Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine Football team (0-1) plays its second of two road games to open the 2023 season when it travels for its first ever meeting with #2/2 North Dakota State. Saturday's game, set for 3:30 p.m. ET, will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and can be heard locally on 92.9 The Ticket and nationwide at GoBlackBears.com.
Maine will play its first game in its 131 year history in the state of North Dakota. Maine and NDSU were scheduled to play on Sept. 15, 2001 in Fargo, but the game was canceled following the tragic events of 9/11/01.
- Maine makes its first trip to the Fargodome and will square off against NDSU for the first time in history. Maine enters play 3-4 all-time against current Missouri Valley Conference member institutions (1-0 vs. Illinois State; 2-3 vs. Youngstown State; 0-1 vs. Northern Iowa). Maine's last contest against a MVC member came in 2008 when the Black Bears dropped a 40-15 decision in the first round of the playoffs at Northern Iowa.
- Maine will be looking for its first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 13 UAlbany, 38-34, on March 13, 2021. A win for Maine would also be its highest ranked opponent its ever defeated. Currently, Maine's highest ranking victory came when it took down No. 3 Weber State, 23-18, in the FCS quarterfinals on Dec. 7, 2018. The match-up with NDSU is Maine's highest ranked opponent since the Black Bears lost to No. 1 James Madison on the road, 28-10, on Sept. 23, 2017.
- In its season opener, the Black Bears came up just short in earning their fifth victory over an FBS opponent as they fell at FIU, 14-12. Maine, trailing by two late in the fourth quarter, had a chance to take the lead but fell short on converting a fourth down which ultimately sealed the game for the Panthers. Maine's freshman running back Tristen Kenan posted 108 rush yards and a touchdown, earning him the CAA Rookie of the Week honor. His 108 rush yards were the most by a true freshman at Maine since 2018 (Ramon Jefferson). Maine's defense, which forced two turnovers, held FIU to just 13 rush yards in the game.
- In its season opener, NDSU jumped out to a 21-7 halftime lead on Eastern Washington and never looked back in the first collegiate game played at Minnesota's U.S. Bank Stadium. NDSU totaled 513 yards of offense in the win, keyed by quarterback Cam Miller who went 18-for-25 passing for 174 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 83 rush yards and a score. Back-up QB Cole Payton added 104 rush yards and a touchdown as NDSU rushed for 337 total yards in the win.
- The Black Bears return 30 letterwinners from last year's team, including 11 starters (5 Off., 4 Def., 2 Specialists). Maine lost 26 from last year's roster and welcome 37 newcomers, including 10 transfers. A year ago, In Coach Stevens' first year on staff, the Black Bears finished 2-9 overall with five of those games being decided by four points or fewer. Maine has also added six new coaches since the end of 2022, including new offensive (Steve Cooper) and defensive (Jeff Comissiong) coordinators.
QUICK HITS:
KENAN BURSTS ONTO THE SCENE
• Freshman tailback
Tristen Kenan earned the CAA Rookie of the Week award after his impressive collegiate debut.
• In his first collegiate game, Kenan rushed for 108 yards against FBS foe FIU on 24 carries with a rushing touchdown to go along with three receptions.
• Kenan's 108 rush yards were the most by a Maine freshman since 2018.
• After week one, Kenan ranks fourth in the CAA in all-purpose yards (134.0), fourth in rushing yards (108), and fourth in rush yards per game (108.0).
TOP OF THE RANKS IN D
• After one week of action, Maine ranks tops in the FCS in rushing defense after allowing just 13.0 yards on the ground in week one at FIU.
• The Black Bears check in third in the CAA in scoring defense (14.0), first in the CAA and fifth in the nation in fumble recoveries (2), first in the CAA in first downs defense (13), tops in the CAA in red zone defense (50.0), and first in the CAA in turnover margin (+2).
NO TURNOVERS FOR YOU
• Over the last six games, Maine has a +7 turnover margin
-In 2022, Maine ended the season ranked third in the country (FCS) and first in the CAA with just nine total turnovers.
BLACK HOLE
• Maine's 'Black Hole' defense was impressive in the season opener. The Black Bears limited FIU to just 13 rush yards, shutout the Panthers in the second half, forced three turnovers, and added three sacks.
• The 13 rush yards surrendered by Maine were the fewest given up by the Black Bears since 2018 when they held Weber State to -1 rush yard in the FCS quarterfinal round.
• Maine's three takeaways were its most in six games as it also forced three in a win over Monmouth on Oct. 15, 2022.
• Maine's defense shutout the Panthers in the second half, marking the first time since Nov. 20, 2021 (at UNH) in which Maine shutout a team in the second half.
EWING SINGLE SEASON KICK RETURN RECORD
• In 2022, kick return specialist
Trevin Ewing broke Maine's all-time single season record for kickoff return yards with 764 total kick return yards.
• Ewing ended the 2022 season ranked 2nd in the CAA and 7th in the FCS nation for total kick return yardage.
• Ewing ranked
NEW FACES
• For the second consecutive season, Maine welcomes in six new coaches to its staff including a new offensive (Steve Cooper) and defensive (Jeff Commissiong) coordinators.
• Maine also welcomes in 37 total new faces to its roster including 10 transfers.
ROBERTSON BREAKDOWN
• Robertson currently stands just 226 yards away from 2,000 career passing yards.
• Robertson currently sits 17th on Maine's all-time passing yards list.
• Robertson is 474 yards away from moving past John Tursky (2,247) and into 16th on Maine's all-time passing yards list.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
• Junior defensive back Kahzir 'Buggs' Brown was named to the 2023 Preseason All-CAA honorable mention list.
A Maine Win Would:
...Be Maine's first over NDSU.
...Be Maine's first win in the state of North Dakota.
...Snap a four game road losing skid.
...Be Maine's fourth win over the Missouri Valley Conference.
...Be Maine's first win over a MVC member since 1989 (Youngstown State).
...Be Maine's highest ranked win in school history.
...Be Maine's highest ranked win since defeating Weber State in 2018.
Tale of the Tape
| Maine |
Category |
NDSU |
| 12.0 (12) |
Points |
35.0 (7) |
| 378.0 (7) |
Total Offense |
513.0 (2) |
| 165.0 (4) |
Rushing Yards |
337.0 (1) |
| 213.0 (7) |
Passing Yards |
176.0 (7) |
| 1/0 |
Rushing TDs/Passing TDs |
3/2 |
| 37:35 |
Offensive Time of Possession |
30:35 (5) |
| 14.0 (3) |
Points Allowed |
10.0 (5) |
| 305.0 (4) |
Total Defense |
338.0 (9) |
| 13.0 (1) |
Rushing Yards Allowed |
72.0 (3) |
| 292.0 (12) |
Passing Yards Allowed |
266.0 (10) |
| 0/2 |
Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed |
0/1 |
| 31.3 (9) |
3rd-Down Conversions |
57.1 (2) |
| 25.0 (6) |
3rd-Down Conversion Defense |
29.4 (6) |
| +2 (5) |
Turnover Margin |
+1 |
