Albany, N.Y. -- Maine's defense put together its best game of the season, limiting UAlbany to just three first half points while forcing its 10th turnover of the season and registering a season-high 10.0 tackles for loss, as the Black Bears earned their second-straight victory, and seventh-straight over the Great Danes, by a final of 19-16.
The win, Maine's first road victory of the season, lifts Maine to 2-3 in league play. Maine is now 6-1 all-time on the road against the Great Danes and have won six-straight at Casey Stadium.
The Black Hole defense registered its highest sack total of the year (3.0) while limiting UAlbany to just 2-of-14 on third down.
Adrian Otero led the way with a game-high eight tackles while
Xavier Nurse added seven stops, including a sack and a pair of tackles for loss. Khari Manns added a sack and a half while
Robby Riobe and
Ray Miller each chipped in seven stops.
Derek Roberts extended his stream of passing attempts without an interception to 147 as the quarterback finished the day 14-of-26 for 182 yards and a touchdown.
Devin Young guided Maine's receivers with five catches for 69-yards, surpassing the 1,000-yard receiving plateau for his career.
Steve Petrick registered his first touchdown as a Black Bear while
Freddie Brock rushed for 53-yards and a score.
Maine opened the scoring with a 39-yard field goal from
Jonny Messina with 12:56 left in the first quarter.
Trevin Ewing set up the Black Bears in good field position on its first possession after taking the kickoff 49-yards to the UAlbany 47. A 17-yard completion by
Andre Miller carried Maine deep into UAlbany territory before the drive stalled. Messina would put Maine up 3-0 on his first field goal of the afternoon.
UAlbany carried its first possession of the game to the Maine 24 before back-to-back tackles behind the line of scrimmage, the second being a sack from Manns, stalled the drive. A third down carry was fumbled by UAlbany while
Justin Sambu pounced on the loose ball, regaining possession for the Maine offense at the Maine 36.
The Black Bears would cash in off the turnover as the offense pieced together a 10 play, 64-yard scoring drive. Robertson connected on four-straight attempts, the last of which being a 15-yard touchdown strike to Petrick in the corner of the end zone. Following the point after, the Black Bears found themselves up 10-0 late in the first.
Maine added to its lead midway through the second when Messina connected on another field goal, this one from 42-yards out, to put Maine up 13-0.
UAlbany was able to get on the scoreboard on the ensuing drive as Dylan Burns' 28-yard field goal trimmed the advantage to 13-3 at the break.
Following a scoreless third quarter, the Great Danes found the end zone early in the fourth. Jeff Undercuffler hit L.J. Wesneski for a 15-yard touchdown with 10:23 on the clock. However, the Great Danes would miss the point after as Maine held on to a four-point edge, 13-9.
Maine wasted no time answering. On the fourth play of its next drive, Brock would slash his way over the goal line for a 20-yard touchdown. The Black Bears would go for two but fail on the conversion, leaving the score at 19-9 with 8:12 remaining in regulation.
UAlbany cut the lead to three on the next possession when Karl Mofor rushed in from two yards out for the score. Burns' point after would be good as Maine clung to a 19-16 advantage.
The Black Bears were forced to punt on their next drive, giving UAlbany the ball at its own 29 with 3:44 left. However, a holding penalty on first down and three incomplete passes, would turn it back over to Maine.
Maine would convert on a first down and enter victory formation, sealing its seventh-straight win over the Great Danes, 19-16.
The Black Bears continue action next Saturday when they travel to meet Rhode Island at 1 p.m.
-UMaine-
