ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine football team looks to knock off another ranked opponent for the second consecutive week as it travels to meet No. 15 Rhode Island on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Broadcast Details:
Saturday's game will be live streamed on FloFootball and can be heard locally on 92.9 The Ticket, in Portland on 100.5 FM and 1310 AM, and nationwide at GoBlackBears.com.
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- Maine hits the road for its 102nd meeting with Rhode Island as the Black Bears look to knock-off their second consecutive ranked opponent and third ranked foe of the season.
- The Black Bears square off with Rhode Island, its second longest tenured opponent behind New Hampshire (110). Maine owns a 62-36-3 mark all-time against the Rams and have won 14 of the last 16 meetings and 19 of the last 22. Maine is 25-17-0 all-time on the road against the Rams. Maine has won seven of the last eight games played at Meade Stadium as the Black Bears had their seven-game road win streak in the series snapped in 2022 with a 26-22 loss at Rhody. The two teams first met in 1911, a 3-0 victory by the Rams in Orono. Prior to the 2022 contest, Maine had won 14 straight in the head-to-head series. In its last trip to URI (2022), Maine led 10-0 but URI took the lead with 7:17 left in regulation and was able to hold off Maine on its final drive. Rhode Island defeated Maine in last season's showdown in Orono, 34-17, in a game which was moved to Friday evening due to Hurricane Lee. In lats season's meeting, Maine trailed 24-17 at the half but was unable to comeback as it was shutout in the second half. Maine's defense forced two turnovers and posted 8.0 tackles for loss in the contest. The win marked the first time Maine had lost back-to-back games to Rhode Island since the 1998-1999 seasons.
- Maine is coming off a convincing, 35-7 victory over then No. 5 ranked Villanova. Following the win, Maine was named the Stats Perform FCS Team of the Week. The Black Bears, who led by as many as 35 in the contest and shutout Villanova over the game's first 58:10 of action, posted seven sacks (highest total since 2019) and forced four turnovers (highest since 2021) in the win. Maine's defense limited Villanova to just 35-yards on the ground after the Wildcats entered the contest averaging 205.3 rush yards per game. Carter Peevy finished the day 16-of-18 with 173 yards and three touchdowns.
- Rhode Island, currently riding a five-game win streak, is coming off a 26-9 win at then No. 19/24 New Hampshire. The Rams defense held UNH without a touchdown until the final minute of play as they forced two Wildcat turnovers and blocked a punt for a safety to earn their first win at New Hampshire since 1995. Rhody rushed for 171-yards and a touchdown in the win, led by Malik Grant's 127-yards on 25 carries.
- Maine has posted a pair of wins over ranked opponents this season as it defeated No. 21 UAlbany 34-20 before handing No.5 Villanova a 35-7 decision. Maine's win over Villanova marked its highest-ranked victory since knocking off No. 3 Weber State on the road in the 2018 FCS quarterfinal round. Maine is looking for its first back-to-back ranked wins since it defeated No. 8 Jacksonville State and No. 3 Weber State in the 2018 playoffs. The 2018 season also marked the last time Maine registered wins over three or more ranked opponents in one season.
A Maine Win Would:
...Be Maine's 63rd win over Rhode Island.
...Be Maine's 14th win in its last 17 games against URI.
...Be Maine's 20th win in its last 23 outings against the Rams.
...Be Maine's 8th win in its last nine trips to Meade Stadium.
...Be Maine's 26th overall win at home against Rhode Island.
...Be Maine's first back-to-back wins over ranked opponents since 2018
...Be Maine's first time defeating three ranked opponents in one season sine 2018.
Tale of the Tape
| Maine (CAA rank) |
Category |
Rhode Island (CAA rank) |
| 25.6 (7) |
Points |
24.6 (8) |
| 314.0 (14) |
Total Offense |
347.1 (10) |
| 125.0 (12) |
Rushing Yards |
157.0 (9) |
| 189.0 (12) |
Passing Yards |
190.1 (11) |
| 10/10 |
Rushing TDs/Passing TDs |
13/8 |
| 31:34 (4) |
Offensive Time of Possession |
25:53 (16) |
| 27.4 (10) |
Points Allowed |
24.1 (8) |
| 370.0 (10) |
Total Defense |
339.3 (5) |
| 158.9 (7) |
Rushing Yards Allowed |
132.1 (4) |
| 211.1 (10) |
Passing Yards Allowed |
207.1 (8) |
| 13/10 |
Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed |
8/12 |
| 42.3 (6) |
3rd-Down Conversions |
40.9 (9) |
| 47.7 (14) |
3rd-Down Conversion Defense |
41.2 (10) |
| +3 (5) |
Turnover Margin |
-9 (15) |
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