Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine football team has released its 2023 schedule. The schedule features three non-conference contests, five games at Alfond Stadium, and the challenging eight game Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) slate. Four of the Black Bears' 2023 opponents will be against schools they've never competed against in school history.

"We are looking forward to the challenge of opening up our season at FIU and playing a competitive CAA schedule," says head coach Jordan Stevens. "We are already looking forward to the 2023 season and cannot wait to see all of Black Bear Nation back at Alfond Stadium for the home opener on Sept. 16."

Maine opens with a pair of road games, starting on Saturday, Sept. 2 when it travels to Miami, Fla. for its first-ever meeting with Florida International University of Conference USA. The Black Bears continue non-conference action when they hit the road to take on the 2023 Football Conference Subdivision (FCS) runners-up and 17 time national champion North Dakota State Bison on Sept. 9. The meeting will be Maine's first competition against the Bison.

Maine begins its home schedule on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium with is conference opener when it hosts Rhode Island on Sept. 16. In the 101st meeting between the two programs, Maine will be looking for its 20th win over the Rams in the past 22 contests.

The Black Bears hit the road for a trip to take on William & Mary on Sept. 23 before returning home to host Stony Brook on Sept. 30. Maine will travel to William & Mary for the first time since 2018 and meet Stony Brook for the 11th time in history.

Maine begins October with a trip to take on the Spiders on Oct. 7 as the Black Bears make their first trip to Richmond since 2018.

The Black Bears conclude non-conference action when they host Long Island University on Oct. 14 in the first meeting in program history against the Sharks.

Maine takes on new CAA member Campbell in Buies Creek, N.C. on Oct. 21. The Camels mark the fourth opponent of the season that Maine will take on for the first time in history.

A two-game homestand follows as Maine hosts UAlbany on Oct. 28 before welcoming Hampton to Alfond Stadium on Nov. 4. Maine has won seven of the last eight meetings with the Great Danes and will welcome the Pirates to Orono for the first time.

Following its bye week, Maine finishes the regular season with the 111th Battle for the Brice-Cowell musket at New Hampshire on Nov. 18.

Stay tuned to GoBlackBears.com for more information on 2023 tickets in the coming weeks. For questions regarding tickets, please contact the UMaine Athletics Box Office at 207.581.BEAR or by emailing um.tickets@maine.edu.

-UMaine-