Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine football team begins its 129th season of football on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. when it hosts longtime conference rival No. 5 Delaware at Alfond Stadium in the 37th meeting between the two rivals. Thursday's game is presented by UScellular and Pepsi.

Tickets are still available for Thursday's season opener and can be purchased by calling 207.581.BEAR, in-person at the UMaine Athletics Box Office located at Alfond Arena, or online at GoBlackBears.com/tickets. Tailgate lots open three hours prior to kickoff. For all tailgate rules, regulations, and guidelines, please click here.

Thursday's game will be broadcast live via the FloFootball platform and can be heard worldwide on the Black Bear Sports Network and locally in Maine on 103.9 FM, 101.3 FM, 95.1 FM, 100.5 FM, 1450 AM, 1310 AM.

Fans are encouraged to wear white to the game as UMaine Athletics hosts its #WelcomeHoME whiteout! All UMaine students will receive a free, commemorative white t-shirt while supplies last. Fans are also invited to stick around after the game for a special fireworks display, presented by Phantom Fireworks.

University of Maine (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs. No. 5 Delaware (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Date & Time	Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Venue	Morse Field at Harold Alfond Sports Stadium | Orono, Maine
Watch	Web Stream: FloFootball
Listen	103.9 FM, 101.3 FM, 95.1 FM, 100.5 FM, 1450 AM, 1310 AM | GoBlackBears.com | TuneIn
Live Stats	GoBlackBears.com
Game Notes	Maine | Delaware
Twitter	@BlackBearsFB

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• Maine is 63-58-5 all-time in its season openers and has won seven of its last eight home openers and each of its last four.
• Maine and Delaware will square off for the 37th time in history. The Black Bears are 11-25 all-time against the Blue Hens and 5-9 at home in the series. The two teams met back in the spring season, with Delaware capturing a 37-0 victory on its home turf. Delaware's last trip to Maine came in 2017 when the Black Bears hosted the Blue Hens at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine - a game won by Delaware, 31-17. Maine is 2-0 against Delaware in the last two games played at Alfond Stadium, including a 62-28 triumph in the last meeting in Orono back in 2013. The Black Bears are 3-1 in the last four contests against Delaware in Orono. Maine has won six of the last 10 meetings. The two teams first squared off in 1972.
• The Black Bears welcome back 20 starters from the spring campaign; 10 on offense, eight on defense, and two on special teams. Offensively, Maine welcomes back each of its top four rushers - led by second year back Freddie Brock (29 carries, 165 yards, one touchdown) and Elijah Barnwell (38, 125) - and all 10 of its receivers who registered at least one reception in the spring. The receiving corps is led by All-CAA selection Andre Miller, who ranked second in the CAA at 5.25 receptions per game and led the CAA with 87.0 yards per game to go along with six touchdowns. Third-year starter and All-CAA Second Team selection Joe Fagnano returns under center after ranking second in the CAA with 198.8 passing yards per game during the abbreviated spring season. Fagnano amassed 795 yards and eight touchdowns with a 57.8 completion rate in the spring season.
• Maine features eight returning starters on defense while welcoming in key transfers to bolster the nucleus of the Black Hole. Jamehl Wiley returns as Maine's top returning tackler (27) from the spring season with 24 starts in his career. Veteran linebacker Adrian Otero (25 tkls) leads the linebackers and will be joined by promising graduate transfer Ray Miller (Campbell). Veteran captain Rich Carr (29 games) leads the way in the secondary and will be flanked by second-year transfer Fofie Bazzie and second-year starter Austin Ambush.
• Delaware, selected second in the CAA Preseason Poll with seven first place votes, earned a league-high eight preseason all-conference honors. The Blue Hens welcome back reigning CAA Offensive Player of the Year in running back Dejoun Lee and All-CAA quarterback, Nolan Henderson. The Blue Hens, who finished the spring season ranked No. 4 in the nation with a 7-1 mark, advanced to the FCS semifinal round in the spring of 2021.

Tale of the Tape (Spring 2021)

Maine	Category	Delaware
22.5 (6)	Points	26.5 (4)
332.2 (5)	Total Offense	402.0 (3)
126.5 (7)	Rushing Yards	191.5 (3)
205.8 (2)	Passing Yards	210.5 (1)
4/8	Rushing TDs/Passing TDs	5/1
29:56 (5)	Offensive Time of Possession	29:20 (5)
33.5 (11)	Points Allowed	26.5 (8)
361.5 (7)	Total Defense	346.0 (8)
212.2 (9)	Rushing Yards Allowed	144.5 (7)
149.2 (3)	Passing Yards Allowed	201.5 (10)
11/5	Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed	7/0
30:04	Defensive Time of Possession	30:40
-3 (3)	Turnover Margin	+1 (2)

A Maine Win Would...
...Be Maine's 12th win over Delaware.
...Be Maine's eighth home opener victory in its last nine chances.
...Be Maine's fifth-straight home opening victory.
...Be Maine's highest ranked opponent its defeated since 2018 (#3 Weber State).
...Be Maine's third-straight win in Orono over Delaware.
...Be Maine's sixth total home win over Delaware (5-9 all-time at home against the Blue Hens).
...Be Maine's fifth win in its last seven outings against Delaware.
...Be Maine's sixth CAA opener win in its last eight chances.
...Be Coach Charlton's first career win over Delaware as a head coach.

-UMaine-