Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine football team opens its home slate, and CAA schedule, when it hosts #21 Rhode Island on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m, presented by Pepsi. The game will be streamed live at FloFootball, with radio coverage on 92.9 The Ticket and GoBlackBears.com.
The Maine and Rhode Island game, originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Alfond Stadium, was moved to Friday at 6:30 p.m. due to Hurricane Lee. For more information on the decision to move the game, please click here. Maine's last game on a Friday night came on Sept. 30, 2019 when it defeated Sacred Heart, 41-14, at Alfond Stadium.
Tickets for Friday evening's game are still available and can be purchased at GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207-581-BEAR, or in-person at the UMaine Athletics box office during regular operating hours. All tickets issued for Saturday will be honored on Friday night. Fans unable to attend Friday evening's game may contact the ticket office for details on exchanging tickets for a future game. Due to University parking regulations, there will be no tailgating. Fans are asked to park in the lots surrounding Alfond Stadium, free of charge, on a first come, first serve basis.
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- Maine opens its CAA slate when it welcomes #21 Rhode Island to Orono in the home opener for the Black Bears and their second consecutive game against a ranked opponent and the 101st meeting between the two programs.
- The Black Bears square off with Rhode Island, its second longest tenured opponent behind New Hampshire (109). Maine owns a 62-35-3 mark all-time against the Rams and have won 14 of the last 15 meetings and 19 of the last 21. Maine is 37-18-3 all-time at home against the Rams. Maine has won 10 in a row at home in the series and has not lost to the Rams at Alfond Stadium since 1998. The two teams first met in 1911, a 3-0 victory by the Rams in Orono. Maine saw its 14 game win streak against the Rams snap last year with a 26-22 loss at URI. In the game, which Maine led 10-0 and 26-22, URI took the lead with 7:17 left in regulation and was able to hold off Maine on its final drive. The Black Bears controlled the possession, holding the ball for 35:26, and finished 7-of-16 on third down. Maine has not lost back-to-back games against the Rams since the 1998-1999 seasons.
- Maine will be looking for its first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 13 UAlbany, 38-34, on March 13, 2021.
- Maine is in search of its first win of the season after falling to 0-2 with a 44-7 loss to #2 North Dakota State last weekend. Freshman, and week one CAA Rookie of the Week, Tristen Kenan rushed for 53 yards while John Gay added 49 yards and his first career touchdown in the loss. Jamie Lamson matched his career-high with six receptions for the second consecutive game while Buggs Brown and Darius McKenzie each tallied career-highs (9) in tackles to lead the defense.
- The Rams picked up their first win of the season, and moved to 1-0 in CAA play, with a 35-14 victory against Stony Brook last Friday. URI, which tallied 21 points in the second quarter, produced 414 yards of offense behind 299 passing yards from Kasim Hill. The Rams produced a pair of turnovers with Jordan Colbert registering an interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. URI enters play with the second rated offense in the CAA (467.0 ypg) and second ranked passing offense (third in FCS) at 353.5 passing yards per game.
- Maine has won four of its last six home openers. The Black Bears have lost each of their last two home openers, including a 21-18 loss a year ago at home to Colgate.
A Maine Win Would:
...Be Maine's 63rd win over Rhode Island.
...Be Maine's 14th win in its last 16 games against URI.
...Be Maine's 20th win in its last 22 outings against the Rams.
...Be Maine's 11th-straight home win against Rhode Island.
...Be Maine's 38th overall win at home against Rhode Island.
...Be Maine's first win over a ranked opponent since March 13, 2021 (38-34 over No. 13 UAlbany in Orono).
...Be Maine's first win on a Friday night since Aug. 30, 2019 (Sacred Heart: 40-14).
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Tale of the Tape
| Maine |
Category |
URI |
| 9.5 (15) |
Points |
35.0 (4) |
| 300.5 (10) |
Total Offense |
467.0 (2) |
| 135.5 (8) |
Rushing Yards |
113.5 (11) |
| 165.0 (11) |
Passing Yards |
353.5 (2) |
| 2/0 |
Rushing TDs/Passing TDs |
3/6 |
| 31:20 |
Offensive Time of Possession |
32:46 (3) |
| 29.0 (6) |
Points Allowed |
28.0 (5) |
| 380.5 (8) |
Total Defense |
336.0 (3) |
| 138.5 (8) |
Rushing Yards Allowed |
170.0 (10) |
| 242.0 (10) |
Passing Yards Allowed |
166.0 (2) |
| 5/2 |
Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed |
4/3 |
| 30.8 (8) |
3rd-Down Conversions |
54.8 (1) |
| 36.0 (8) |
3rd-Down Conversion Defense |
33.3 (7) |
| -1.0 (12) |
Turnover Margin |
+0 (6) |
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