Newark, Del. -- The University of Maine football team dropped its spring season opener by a final score of 37-0 on the road to No. 25 Delaware on Saturday afternoon.

The contest, Maine's first in 469 days, saw the return of senior linebacker Deshawn Stevens who was lost to injury in the 2019 season opener. In his first game back, Stevens posted 10 tackles. Maine's 'Black Hole' defense was led by Adrian Otero who registered a game-high 11 tackles, his fifth double-digit tackling performance of his career. Jordan Swann recorded Maine's first takeaway of the season, pulling down his first career interception with the Black Bears.

As a unit, the Black Bears' defense registered 7.0 tackles-for-loss with Myles Taylor and Ori Jean-Charles each tallying two each.

Quarterback Joe Fagnano finished the game 10-of-23 for 61 yards. Senior wide receiver Andre Miller tallied three catches for 61 yards.

Delaware jumped out to an early lead after Dejoun Lee took the opening kickoff 87 yards for a score.

The Blue Hens' offense threatened late in the first quarter, putting together a 15 play, 67 yard drive to set them up at the Maine 19. However, Jordan Swann came up with the clutch play for Maine's defense, intercepting Delaware quarterback Nolan Henderson at the Maine 5, ending the threat.

Ryan Coe's 34 yard field with 10:45 remaining in the first half extended Delaware's lead to 10-0.

Delaware extended its lead to 17-0 when Henderson found Gene Coleman for a 21 yard touchdown reception, completing a five play, 75 yard drive.

Coe's second field goal of the game, a 45 yard strike, lifted Delaware's advantage to 20-0 with 11:02 left in the third quarter.

A 12 yard rushing score from Lee and Coe's third field goal of the game, this one from 33 yards, pushed the Blue Hens' lead to 30-0 early in the fourth.

Following a mishandled punt, Delaware regained possession on Maine's 1-yard line with 11:12 to play in the contest. Henderson would score on the keeper, lifting Deleware's advantage to 37-0.

Maine continues Colonial Athletic Association action on Saturday, March 13 when it hosts UAlbany at 12 p.m. No fans are permitted inside Alfond Stadium for the season opener.

-UMaine-