Orono, Maine -- The Black Bears turned three turnovers into 21 points as they earned a 38-28 victory over Monmouth on Homecoming Weekend in Orono. The win, Maine's second in a row, moved the Black Bears to 2-1 in Colonial Athletic Association action.

The Black Hole defense turned in an impressive effort as it recorded a season-high five sacks, totaled six tackles for loss, took away a pair of fumbles, and notched one interception on the afternoon. Monmouth, which entered play with the leading rushing attack (246.2 yards per game) and top rusher in all of the Football Championship Subdivision in Jaden Shirden (155.3), was held to just 112 yards on the ground while the Black Bears limited Shirden to just 81 yards. In total, Maine was able to hold Monmouth to just 3-of-11 on third down.

Khairi Manns paced Maine with a career-high 11 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, 2.0 TFLs, and a forced fumble, while Jamehl Wiley added seven tackles, with career-highs in both sacks (2.5) and TFLs (3.0). Kahzir 'Buggs' Brown's pick six marked the fifth interception of his career while Latrell Couchman forced Monmouth's second fumble. Maine's defense also came up with a big stop as Monmouth faced a fourth and one on the Maine five yard line with the score 35-20 late in the third quarter.

Maine's rushing attacked continued an impressive stretch as it combined for 174 yards on the ground with Freddie Brock and Elijah Barnwell each registering rushing scores. Kobay White exploded for six catches and a season-high 115 yards, including a 77-yard reception, as Joe Fagnano finished the day 14-of-23 for 181 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Montigo Moss and Shawn Bowman each tallied touchdown receptions for the Black Bears. Maine's offense was efficient, mustering 355 yards while ending 7-of-15 on third down, and 4-for-4 in the red zone.

After the Hawks jumped out to a 7-0 lead on their first possession, the Black Bears responded with 21 unanswered points.

Defense turned into scoring early for Maine as Manns' forced fumble was recorded by Shakur Smalls at the Monmouth 22 yard line. Off the turnover, with 4:07 left in the first, Fagnano floated a pass to the corner of the end zone where Bowman would elevate over his defender for the touchdown.

Maine took its first lead of the game with 6:23 on the clock in the second quarter. Freddie Brock would complete a seven play, 73 yard drive by bouncing outside and sprinting down the sideline for a 33 yard rushing score.

On Monmouth's next drive, Brown gave Maine a 21-7 advantage when he took his second interception of the year back for a 40-yard pick-six.

The Hawks were able to tack on a touchdown late in the half as Maine carried a 21-14 edge into the half.

The Black Bears came out of the halftime break on fire with a pair of touchdowns and a takeaway in the opening 2:30 of the third quarter.

Fagnano hit White for a 77-yard catch and run down to the Monmouth one yard line before Barnwell bounced in up the middle for the score.

On the ensuring kickoff, Couchman would punch the ball loose and Vince Thomas would fall on the fumble at the Monmouth 28. An unsportsmanlike penalty on the Hawks set Maine up at the Monmouth 14. Three plays later, Fagnano hit Moss at the goal line where Moss came down with a one-handed grab for his team-leading fourth touchdown of the season. The score would push Maine's lead out to 35-14 with 12:27 remaining in the third quarter.

Monmouth inched within two scores with a 43-yard touchdown pass but the two-point conversion would fall incomplete.

Cole Baker's field goal from 35 yards out pushed Maine's lead out to 38-20 with 9:46 showing in the fourth quarter.

Monmouth was able to cut the lead to 10 on a rushing score with 5:09 left.

Although it did not score again, Maine's offense used up 4:17 of clock before giving the ball back to Monmouth. A pair of sacks helped seal the deal for Maine as the clock hit zeros with the Black Bears earning a 38-28 victory.

Maine continues CAA action on Saturday, Oct. 22 when it travels to meet Stony Brook at 3:30 p.m.

-UMaine-