Baltimore, MD – Coming off a CAA Championship season and run to the NCAA FCS semifinals, the University of Maine football team has been selected third in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) preseason poll, as announced on Tuesday, July 23 at the annual CAA Media Day held at M&T Bank Stadium. The Black Bears received 201 total tallies and one first place vote in the poll.
 
Individually, six Black Bears collected seven CAA preseason all-conference honors. Senior Earnest Edwards was selected to the CAA preseason all-conference team as both a wide receiver and kick return specialist. Edwards was joined on the preseason all-conference team by fellow seniors Manny Patterson (cornerback), Kayon Whitaker (defensive lineman) and Taji Lowe (linebacker), along with juniors Liam Dobson (offensive lineman) and Deshawn Stevens (linebacker). Junior quarterback Chris Ferguson (quarterback) and Charles Mitchell (defensive lineman) earned honor mention selections.
 
The Black Bears return eight starters on defense and seven on the offensive side of the ball from last year's team which capped off a historic run by advancing to the NCAA FCS semifinals after garnering their first CAA Football title since 2013. A year ago, the Black Bears compiled a 10-4 overall mark, including a 7-1 record in league play, while posting a perfect 5-0 mark on their home turf at Alfond Stadium.

The CAA preseason poll was voted on by the league's 12 head coaches and media relations directors.

Earnest Edwards - Senior - WR/KR

• 2018 All-CAA first team kick return specialist, 2017 All-CAA first team kick return specialist
• 2018 All-CAA second team wide receiver, 2016 All-CAA third team
• 2018 New England Football Writers University Division All-New England Team (KR)
• Led the CAA in 2018 with 14 total touchdowns
• Tied for second in the CAA with two kick return touchdowns
• Ranked fifth in the CAA in all-purpose yards per game (114.1), third in all-purpose yards (1,597), fifth in receptions (53), third in receiving yards (839), tied for first with 10 receiving touchdowns
• Set UMaine record with 326 all-purpose yards at William & Mary

Manny Patterson - Senior - CB

• 2018 All-CAA first team - 2017 All-CAA second team
• 2018 All-ECAC second team
• 2018 All-New England Team
• Tied for team lead with three interceptions (2018)
• Ranked third in the country in pass breakups per game, leading the CAA with 22 total pass deflections
• Tallied 47 total tackles

Kayon Whitaker - Senior - DL

• 2018 All-CAA first team
• 2018 New England Football Writers University Division All-New England Team
• 2017 All-CAA third team
• Tallied career-best 9.5 sacks in 2018 to go along with 11.5 tackles for loss
• Ranked third in the CAA in total sacks, 35th in the nation in sacks per game

Taji Lowe - Senior - LB

• Set career-highs in tackles (85), tackles for loss (15.0) and sacks (3.0) in 2018
• Ranked second on the team in total tackles and third in tackles for loss

Deshawn Stevens - Junior - LB

• 2018 All-CAA second team
• 2018 FCS HERO Sports Sophomore All-American First Team
• Named team's Walter Abbott Most Outstanding Defensive Player
• Led the Black Bears with 120 tackles to go along with 17.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks in 2018
• Ranked third in the CAA in total tackles and tackles per game (8.6), tied for fifth in the CAA in total sacks and ranked second in the CAA in tackles for loss, averaging 1.21 per game
• Tallied double-digit tackle totals in four games, including a career-best 16 stopst at Elon

Liam Dobson - Junior - OL

• 2018 All-CAA second team
• 2018 HERO Sports Sophomore All-America honorable mention
• Started all 14 games in 2018 at right guard

Tickets for the 2018 season can be purchased by phone at 207.581.BEAR, online at GoBlackBears.com/tickets or in-person by visiting the UMaine Athletics box office located at Alfond Arena during regular operating hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Season Memberships also remain available for the 2019 season, starting at just $65 for all five games! As a season member, you'll enjoy numerous benefits including a free tailgate parking pass! Reserve your season membership today!


-UMaine-