Football drops home finale to Hampton

Saturday, November 4

Orono, ME

1:00 p.m.

University of Maine

2-8 , 1-6

Hampton University

5-4 , 3-3

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Hampton	7	7	14	14	42
Maine	7	21	7	0	35

Photo by: Katie Moyes

11/4/2023 6:11:00 PM | Football

Box Score Highlights

Robertson matches career-high with five touchdown passes

Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine football team held a 35-28 edge heading into the fourth quarter but could not hold on, falling to Hampton by a final of 42-35 on Saturday afternoon at Alfond Stadium.

Maine's offense posted 30 first downs and 526 yards led by quarterback Derek Robertson's 349 passing yards and a career-high matching five touchdown passes. Rohan Jones hauled in a career-best three touchdowns while Jamie Lamson posted career-highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (180) to go along with his team-high fifth touchdown reception. Cooper Heisey added a touchdown reception while Tristen Kenan rushed 16 times for 88-yards.

The Black Bears controlled the clock with an impressive 37:07 amount of possession but lost the turnover battle 3-0 while allowing 323 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Xavier Holmes guided Maine's defense with six tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.

Maine started the scoring with 5:33 left in the first quarter when Robertson found Jones for a 19-yard touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone on fourth and two.

The Pirates responded after a 68-yard rush set them up deep in Maine territory before Elijah Burris rushed in from a yard out for the first of his four touchdowns on the day.

Robertson and Jones again hooked up for a score early in the second quarter when Roberson quickly flipped a pass outside to Jones who scampered down the sideline before diving over a defender and across the goal line.

Another large rush, this one 60-yards from Burris, again stationed the Pirates deep in Maine's red zone before quarterback Chris Zellous pushed forward for a four yard touchdown.

Maine took a 21-14 edge just under three minutes later when Robertson rifled a pass to Lamson who muscled his way into the end zone, dragging a defender across the goal line for a 49-yard touchdown.

The Black Bears took advantage on a blocked punt from Jones as Maine would take over at the Hampton 45. Robertson and the Black Bears marched down to the Hampton one yard line before the quarterback floated a short pass to Heisey for the touchdown.

Maine would lead, 28-14, at the half.

Hampton struck first in the second half as Burris broke free for an 80-yard rushing score on the first possession of the third quarter.

In the see-saw battle, Maine responded once again as Robertson and Jones connected for their third touchdown on the day. Robertson again flicked a short pass outside to Jones who sprinted down the sideline, busting through a tackle before crossing the goal line for the score to put Maine up by 14, 35-21.

Hampton responded by posting 21 unanswered points to seal the victory, 42-35.

Maine enters the bye week before closing the season with the Border Battle, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings, at New Hampshire on Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.

-UMaine-