ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine football team (3-3) returns to Alfond Stadium on Homecoming Weekend to host #5 Villanova (5-1) on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m., presented by Bangor Savings Bank and Bouchard Cleaning & Restoration DKI. Tickets for this Saturday's Homecoming game remain available at GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207-581-BEAR, or in-person at the Maine Athletics box office.

Promotions:

• It's Homecoming Weekend in Orono! Outside of athletics, there are several fun activities and events taking place! For all of your Homecoming information, please visit UMaineHomecoming.com.
• Fans will receive a commemorative rally towel, while supplies last, presented by Bangor Savings Bank
• The annual Homecoming Royalty winners will be announce prior to kickoff
• Hannaford Kids Zone will be open in the north endzone with yard games, inflatables, and poster making stations
• UCU 'Ending Hunger Campaign' - fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support this cause! We thank you in advance for your contributions

Tailgate:
Tailgate lots will open at 9:00 a.m. for Saturday's game. For more information on tailgating, and all game day FAQs, please click here. We expect high demand for tailgate spots on Homecoming Weekend. Limited tailgating space is available. It is encouraged, if you plan to tailgate, to arrive early to lineup on College Avenue on gameday.
 

Broadcast Details:
Saturday's game will be live streamed on FloFootball and can be heard locally on 92.9 FM The Ticket, in the Portland markets on 100.5 FM and 1310 AM, and nationwide at GoBlackBears.com. The game will also be televised locally in the Orono area on FOX 22.
 

• Maine returns to Orono for Homecoming Weekend and looks for its third win in its past four outings, and second over a ranked opponent this season, when it welcomes #5 Villanova to Alfond Stadium. A win for Maine would mark its highest ranking victory since it knocked off #3 Weber State (2018).
• Maine and Villanova meet for the 26th time, and first since 2022. The Black Bears enter action 10-15 all-time against Villanova as the Wildcats are currently riding a three-game win streak in the series. Maine is 6-7 all-time at home against Villanova with its last win in Orono over the Wildcats coming in 2018. Villanova has won seven of the last eight meetings. The two teams first met in 1988, a 20-17 Maine win at Villanova. The Wildcats have won six of the last seven games in Orono. Today's meeting marks the third-straight meeting in Orono for the two clubs as the two teams have not played at Villanova since 2019. Maine's last road win in the series came in 2013. In the last meeting (2022), current Villanova QB Connor Watkins threw four touchdown passes while current Black Bear Montigo Moss recorded a touchdown reception. The game marked head coach Jordan Stevens' fourth career game at the helm for the Black Bears.
• Maine, which has won two of its last three, is coming off a 44-21 loss at undefeated Delaware. The Black Bears trailed by just two with 12:00 to play at Delaware but were the victim of 21 unanswered points by the Blue Hens to close the game out. Tavion Banks and Jaharie Martin each registered rushing touchdowns in the win while Montigo Moss led eight Maine pass catchers with four receptions, including a touchdown. Defensively, Xavier Holmes led the way with a career-high 13 tackles, including a career-best 1.5 sacks. His 13 individual tackles were the most individual stops by a Black Bears since 2021 (Ray Miller - 16). Five Black Bears (Holmes, Costanza, Riobe, Vaught, C. Thomas) set career-highs in single game tackles.
• Villanova enters play on a two-game win streak after suffering its only loss on the season at Maryland (38-20) back in week four. The Wildcats, coming off their bye, feature the CAA's top defense as they enter play allowing just 17.5 points per game and check in second in yardage surrendered at 327.0. The Wildcats have 10 takeaways on the season and rank ninth in all of FCS, second in the CAA, with a +7 turnover margin. Villanova ranks third in the CAA in rushing offense (205.3) behind David Avit who is averaging 7.5 yards per carry.