Orono, Maine -- After #18 New Hampshire found the end zone on its first possession in overtime, Maine answered with a score of its own as it converted on an extended lateral play when Montigo Moss' backwards pass found Rohan Jones who powered in for the touchdown. However, Maine two-point conversion attempt for the win came up short as the Wildcats escaped with a 42-41 victory.

Elijah Barnwell led Maine with a career-high 143 yards and three touchdowns as the Black Bears produced 336 yards rushing on the afternoon. The 336 yards on the ground marked Maine's highest single game rushing total since it ran for 381 against Bryant in 2017. Zavier Scott added 108 yards and a touchdown, giving Maine a pair of 100+ yard rushers for the first time since that same game against Bryant.

Joe Fagnano turned in a 16-for-32 day with 202 yards and one touchdown to go along with 71 yards and a score on the ground. Scott led Maine's receivers with five catches while Jones added the lone receiving score of the afternoon.

Maine's 538 total yards of offense were its most since posting 572 in 2019 at Liberty.

Brian Lee Jr. guided Maine's defensive attach with 11 tackles while Austin Ambush and Benito Speight each posted seven stops. Khairi Manns registered the lone sack of the day for the Black Bears.

New Hampshire jumped out to a 7-0 lead when it took its opening drive 88 yards, ending in the first of three rushing scores by Dylan Laube. The Wildcats extended their lead to 14-0 when Max Brosmer found D.J. Linkins for a 33-yard pass and catch.

Maine broke through with its first touchdown when Barnwell tallied the first of his three scores with 3:21 left in the first quarter. On the play prior to the score, Barnwell burst through the line for a 57 yard gain to the New Hampshire one yard line. A play later, he bounced in for the score.

New Hampshire quickly answered. A 48-yard reception from Sean Coyne and a penalty put the Wildcats at the Maine 15 where Laube would rush in for a touchdown.

The Black Bears were able to cut the deficit to seven at the half. Fagano and the offense entered the two minute drill as the Black Bears maneuvered their way down the field. Maine converted on a pair of third downs before benefiting from a pass interference penalty. The flag put Maine at the New Hampshire 15 where Freddie Brock would pick up 14 to the one. A play later, Barnwell found the end zone as Maine entered the break trailing, 21-14.

Laube and the Wildcats struck first in the second half as the running back broke free for a 48 yard touchdown with 6:12 left in the third.

Maine wasted no time responding. After a touchdown, Scott bounced outside and sprinted down the home sideline for a 75 yard scoring rush.

Trailing by a score entering the fourth, Maine tied things up early in the final quarter. The Black Bears chipped their way down the field before Fagnano slashed outside on a quarterback keeper for a 15 yard touchdown, knotting the contest at 28-all with 14:23 remaining in regulation.

Brosmer's six yard pass to Adam Deese on the ensuing play put New Hampshire back on top, 35-28, with 11:12 on the clock.

A heavy dose of Barnwell on Maine's next drive helped the Black Bears once again tie it. Barnwell's rush of 20 yards moved Maine into New Hampshire territory. Maine kept churning, as Barnwell picked up 11 on a fourth and one to keep the chains moving. Barnwell again converted on fourth down, this time picking up a pair on a fourth and one, as Maine moved down to the New Hampshire two yard line. Maine kept it with the hot hand as Barnwell powered up the middle for the score, knotting the score at 35-35.

Each team would have a chance to take the lead late but neither could put points on the board, moving the game to overtime.

Maine won the overtime toss and deferred. Brosmer connected with Kyle Lepkowski for a four yard touchdown on the Wildcats' first possession of the extra frame before Nick Mazzie notched a key extra point.

The Black Bears struggled to get the ball moving in overtime but, on fourth down, cashed in. With some trickery, Fagnano hit Montigo Moss for a short gain before Moss lobbed a lateral back to Jones on the opposite sideline. The blockers were in place as Jones won the battle on a goal line collision for the touchdown.

However, Maine's two point conversion came up short as the Wildcats escaped with a 42-41 overtime victory to regain the Brice-Cowell Musket.

-UMaine-