ORONO, Maine -- Maine steps out of conference play to travel to meet Merrimack on Saturday at 1 p.m. live on NESN+. The contest marks Maine's first trip to Merrimack in program history.
Broadcast Details:
Saturday's game will be live streamed on NESN+Â and can be heard locally on 92.9 The Ticket, in Portland on 100.5 FM and 1310 AM, and nationwide at GoBlackBears.com. The game will also be over the airwaves in Portland on 100.5 WLOB-FM as well as 1310 AM.
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- Maine is 1-0 all-time against Merrimack, winning a 2021 meeting in Orono by a final of 31-26. In that win, current Black Bear Shakur Smalls posted seven tackles with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Maine's Black Hole defense forced four turnovers (2 fumbles, 2 interceptions) in the win. The Black Bears enter play 14-2 against current/former members of the Northeast Conference, Merrimack's conference before becoming independent. Maine is 7-1 all-time against Central Connecticut State, 5-1 against Bryant (before their move to the CAA), 1-0 against Sacred Heart, and 1-0 against Merrimack. Maine has won four in a row against NEC member programs and 10-straight at home against the NEC.
- Maine is coming off a 51-22 loss in its home conference opener to Monmouth. The Black Bears dug an early hole in the contest, falling behind 27-8 in the first half. Jaharie Martin and Joe Gillette each scored rushing touchdowns in the loss while Shakur Smalls added a game-high 10 tackles.
- A year after only rushing for 100+ yards in four games while posting seven total rushing touchdowns on the year, Maine's rushing attack has shown much improvement in the early part of 2024. Maine has rushed for 100+ yards in each of its first three outings while posting five rushing touchdowns. Maine's ground attack is spearheaded by Jaharie Martin who ranks 15th in the CAA at 46.0 rush yards per game.
- Montigo Moss, who posted a game-high seven receptions against Monmouth, has five or more receptions in each of his last three outings. Moss checks in third in the CAA and 22nd in FCS at 5.7 receptions per game and ranks among the top-10 of league receivers in receiving yards per game (61.3).
- Through three games this season, the Black Bears check in second in the CAA and 16th in all of FCS at 17.0 yards per punt return. Junior kick returner Trevin Ewing, who has named CAA Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 16, took back a 98-yard kickoff return for a score against Monmouth. Ewing is one of the most dangerous return-men in the FCS, ranking tops in the CAA and second in FCS at 38.2 yards per kickoff return.
- Merrimack, which began the season 0-2 with losses at Air Force and UConn, picked up its first win of the season last weekend with a 31-21 decision at Bucknell. The Warriors, who opened with three-straight road games, rushed for 258 yards in the win led by Jermaine Corbett's 166 rush yards and one touchdown. For the second-straight week, the Black Bears will face a former Maine quarterback as Ayden Pereira will get the start under center for the Warriors. Pereira is 16-for-32 on the year with 182 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Merrimack enters action averaging 18.0 points per game while allowing 35.0. Merrimack's 2.33 sacks per game ranks 31st in the FCS.
A Maine Win Would:
...Be Maine's second against Merrimack (1-0).
...Be Maine's first win at Merrimack.
...Be Maine's 15th win over a current/former NEC program (14-2).
...Match Maine's win total from a year ago.
Tale of the Tape
| Maine (CAA rank) |
Category |
Merrimack (Ind.) |
| 21.0 (9) |
Points |
18.0 (2) |
| 318.3 (14) |
Total Offense |
300.3 (2) |
| 130.3 (10) |
Rushing Yards |
165.3 (2) |
| 188.0 (12) |
Passing Yards |
135.0 (1) |
| 3/4 |
Rushing TDs/Passing TDs |
3/3 |
| 29:25 (10) |
Offensive Time of Possession |
31:25 (2) |
| 35.3 (13) |
Points Allowed |
35.0 (2) |
| 487.7 (16) |
Total Defense |
373.7 (2) |
| 245.7 (16) |
Rushing Yards Allowed |
180.0 (2) |
| 242.0 (13) |
Passing Yards Allowed |
193.7 (2) |
| 9/6 |
Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed |
8/7 |
| 40.0 (7) |
3rd-Down Conversions |
33.3 (1) |
| 56.8 (10) |
3rd-Down Conversion Defense |
42.9 (2) |
| -2 (12) |
Turnover Margin |
0 (2) |
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