KINGSTON, R.I. – The University of Maine football team fell at No. 15 Rhode Island, 24-14, on Saturday afternoon.

The loss slips Maine to 4-4 on the season, 2-3 in CAA play, while Rhode Island improves to 7-1, 4-0 in the league.

Carter Peevy finished the day 29-for-39 with 279-yards and a touchdown. Peevy, who posted career-high marks in both completions and attempts, connected with 11 different receivers, led by Montigo Moss' career-high nine receptions for 80-yards. Cooper Heisey recorded his team-leading fourth touchdown reception.

Brian Santana-Fis posted a career day, setting new individual career marks in carries (15), rushing yards (89), receptions (5), and receiving yards (51), while adding his second rushing touchdown in as many weeks.

Maine's defense was led by Christian Thomas' six tackles while Jamaree Gibson, Kesean Dyson, and Shymell Davis each added five stops.

Maine, which held a slight edge (336-321) in total yards, finished the day 8-for-17 on third down.

The Black Bears controlled action in the first quarter, outgaining the Rams 127-40, and led by seven after one. 

After forcing a three-and-out, Peevy and the offense went to work at its own 10-yard line. The Black Bears converted a trio of third downs on the drive, moving down to the Rhode Island 23 on a 44-yard strike from Peevy to Molayo Irefin. An 11-yard scramble on third down set Maine up inside the Rams' 10-yard line before Peevy rolled out and found Heisey who dove over the pylon for a touchdown. 

Rhode Island knotted the score at seven when quarterback Devin Farrell called his own number for a one-yard rushing score, midway through the second quarter.

The Rams would force a three-and-out on Maine's next drive. Rhode Island's ensuing drive ended in another rushing score from Farrell, this time from six-yards out, as the Rams took their first lead of the game with 1:14 left in the first half.

The score would hold at the break as Maine trailed Rhode Island, 14-7, entering the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, Maine tied things up early in the fourth.

The Black Bears took advantage of good field position, at the Rhode Island 46-yard line, following a 16-yard punt by the Rams. Facing third and 10, Peevy hit Moss for the duo's eighth connection and a gain of 12. Four plays later, Santana-Fis began the first quarter by scampering into the end zone, untouched, for the game tying touchdown.

Rhode Island immediately answered. A 46-yard pass from Farrell to Tommy Smith carried the Rams down to the Maine three. Two plays later, Malik Grant took a direct snap, bounced outside, and crossed the goal line for the score as Rhode Island regained the lead, 21-14, with 12:25 remaining in regulation.

The Rams extended their lead to 10 on a 36-yard field goal from Ty Groff with 6:04 on the clock.

The Black Bears had two more possessions to cut into the lead but were unable to do so, falling on the road to the Rams by a final of 24-14.

Maine returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 2 when it travels to meet Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. EDT.

-UMaine-