Orono, Maine  -- The Black Bears outscored visiting Rhode Island 21-3 over the final 9:52 to earn a 34-30, come from behind victory on Senior Day at Alfond Stadium. The win, Maine's fourth in a row, lifted the Black Bears to 6-5 overall and 4-3 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action.

Despite trailing by 14 early in the fourth quarter, Maine rallied for two scores, tying the game on a 3-yard rush by Joe Fitzpatrick. After a Rhode Island field goal regained the lead for the Rams, Joe Fagnano marched the offense down the field before hitting Earnest Edwards for an 11-yard game-winning touchdown with 34-seconds left in regulation.

Maine, which was outgained 175-83 in the first half, rallied for 293 second half yards while outscoring the Rams 31-20 over the final 30 minutes. The Black Bears, who went 6-for-6 in the red zone with four touchdowns, were able to come out on top despite going 0-for-8 on third down.

Fagnano was again efficient under center, orchestrating the offense and finishing 20-of-29 for 216-yards and two touchdowns. Edwards registered five catches for 58-yards and a score and now stands just 32-yards shy of Maine's all-time receiving yards mark. Jacob Hennie had his best day with the Black Bears, recording career-highs with five receptions and 52-yards while Devin Young added four catches for 67-yards and a score.

Edwards also led the rushing attack with a career-best 73-yards, including a career-long 55-yard pick-up, on three carries. The senior also made the final tackle on Rhode Island's final drive. Emmanuel Reed added six carries for 36-yards and a touchdown for the Black Bears who averaged 7.4 yards per carry.

Taji Lowe tallied a new career-high, leading all defenders with 15 tackles. Adrian Otero and Kayon Whitaker each registered 10 stops with Whitaker adding a sack and a pair of tackles for loss. Whitaker now stands just a half sack away from matching Mike Denino for second on Maine's all-time sacks list (27.5).


HOW IT HAPPENED:

1Q | The Rams took their opening drive 77-yards on 11-plays before cashing in on a 2-yard touchdown rush from Naim Jones with 8:56 left in the quarter.

2Q | The Black Bears went three-and-out on all three of their first quarter drives, and each of their first five drives in total, but the score remained 7-0 entering the second after Rhode Island missed a 37-yard field goal last in the opening period. Rhode Island advanced its lead to 10-0 with a 20-yard field goal from C.J. Carrick. Maine was able to hold the Rams to the field goal after backing the visitors up on a sack by Whitaker followed by a 10-yard loss on a rushing attempt after Rhode Island fumbled the snap.

2Q | Maine was able to get on the scoreboard in the final seconds of the half on a 28-yard field goal by Kenny Doak. Beginning at their own 41, Fagnano completed two passes before rushing for a 14-yard gain to the Rhode Island 35. A 22-yard completion to Hennie continued the march before Doak came on two plays later, hitting the field goal to send the game into the break with the Black Bears trailing 10-3.

3Q | Maine went three-and-out on its first drive of the second half before a 34-yard touchdown rush by Jones extended the Rhode Island lead to 17-3.

3Q | The Black Bears rallied back. Edwards' 28-yard punt return to the Rhode Island 19 set Fagnano up for a 19-yard touchdown pass to Young with 9:22 left in the quarter.

3Q | Maine was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct on the touchdown, forcing the Black Bears to kickoff from their own 20. Rhode Island began its next drive at the Maine 42. A 32-yard completion to Aaron Parker came prior to an Ahmere Dorsey eight yard touchdown reception. The score, coming with 7:20 on the clock in the third, pushed the Rams' lead out to 24-10.

3Q | Edwards' rush of 18 to the Rhode Island 47 got things rolling on Maine's ensuing drive. Another rush from Edwards, this one picking up 11, came before a 14-yard pass completion to Jayvaun Shears. Maine would go on to settle for a 34-yard, Kenny Doak field goal. The score would sit at 24-13 entering the final quarter.

4Q | Rhode Island extended its lead to 14 with 9:52 remaining in regulation on Carrick's 38-yard field goal.

4Q | Maine responded when rushes by Young and Reed for 22 and 16-yards, respectively, moved the Black Bears to the Rhode Island 23. A facemask penalty on the Rams carried Maine to the 12 where Reed rushed in for the score.

4Q | Dorsey returned the Maine kickoff 70-yards down to the Maine 23 where the Black Hole stood strong. Maine's defense held the Rams to a 44-yard field goal try which Carrick missed, coming up short and giving Maine the ball at its own 27. A 21-yard completion by Edwards kept the ball moving before the senior picked up 44-yards on a rush. After stepping out at the Rhode Island 3-yard line, Fitzpatrick finished the drive with the rushing score, pulling Maine even at 27-all.

4Q | Rhode Island looked to chew clock as it drove for the lead. A 23-yard completion by Vito Priore to Parker moved the ball to the Maine 13 with just over two minutes remaining. Maine took a timeout with 2:04 on the clock. Two incompletions by the Rams followed before Carrick gave Rhode Island a 30-27 lead with 1:49 left.

4Q | Fagnano and the offense began Maine's final drive from the Black Bears' 19 where the freshman quarterback hit Young for a 44-yard gain on first down. After a sack at the Rhode Island 38, Fagnano completed a pass to Fitzpatrick for 12-yards to the 26. A 15-yard strike to Hennie set Maine up at the 11 where Fagnano took a quick two-step drop before finding Edwards in the front corner of the end zone for the score. Maine's defense shut Rhode Island down on the Rams' final six passing attempts with Edwards making the final tackle to secure the 34-20 victory on Senior Day.

Maine concludes the regular season with the Border Battle for the Brice-Cowell musket on Saturday, Nov. 23 at New Hampshire. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. against the Wildcats.

-UMaine-