215.0 (3) |
| 23/14 |
Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed |
23/22 |
| 28:08 |
Defensive Time of Possession |
28:08 |
| -6 (12) |
Turnover Margin |
-2 (9) |
| 29.5 (11) |
Points Allowed |
34.7 (12) |
A UMAINE WIN WOULD...
...Be Maine's fourth consecutive win.
...Be Maine's 61st win over Rhode Island.
...Be Maine's 13th consecutive win over Rhode Island.
...Be Maine's 10th-straight home win against Rhode Island.
...Be Maine's 38th overall win at home against Rhode Island.
...Move Maine to 3-2 overall at Alfond Stadium.
...Lift Maine to 2-2 at home in CAA play.
SERIES NOTES:
Maine and Rhode Island will meet for the 98th time in history and the the 74th consecutive year the two have met dating back to 1945 ... Maine is 60-34-3 all-time against the Rams and have won 12-straight in the series and nine-straight at home ... Maine is 37-18-3 at home against the Rams ... Maine has won 17 of the last 18 meetings ... Maine is averaging 35.7 points over its 12 game win streak against Rhode Island while holding the Rams to 15.8 points over that same stretch ... Last year, Maine defeated URI 38-36 thanks to a 39-yard field goal from
Kenny Doak as time expired ... Maine has also won six-straight road contests in the series with Rhode Island.
SEASON NOTES:
THREE-GAME WIN STREAK
• Over Maine's current three-game win streak, the Black Bears are averaging 37.3 points per game and 431.3 yards.
• Fagnano has completed 68.1% of his pass attempts for 826-yards and eight touchdowns, finding Edwards (3) and Blair (3) for six of the eight scores over the stretch. Edwards is averaging 126.3 receiving yards over the winning streak.
• Whitaker and the Black Hole defense has turned it up over the three-game win streak. Whitaker has 9.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks in the last three games while Maine has registered 12 sacks, 18 TFLs and forced seven turnovers over the stretch.
DECIDED AT THE HALF
• The Black Bears are 5-1 when leading at the half and 0-4 when trailing. Maine is 5-0 when leading after three quarters and 0-5 when trailing entering the fourth quarter.
RECEIVERS GOING FOR 100+
• Maine's receiving have produced 12, 100+ yard performances this season, led by Edwards' five. Edwards has gone over 100-yards receiving in four of his last five outings.
WHITAKER PACKING THE DEFENSIVE STAT SHEET
• Over his last three outings, Whitaker has registered 10 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 9.5 TFLs. Whitaker currently ranks third in the CAA in sacks per game and tied for fourth in TFLs.
• Whitaker has produced at least a half TFL in seven of his last eight outings, including 9.5 in his last three games. Whitaker also has produced a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in two of his last three starts.
• Whitaker currently sits at 26.0 sacks for his career, just 1.5 shy of tying Mike Denino for second all-time at Maine and three behind Michael Cole for the school record (29.0).
QUICK START
• The Black Bears have scored on their first offensive drive in eight of their first 10 games with four touchdowns and four field goals.
FAGNANO IMPRESSIVE IN HIS FIRST FOUR STARTS
• Two-time CAA Rookie of the Week,
Joe Fagnano, is averaging 317.8 yards per game in his first four starts. Fagnano has thrown for 1,271 yards and 13 touchdowns with just two interceptions in the four game stretch while producing an impressive 67.9 (72-106) completion percentage.
• 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.
• Fagnano has thrown for four or more touchdowns in two of his first four starts.
• Fagnano has thrown for the top three touchdown receptions, in terms of yardage, in Maine history at 90, 88 and 87-yards.
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
• 10 games into the 2019 season, the Black Bears currently rank first in the CAA and seventh nationally in pass offense (315.9 ypg).
• The Black Bears also are averaging 15.4 yards per completion - second in the CAA and ninth in FCS.
• Defensively, the Black Bears rank second in the CAA and check in 41st best in the FCS in pass defense, allowing just 205.9 ypg through the air.
• The Black Bears have thrown for 300+ yards in seven of their last 11 outings, including three 400+ yard showings.
MULTIPLE WEAPONS
• The Black Bears currently have three receivers who rank in the top 20 among CAA leaders in receptions per game: Blair (5th-5.7); Edwards (9th-4.4) and Young (17th-3.7). The first two rank in the top 10 in receiving yards per game, led by Edwards (1st-108.8) and Blair (8th-74.8). Edwards is fourth in the country in receiving yards per game.
• Three of Maine's receivings are cashing in big on receptions. Edwards is averaging an impressive 24.5 yards per reception (second in FCS, 1st in CAA), while
Andre Miller (18.89) and Young (14.64) rank fourth and 16th, respectively.
TOUCHDOWN EDWARDS!
•
Earnest Edwards has tallied at least one touchdown (receiving, rush, return, pass) in 15 of his last 16 outings, with a touchdown reception in each of his last seven outings.
• Over his last 15 outings, Edwards has tallied two or more touchdowns nine times.
• This season, Edwards is fourth in the CAA in total touchdowns (11) and third in the CAA with nine touchdown receptions.
EDWARDS MILESTONES - CLIMBING ALL-TIME CHARTS
• Edwards ranks second all-time in receiving yards at Maine (2,523); just 90 yards from surpassing Sergio Hebra (2,612) for the all-time lead.
• Edwards recorded the 100th reception of his career at Georgia Southern. He now stands just 16 receptions away from 150 and one behind Gene Benner (135) for 12th all-time and eight behind Landis Williams (142) for 11th.
• 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 (2,211) and total kickoff returns (85).
• Edwards has accounted for 40 total touchdowns in his time at Maine; 26 reception, six kick return, three rushing and five passing.
• Edwards has two or more receptions in each of his last 21 games.
• Edwards totaled 153 receiving yards at Elon, marking his eighth career, 100+ receiving yard performance.
• The Black Bears are 16-5 when Edwards catches a touchdown pass.
• Edwards currently leads the CAA and checks in third nationally with 166.7 all-purpose yards per game. Edwards is also first in all of FCS in kick return average (31.3 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).
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.
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. Preseason Buck Buchanan Watch List and Preseason All-CAA selection
Manny Patterson suffered a knee injury at UAlbany and will also miss the rest 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 13-3 in their last 16 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.
OFF TO A QUICK START
• The Black Bears are 11-3 in the last 13 games in which they've scored first.
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).
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.
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.
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-
