NEWARK, Del. – Maine Football led undefeated Delaware, 14-13, at the half but was unable to hold on as the Black Bears dropped a 44-21 decision to the Blue Hens on Saturday afternoon.

Maine trailed by just two with 12:00 left in the fourth quarter but Delaware concluded the game with 21 unanswered points to secure the victory.

Carter Peevy finished the afternoon 15-of-25 for 147 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. Tavion Banks and Jaharie Martin each registered touchdowns on the ground. Montigo Moss guided eight pass catchers for the Black Bears with four receptions for 51-yards and a touchdown.

Xavier Holmes had a career day on the defensive end for the Black Bears as he registered a career-high 13 tackles, two for loss, to go along with a sack. Robby Riobe, John Costanza, Christian Thomas, and Kesean Dyson added eight tackles apiece. 

The Blue Hens opened the scoring on their first offensive possession when Zach Marker hit Phil Lutz on a 56-yard strike with 13:08 left in the opening quarter.

Maine responded as it found the endzone with just 28-seconds left in the first quarter. Peevy set the Black Bears up inside the red zone with a 28-yard strike to Mo Irefin. Five plays later, a defensive pass interference call in the endzone set Maine up at the Delaware two where Martin would take a direct snap and rush in for the score.

After Maine's defense forced a three-and-out on a big third down sack from Holmes and Jeremaine Baker, the Black Bears would fumble on their next possession. Delaware took over at the Maine 15 before Marker's second touchdown pass of the first half found Jake Thaw. However, Devin Vaught exploded through the coverage to block the point after attempt as Delaware's lead would stand at 13-7.

Two possessions later, Maine's defense again forced a three-and-out on another sack from Holmes. Peevy and the offense went to work as Brian Santana-Fis' rush of 12 advanced the Black Bears to the Delaware 19-yard line. Peevy stood in the pocket on the next play before delivering a touchdown pass to Moss at the goal line. Joey Bryson's point after try gave Maine a 14-13 edge with 3:11 left in the half.

Delaware setup its two-minute, driving the ball down the field to the Maine two yard line. However, Maine's defense stepped up on both third and fourth down as the Black Bears were able to hold Delaware out of the endzone and take a 14-13 advantage into the break.

The Blue Hens advanced into the red zone midway through the first quarter but Maine's defense again held strong, holding Delaware to a 16-yard field goal. The kick regained the lead for the Blue Hens, 16-14.

Delaware extended its lead to 23-14 on a 40-yard rushing score by Jo'Nathan Silver with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter.

Trevin Ewing, the CAA leader in kickoff return average, set Maine up in Delaware territory following his 60-yard return. A defensive pass interference in the endzone again set Maine up on the one where Banks powered his way in for the touchdown. The score brought the Black Bears back within two.

Delaware would close the game with 21 unanswered points.

The Blue Hens pushed their lead back out to nine when Marker and Thaw connected for the second time on a four yard pass and catch.

On the ensuing possession, Delaware's Ty Davis jumped in front of a Peevy pass and snatched the interception before returning it 34-yards for a touchdown. 

The Black Bears return home on Saturday, Oct. 19 when they host Villanova at 1 p.m. on Homecoming Weekend in Orono. Tickets for the Homecoming game are available for purchase at GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207-581-BEAR, or in-person at the Maine Athletics box office.

-UMaine-