University of Maine
Sacred Heart
PREVIEW: Black Bears host Sacred Heart in CAA matchup
10/1/2026 3:30:00 PM | Football
First of three-straight home games for Maine
ORONO, Maine --Â The University of Maine football program is set to host Sacred Heart on Saturday, Oct. 3 as part of Friends and Family weekend at UMaine.
Broadcast Details:
Saturday's game will be live streamed on FloCollege. The game can be heard locally in Bangor on 92.9 The Ticket, in the Portland markets on 100.5 FM and 1310 AM, and nationwide at GoBlackBears.com and on the TuneIn app.
Promotions:
Saturday will be Military Appreciation Day for the Black Bears, presented by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. Military personnel and veterans with proper identification are asked to call the ticket office at 207-581-BEAR to reserve complimentary tickets for themselves and their immediate family members. Ticket(s) may also be picked up by visiting the UMaine Athletics box office, located at Alfond Arena.
The Hannaford Kids Zone will be located in front of Alfond Arena.
For tickets to Saturday's football game, visit GoBlackBears.com/Tickets or call 207-581-BEAR.
| Maine (1-3, 1-1 CAA) vs Sacred Heart (1-3, 1-2 CAA) |
| Date & Time | Saturday, Oct. 3 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Venue |
Morse Field at Alfond Stadium (7,541) - Orono, Maine |
| Watch | Web Stream: FloCollege |
| Listen | 92.9 The Ticket (Bangor) // 100.5 FM (Portland) // 1310 AM (Portland) |Â GoBlackBears.com |
| Live Stats | GoBlackBears.com |
| Game Notes | Â Maine |
| X | @BlackBearsFB |
CAA Battle -- The Black Bears are looking to pick up their second CAA victory of the season after having defeated Towson in week 0, 21-18.
Rashawn Marshall has rushed for 186 yards across the two CAA games on the season, scoring two touchdowns, one in each contest.
Maine is coming off of a tough loss at Elon in their second CAA game of the season by a final score of 43-17.
Five Straight Games of Takeaways -- The Black Bears are on the best defenses in the FCS on the season in terms of forcing takeaways. Maine has forced nine turnovers through five games, which is the 20th-best mark in the FCS and the second-highest mark in the CAA.
Their nine takeaways are split with six interceptions and three fumble recoveries. The three fumble recoveries is the 35th-most in the FCS and third-most in the CAA while their six interceptions is the 13th-best in the FCS and the second-most in the CAA.
To go along with their takeaways, the Black Bears have been getting to the quarterback over the course of the first five games, having come away with 10 sacks, the 39rd-best mark in the FCS and fourth-best in the CAA.
CAA Victory in Week 0
For the first time since the 2024 season, the Black Bears secured their first win of the season in their first game of the season, defeating Towson 21-18. It was the first week 0 game under Head Coach Jordan Stevens and the first time the Black Bears had won their CAA opener under Stevens.
OPPENHEIMER LEADS THE GROUP
Sam Oppenheimer has continued to build upon his strong start to the season week after week.
He ranks 13th in nation with 49 tackles and fourth with 32 solo tackles.Â
His solo tackles lead the CAA while his total tackles ranks second in the conference.
He also has forced a fumble, has two interceptions and three TLF's on the season.
DUAL-THREAT LAUGHLIN
Nick Laughlin has emerged as one of the most impactful players in the Black Bears offense, both as a running back and as a receiver.
On the season, he paces the Black Bears offense with 19 receptions, 189 receiving yards and three total touchdowns.
His 114 rushing yards ranks second on the team.
In week 3, he had a two-touchdown game against FBS opponent Boston College, both being receiving scores.
TAKING AWAY THE BALL
Through five games on the season, the Black Bears defense has nine takeaways, which have been made by seven different players.
Leb by Oppenheimer's two interceptions, Brayden Isaiah, Chris Bacon, Jeremiah McGill and Jamaree Gibson have recorded an interception on the season while McGill, Bryce Purnell and Jake Kucera have recovered a fumble.
Oppenheimer, Kye Pressley and Ta'Kai Chisolm have forced the fumbles for the Black Bears.
BACON IN THE BACKFIELD
Chris Bacon has been one of the top players getting into the backfield in the CAA in 2026.
He leads the Black Bears with three sacks and six tackles-for-loss.
His five TFL's are the fourth-most in the CAA and rank him 30th in the FCS in the FCS while his three sacks are the fifth-most in the conference.
CLOSE CALL
Since 2013, Maine is 31-23 in games decided by seven points or less.
Maine is 1-1 in 2026 in one possession games, beating Towson 21-18 in Week 0 and losing to Boston College 22-16 in Week 3.
A MAINE WIN WOULD BE...
... The second CAA victory of the season for the Black Bears.
... The second-straight win over Sacred Heart for Maine.
| Maine (CAA) | Category | Sacred Heart (CAA) |
| 14.2 (13) | Points | 18.8 (9) |
| 272.6 (12) | Total Offense | 339.8 (5) |
| 94.2 (12) | Rushing Yards | 179.5 (2) |
| 178.4 (9) | Passing Yards | 160.3 (11) |
| 3/5 | Rushing TDs/Passing TDs | 3/6 |
| 28:28 (10) | Offensive Time of Possession | 31:23 (4) |
| 32.2 (9) | Points Allowed | 26.3 (3) |
| 410.2 (10) (13) | Total Defense | 325.5 (3) |
| 193.2 (8) | Rushing Yards Allowed | 143.8 (4) |
| 217.0 (10) | Passing Yards Allowed | 181.8 (6) |
| 6/6 | Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed | 1/6 |
| 33.8 (10) | 3rd-Down Conversions | 34.5 (8) |
| 27.8 (2) | 3rd-Down Conversion Defense | 34.8 (3) |
| 0 (T3) | Turnover Margin | -1 (7) |
-UMaine-
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