Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine football team dropped its Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opener to #14 Villanova, 45-20, on Saturday afternoon at Alfond Stadium. Shawn Bowman, Montigo Moss, and Zavier Scott each tallied touchdown receptions in the loss for the Black Bears.

Xavier Mitchell led Maine's defensive attack with a season-high nine tackles while Shakur Small and Kahzir 'Buggs' Brown each chipped in seven.

Joe Fagnano finished the afternoon 24-for-38 with 192 yards through the air and a pair of touchdown passes. Bowman continued his impressive offensive showing with a career-high seven catches for 55 yards and a score while Kobay White added five grabs for 57 yards.

Villanova quarterback Connor Watkins ended the day 13-for-16 with 255 yards and four touchdowns, all going to receiver Jaaron Hayek.

Villanova jumped out to a 10-0 lead with a 39-yard field goal from Matthew Mercurio on its first possession before Jalen Jackson rushed in for a five yard touchdown with 5:45 left in the first quarter.

Maine cut the lead to 10-7 late in the first when Fagnano hit Moss for the duo's third touchdown connection in as many games. Fagnano moved Maine down the field with receptions to Jacob Hennie, White, and Bowman before Elijah Barnwell moved Maine to the Villanova nine. Moss elevated over his defender for a one-arm grab in the back corner of the end zone for Maine's first score of the day.

The Wildcats would answer with a pair of touchdown receptions by Hayek, the last an 83-yard score, to take a 24-7 edge with 4:40 remaining in the opening half.

Maine responded with another touchdown late in the second, cutting the deficit to 10. Fagnano found White for strikes of 15 and 11 yards down to the Villanova 45. Two rushed by Barnwell moved Maine to the 30 before Fagnano threaded a pass, which tipped off a Villanova defender, to Scott for a 30 yard touchdown reception.

Villanova would answer before the half with a Hayek's third touchdown reception of the half, this one from 18 yards out, as the Wildcats would enter the half leading 31-14.

Hayek would add his fourth score of the day with 9:22 left in the third as Watkins connected with the receiver for a 42 yard touchdown, elevating the Villanova lead to 38-14.

Maine's offense again went to work with 9:17 left in the third. Fagnano found Bowman for a 23 yard strike to the Villanova 46 before picking up another 14 on a reception by White to the Wildcat 28. Six plays later, Maine found pay dirt on some trickery as Fagnano tossed it to Barnwell before the running back floated a pass into the end zone to Bowman for the nine yard score. Maine's two point conversion failed as the Black Bears trailed Villanova, 38-20, with 14:56 remaining.

After forcing a pair of three-and-outs, Maine would take over on its own nine yard line. However, three plays into the drive, Fagnano was intercepted by Jalen Goodman who sprinted into the end zone for a 23 yard defensive score.

Neither team was able to score again as the Wildcats captured the victory, 45-20.

Maine returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 8 when it travels for its first-ever meeting with CAA newcomer, Hampton.

-UMaine-