Gillette tallies three touchdowns in loss at Richmond

Saturday, October 7

Richmond, VA

3:30 p.m.

University of Maine

1-5 , 1-3

University of Richmond

3-3 , 2-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Maine	17	7	0	7	31
Richmond	14	21	7	0	42

Gillette tallies three touchdowns in loss at Richmond

10/7/2023 6:35:00 PM | Football

Box Score Highlights

Richmond, Va. – Maine (1-5, 1-3 CAA) jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter but could not hold on, falling by a final of 42-31 at Richmond (3-3, 2-1) on Saturday afternoon.

Joe Gillette became the first player since 2021 to register three touchdown catches in a game as he finished with career-highs in receptions (8), receiving yards (169), and touchdowns (3). Derek Robertson went over 300 yards passing for the second consecutive game as the quarterback went 18-of-25 for 315 yards with two touchdowns.

For the fifth time this season, Maine forced two or more turnovers as Alhaji Kamara and Damon Matthews each notched their first career interceptions. Tyshawn Stewart led the defensive effort with a career-high 10 tackles.

Maine tallied 421 yards of offense in the game, 410 of which coming through the air.

After forcing a punt on Richmond's opening drive, the Black Bears wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. On the second play from scrimmage, Robertson found a wide-open Joe Gillette for a 73-yard touchdown. The score was Maine's longest touchdown reception of the season.

Maine's defense followed up the score by forcing a three-and-out as the Black Bears would take over on their own one. A flea flicker freed up Braeden Heald as Robertson hit the receiver in stride for a 70-yard gain down to the Richmond 24. On the ensuing play, Robertson slung a pass out to Montigo Moss, who then tossed the ball to a wide-open Tavion Banks for the touchdown.

Richmond answered with a 65-yard touchdown pass from Camden Coleman to Brooks Heagarty.

The Black Bears stretched their lead out to 17-7 on a 23-yard field goal by Cody Williams with 3:09 left in the first quarter.

The Spiders clawed their way to with three when Coleman hit Nick Degennaro for a 56-yard touchdown.

Maine would lead, 17-14, after one as Robertson finished the first quarter 10-of-10 for 202 yards and a touchdown.

Degennaro's touchdown reception to end the first quarter would begin a string of 21 unanswered points by the Spiders.

Richmond took its first lead of the afternoon early in the second quarter on a 13-yard touchdown reception by Quanye Veney. Just over five minutes later, Coleman tossed his fourth touchdown of the half, once again finding DeGennaro to give Richmond a 28-17 edge.

Maine snapped the scoring streak when Robertson and Gillette hooked up for the second time, this one a 50-yard pass and catch to draw Maine within four, 28-24.

Coleman's fifth touchdown pass of the first half came with 53-seconds remaining in the second quarter as he found Landon Ellis for an 11-yard score, putting Richmond up 35-24 at the half.

The Spiders pushed their lead out to 42-24 when Coleman and DeGennaro connected for their third touchdown of the game, midway through the third quarter.

Gillette registered his third touchdown of the game on a two-yard reception with 4:37 left in regulation. The pass came from Anthony Harris who recorded his first career touchdown on the play.

Maine returns home to host LIU on Homecoming weekend in Orono. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Tickets for the Homecoming game are available at GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207-581-BEAR, or in person at the Maine Athletics box office.

-UMaine-