Orono, Maine -- Joe Fagnano tossed four touchdowns, three to Andre Miller, as the Black Bears posted 412 yards of offense to earn a 38-34 victory over No. 13 UAlbany. The victory was Maine's sixth-straight over the Great Danes and its first over a ranked opponent since a 2018 victory at No. Weber State.

Fagnano finished the day 17-of-29 for 249 yards and added 51 rushing yards and a rushing score to his stellar day, giving the sophomore five touchdowns in the win. Miller posted eight catches for a career-high 144 yards while Jacob Hennie added three catches for 55 yards and his first career score.

Deshawn Stevens continued his comeback tour with another double-digit tackling effort, his second in as many games, after tallying 12 stops with one pass breakup. Ori Jean-Charles added eight tackles, including one for loss, while Robby Riobe made a career-best eight stop.

Maine, which bounced back on its week one performance to register 163 rush yards in week two, was extremely efficient in clutch situation as the offense finished 8-of-13 on third down and 5-for-5 in the red zone.

After falling behind 10-0, Maine rattled off 17 unanswered points to take a second quarter lead. The scoring began with 9:16 left in the half as the Black Bears ended a four play, 43-yard drive with a Fagnano seven yard rushing score. The Black Hole defense forced a three-and-out as Maine's offense went back to work from the UAlbany 49. A 32-yard strike to Miller down the near sideline and a 14-yard end-around from Hennie set Maine up deep in UAlbany territory. Three plays later, Fagnano hit Hennie on third and goal for a nine yard touchdown. The score gave Maine a 14-10 edge with 5:15 on the clock.

The Great Danes' mishap on a punt set Maine up on the UAlbany 17. Jonny Messina's 33-yard field goal, his first as a Black Bear, put Maine up seven late in the half.

UAlbany would capitalize on a late field goal, sending the game into the half with Maine on top, 17-13.

UAlbany would open the third quarter by blocking Maine's 45-yard field goal attempt and returning it 42-yards to the Maine 21. Jeff Undercuffler found Mike Gray for a 19-yard score, giving the Great Danes a 20-17 lead.

Maine answered two possessions later. After forcing another three-and-out, Maine began its drive at the UAlbany 29. Fagnano maneuvered the offense down the five before hitting Miller on a short toss. Miller broke one tackle and dove into the end zone, recapturing a four point lead for Maine.

The Maine score would set the stage for a slugfest fourth quarter. The period began with UAlbany regaining the lead, 27-24, on a 21 yard pass from Undercuffler to Chris Potts.

The Black Bears answer with a punch of their own when Fagnano hit a streaking Miller down the middle of the field for a 37-yard score.

The Danes put themselves back up by three when Karl Mofor completed a seven play, 70-yard drive with a two yard plunge across the goal ine.

Maine landed the final blow with an impressive six play, 61-yard drive in 2:33. Fagnano found Hennie for a 40-yard gain down to the UAlbany 28. Five plays later, on third and six from the UAlbany 10, it was Miller again as the senior hauled in a 10-yard score, his third of the game. The touchdown gave Maine a 38-34 advantage with 3:58 remaining in regulation.

Maine's Black Hole looked to close things out, and did just that. After shutting the Great Danes down on three consecutive plays to start the drive, UAlbany was forced to punt on fourth and seven with 2:55 left.

Maine trusted its run game, was able to convert on a big third down, and ended the contest in victory formation to pick up its first win of the 2021 spring season.

The Black Bears continue Colonial Athletic Association action on March 20 with a trip to Stony Brook. Kickoff on Long Island is set for noon.

-UMaine-