Orono, Maine -- The No. 7/9 University of Maine football team hosts #8/8 Towson on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. in a match-up between top-10 nationally ranked foes in the CAA conference opener for both programs.
This meeting the second straight season in which the two teams meet as nationally ranked opponents after No. 23 Maine defeated No. 15 Towson, 35-28, a year ago in Maryland. It also marks the first time two, top-10 teams have ever met in Orono - dating back through the 127 years of Maine Football. The Black Bears are 7-1 against their last eight ranked opponents, including a 3-1 mark against top-10 ranked foes.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased
GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207.581.BEAR or by visiting the
Alfond Arena Ticket Office during normal operating hours. Tailgate lots will open at 4 p.m. on game day. For more information on tailgating at UMaine, including parking maps, rules and regulations, please click
here.
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ORONO BREWING COMPANY 'FAMILY 4-PACK':
The Black Bears are excited to partner with our friends at Orono Brewing Company to announce a special
Family 4-Pack ticket offer for the 2019-20 athletic season! UMaine Athletics and Orono Brewing Company have joined forces to offer Black Bear fans a Family 4-Pack ticket option to football and men's ice hockey games for the 2019-20 season. This special deal offers families the chance to purchase four tickets to a home UMaine football game for a special price of $44 and four tickets to a UMaine men's ice hockey game for $55! Men's Ice Hockey Family 4-Packs will be available when single-game tickets go on sale on Tuesday, Sept. 3. This special Family 4-Pack also comes with an offer in which fans will receive a special coupon to Orono Brewing Company for a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal! Fans can purchase their tickets online at
GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207-581-BEAR or in-person at the UMaine athletics box office located at Alfond Arena!
GAME STORYLINES:
- This will be the 13th meeting in the history of the two programs, with the Black Bears carrying an 8-6 overall mark in the all-time series. Maine has won two of the last three meetings and holds a 3-4 record at Alfond Stadium against the Tigers. The Black Bears came away victorious in last year's meeting, a showdown in which both teams were also nationally ranked, 35-28. In that contest, Towson was set up first and goal from the Maine 9-yard line with less than five minutes to play. However, the 'Black Hole' defense kept Towson out of the end zone on four-straight attempts to secure the victory. The visiting team in the series has won each of the last three meetings. Maine's last victory at home over Towson came in 2007. Towson has won two-straight meetings in Orono.
- Maine looks to run its undefeated streak at Alfond Stadium to seven-straight after finishing the 2018 campaign 5-0 at home before defeating Sacred Heart, 42-14, in this year's home opener. Maine has not lost in Orono since Nov. 18, 2017 and is currently riding its longest home win streak since 2012-13 (7). The Black Bears are also 5-0 in their last four night games (6 p.m. or later). longest since 2012-13 (7)
- Focus will be on the pass game on both sides of the ball as the game will feature the CAA's first (Maine - 369.0 ypg) and third (Towson - 278.0 ypg) pass offenses and the league's top two (Maine, 83.5 pass yards per game allowed, Towson 97.0 pass yards per game allowed) pass defenses.
- The Black Bears, currently ranked No. 7 in the latest STATS FCS Top-25 poll, have been ranked in the poll for 16 straight weeks. 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.
- Towson is off to its first 2-0 start since 2013 after most recently defeating North Carolina Central a 42-3. The Tigers are led by the CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Tom Flacco who enters play ranked third in the CAA in total offense at 302.5 yards per game. The Tigers arrive in Orono with the CAA's best defense, allowing 12.0 points per game through its first two contests.
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TALE OF THE TAPE
| Maine (CAA rank) |
Category |
Towson (CAA rank) |
| 30.0 (5) |
Points |
35.0 (3) |
| 470.5 (1) |
Total Offense |
404.5 (7) |
| 101.5 (11) |
Rushing Yards |
126.5 (10) |
| 369.0 (1) |
Passing Yards |
278.0 (3) |
| 31:23 (3) |
Offensive Time of Possession |
24:09 (12) |
| 332.5 (6) |
Total Defense |
318.5 (4) |
| 249.0 (12) |
Rushing Yards Allowed |
221.5 (9) |
| 3/5 |
Rushing TDs/Passing TDs |
4/4 |
| 83.5 (1) |
Passing Yards Allowed |
97.0 (2) |
| 4/0 |
Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed |
2/1 |
| 28:37 |
Defensive Time of Possession |
35:51 |
| -1 (8) |
Turnover Margin |
+3 (T-3) |
| 20.0 (5) |
Points Allowed |
12.0 (T-1) |
A UMAINE WIN WOULD...
...Be Maine's fifth consecutive CAA victory.
...Be Maine's seventh consecutive home victory (undefeated at home since 11/18/17).
...Be Maine's fifth consecutive home CAA victory.
...Move Maine to 8-1 in its last nine games against nationally ranked opponents.
...Be Maine's fourth win over top-10 opponents in its last five opportunities (three wins over top-10 opponents last year).
...Give Maine a victory over its highest ranked opponent since defeating No. 7 UNH in 2018.
...Be Maine's ninth victory over Towson (8-6 overall).
...Be Maine's fourth home victory over Towson (3-4 overall).
...Be Maine's second-straight victory over Towson (W, 35-28 - '18)
...Be Maine's first victory over Towson at Alfond Stadium since Nov. 3, 2007 (W, 16-13).
...Move Maine to 9-1 in it's last 10 games at Alfond Stadium.
SERIES NOTES:
Maine and Towson are meeting for the 15th time in history. The Black Bears are 8-6 overall against Towson, taking last year's meeting 35-28 on the road at Towson. This will be the second-straight meeting in the all-time series in which the two teams enter with national rankings. Maine is 3-4 at home against Towson but will be looking for its first victory over the Tigers in Orono since 2007 (16-13). In the last meeting, Maine's defense stopped Towson on fourth and goal to secure a seven point, road victory in a game which featured 775 total yards of offense. The meeting also pits two of the CAA Preseason Poll top three teams (No. 2 Towson/No. 3 Maine) against each other. The first meeting in the series took place on Sept. 8, 1979 - a 13-7 Towson win in Orono. The visiting team has won each of the last three meetings in the series.
SEASON NOTES:
CONSECUTIVE RANKINGS
• The Black Bears, currently ranked at No. 7 in the latest STATS FCS Top-25 poll, have now been ranked in the poll for 16 straight weeks. 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.
AERIAL ATTACK / NO-FLY ZONE
• Two games into the 2019 season, the Black Bears currently lead the CAA and rank fourth nationally in pass offense (369.0 ypg).
• The Black Bears also are averaging 15.4 yards per completion.
• Defensively, the Black Bears also lead the CAA and check in fourth best in the FCS in pass defense, allowing just 83.5 ypg through the air.
• The Black Bears currently lead the CAA in total offense, averaging 470.5 yards per game.
• The Black Bears have thrown for 300+ yards in each of their last three outings.
• Ferguson checks in fifth in the nation in total pass yards (709) and sixth in pass yards per game (354.5).
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).
FERGUSON WEEKLY HONOR
• For his impressive performance, QB
Chris Ferguson was tabbed the CAA Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
• Ferguson posted 404 of his 423 yards in the first half, adding three first half touchdowns.
• Ferguson connected on each of his first 11 pass attempts, finishing the game with an impressive 23-for-29 showing (79%).
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.
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.
HOME WIN STREAK
• Maine entered 2019 riding a five game home win streak. Maine went a perfect 5-0 at Alfond Stadium a year ago, including picking up its first-ever home playoff victory, a 55-27 win over Jacksonville State.
• The Black Bears began the season with a 42-14 victory at home over Sacred Heart to run its home win streak to six straight.
• Maine has not lost in Orono since Nov. 18, 2017 in which they lost on a last-second hail mary to Stony Brook, 20-19.
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).
FERGUSON MOVING UP ALL-TIME
• Currently, Ferguson ranks eighth on Maine's all-time passing yards list at 5,145. Next up on the list is Emilio Colon (5,563). Ferguson needs just 418 yards to surpass Colon and jump into seventh on Maine's all-time passing list.
TOUCHDOWN EDWARDS!
•
Earnest Edwards has tallied at least one touchdown (receiving, rush, return, pass) in eight of his last nine outings.
• Over his last eight outings, Edwards has tallied two or more touchdowns four times.
EDWARDS MILESTONES - CLIMBING ALL-TIME CHARTS
• Edwards recorded the 100th reception of his career at Georgia Southern. He now stands just 49 receptions away from 150 in his career and 299 yards from 2,000 career receiving yards. He also stands just two touchdown receptions away from 20 in his career.
• Edwards, Maine's all-time leader in career kickoff returns for touchdowns (4), needs just 259 return yards to surpass 2,000 for his career.
• Edwards ranks 13th all-time in receiving yards at Maine (1,701); just 247 behind Ryan Waller for 12th.
• Edwards (101 career receptions) ranks 20 receptions behind Kevin McMahan (130) for 13th all-time at Maine.
• Edwards has accounted for 27 total touchdowns in his time at Maine; 18 receptions, four kick return, three rushing and two passing.
 • Edwards has two or more receptions in each of his last 14 games.
THE RUSH STOPS HERE - RETURN OF THE BLACK HOLE
• Maine led the nation in rush defense in 2018, allowing just 79.2 rush yards per game - with opponents averaging just 2.4 yards per rush.
• Maine returns eight starters on defense, including all four of its defensive lineman to the 2019 squad.
• Maine has held 13 of its last 16 opponents to 100-yards rushing or fewer. Three of those opponents have been FBS member schools.
• Preseason All-American
Kayon Whitaker,
Charles Mitchell,
Alejandro Oregon and
Jamehl Wiley will be among the best defensive line tandoms in the nation this season. Among the four, they've racked up 294 tackles, 64.5 tackles for loss and 33.5 sacks in their time at Maine.
• At linebacker, Maine returns its top two overall tacklers in
Deshawn Stevens (120) and
Taji Lowe (85). Maine will need to replace All-American
Sterling Sheffield but will look to do so with
Jaron Grayer, who led the team in tackles in 2017.
TAKE IT AWAY
• Maine ranked first in the CAA and third nationally in turnovers gained in 2018 (31).
• Maine checked in first in the CAA and sixth nationally with 18 interceptions. DEFENSE IN THE BACKFIELD
• Maine currently returns two of the top six CAA sacks leaders (Whitaker, D. Stevens) - each tallying 9.5 and 9.0 sacks respectively in 2018.
• Both players made it a habit to disrupt the oppositions backfield. Whitaker recorded at least a half sack in seven of Maine's contests, including a career-best 3.0 sacks against UAlbany.
• Stevens posted a half sack or more in eight of Maine's outings while racking up an impressive 17.0 tackles for loss, averaging 1.2 TFLs per game to rank fifth best in the CAA.
• In all, Maine featured five players with double-digit TFLs. The Black Bears welcome back four of the five in Whitaker, Stevens, Lowe and Oregon.
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
• Through 14 games in 2018, Maine recorded 47 sacks. Maine led the CAA in total sacks, nine more than second place New Hampshire.
• Maine boasted a season-best 13.0 TFLs in its FCS semifinal win at Weber State. It was the most TFLs in a game for Maine since 2007 (13.0 vs. UNH).
• Maine finished the season ranked first in the CAA and fourth nationally, averaging 3.36 sacks per game.
• The Black Bears ranked sixth in FCS and first in the CAA with 8.4 TFLs per game.
OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION
 • The Black Bears ranked fifth in the CAA in 2018 in scoring offense, averaging 26.5 points per game. The scoring averaged was Maine's highest output since 2013.
 •
Chris Ferguson returns as the third-year starter at quarterback and welcomes back four of his top six weapons including senior
Earnest Edwards who led the team in receptions (53), receiving yards (839) and touchdown receptions (10) in 2018.
FERGUSON CAREER YEAR
 •
Chris Ferguson, who begins his third year as the Black Bears started under center, is coming off a career year in 2018. The 2018 campaign saw Ferguson net career highs in completions (209), attempts (371), passing yards (2,372) and touchdowns (22).
• Ferguson's 2,372 pass yards in 2018 ranked ninth on Maine's single-season all-time list.
• In his final performance of the 2018 season, Ferguson threw for a season-best 325 yards in Maine's NCAA semifinal contest at Eastern Washington.
• Ferguson tallied three or more touchdowns in four games, including a career-high five touchdown passes in the NCAA second round meeting with Jacksonville State.
• Over the past three seasons, no one in the CAA has thrown for more total touchdowns (42) than Ferguson.
THIRD DOWN DEFENSIVE SUCCESS
• The Black Bears ranked second in the CAA and ninth nationally in third down conversion percentage defense in 2018.
• The Black Bears held their opposition to a slim 28.4 percentage conversion rate on third down a year ago.
OFF TO A QUICK START
• The Black Bears are 8-1 in the last nine games in which they've scored first. Last season, Maine outscored its opponents by a 196-143 margin in the first half.
• Maine provided itself with great momentum heading into the half last year, nearly doubling up its opposition in the second quarter. The Black Bears outscored their opponents 123-67 in the second quarter in 2018.
RUSHING FOR 100+ IS POSITIVE FOR MAINE
 • The Black Bears are 10-1 in their last 11 games when rushing for 100 or more yards.
 • On the flip side, Maine went 8-3 in 2018 when it allowed less than 100 yards rushing in 2018.
PUTTING THE GAME AWAY
• Heading into the 2018 season, the Black Bears put their focus on closing games. That focus paid off as the Black Bears finished a perfect 8-0 when leading after three quarters.
WELCOME TO PATTERSON ISLAND
• Preseason All-American, All-Conference and Buck Buchanan Watch List selection
Manny Patterson has tallied 52 career pass deflections while at Maine.
 • Patterson has recorded at least one PBU in 13 of Maine's last 15 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 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.
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).
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