Box Score Miami, Fla. – The University of Maine football team was unable to complete a late fourth quarter drive as Florida International University escaped with a 14-12 victory on Saturday evening.
 
In his first career game, Tristen Kenan posted 108 rush yards on 24 carries to go along with a touchdown. His 108 yards were the most rush yards by a Maine freshman since Ramon Jefferson (186 yards) in 2018. John Gay added 81 yards on the ground as Maine posted 165 total rushing yards.
 
Derek Robertson ended the evening 21-of-43 for 213 yards while Jamie Lamson posted a career-high six receptions for 48 yards. Cooper Heisey, Montigo Moss and Kenan each registered three receptions.
 
A week after FIU rushed for 178 yards at Louisiana Tech, the Black Bears defense held the Panthers in check on the ground. Maine's 'Black Hole' defense, which shutout the Panthers in the second half, limited FIU to just 13 rush yards, including holding Shomari Lawrence, who rushed for 139 a week ago, to just 26 yards. Maine's defense, which captured a pair of takeaways, was led by Darius McKenzie's career-high six tackles while Robby Riobe added five stops.
 
FIU's Keyone Jenkins began the scoring with his first of two first half touchdowns. Jenkins' 19-yard scoring reception from Kris Mitchell came with 8:12 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Maine answered as Robertson and the Black Bears marched down the field, ending the drive with a 48-yard field goal from Cody Williams. The field goal marked Maine's longest field goal since Kenny Doak's walk-off, 52-yard kick on Oct. 6, 2018 to defeat Villanova.
 
The Panthers looked to extend their lead as they would drive down to the Maine 27. However, a lob to the end zone was picked off by Shakur Smalls, ending the threat on Smalls' third career interception late in the first quarter.
 
The Black Bear offense went back to work from its own eight with just over five minutes left in the half. Maine was forced to punt after three plays. However, on the punt, Jamie Lamson was able to tie up the returner and Tyshawn Stewart's big hit helped free up the ball. Vince Thomas hoped on the loose ball, giving Maine possession at the FIU 37. Kenan's 19-yard rush helped set up Maine for a 28-yard field goal from Williams, cutting the lead to one.
 
On the ensuing possession, Mitchell hit Jenkins for the duos second touchdown connection of the game. The 62-yard reception gave FIU at 14-6 edge at the break.
 
Maine opened the second half with a magnificent 13 play, 81-yard drive ending in Kenan's first career rushing touchdown. The freshman bounced outside for the five-yard score, closing the gap to a pair. Maine's two-point try would come up short, as FIU clung to a 14-12 lead early in the third quarter.
 
FIU moved the ball deep into Maine territory, midway through the fourth quarter. With the Panthers facing a fourth and five from the Maine seven-yard line, FIU mishandled the fourth down snap and Izaiah Henderson pounced on the quarterback to stop the drive.
 
Maine began its drive on its own 24. Robertson and the offense moved into FIU territory but a sack would face the Black Bears with a fourth and 15 from the FIU 42. The fourth down pass attempt would fall incomplete, giving the ball back to FIU with 55-seconds remaining.
 
The Panthers were able to run the clock out, escaping with a 14-12 victory.
 
Maine returns to action on Sept. 9 when it travels to take on North Dakota State.
 
-UMaine-