University of Maine
Elon
PREVIEW: Football returns to CAA action on Saturday at Elon
9/24/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
Black Bears are 1-0 in the CAA
ORONO, Maine --Â The University of Maine football program returns to CAA action on Saturday, Sept. 26 as they travel to Elon.
Broadcast Details:
Saturday's game will be live streamed on FloCollege. The game can be heard locally in Bangor on 95.7 FM, in the Portland markets on 100.5 FM and 1310 AM, and nationwide at GoBlackBears.com and on the TuneIn app.
| Maine (1-3, 1-0 CAA) at Elon (3-1, 1-0 CAA) |
| Date & Time | Saturday, Sep. 26 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Venue |
Rhode Stadium (14,000) - Elon, N.C. |
| Watch | Web Stream: FloCollege |
| Listen | 95.7 FMÂ (Bangor) // 100.5 FM (Portland) // 1310 AM (Portland) |Â GoBlackBears.com |
| Live Stats | GoBlackBears.com |
| Game Notes | Â Maine |
| X | @BlackBearsFB |
Down to the Wire -- The Black Bears are coming off of a performance against FBS opponent Boston College that nearly saw the Black Bears with their first win over an FBS program since 2021.
After trailing 16-0 in the first quarter, Maine found their rhythm on both side of the Ball as they outscored Boston College 16-6 over the final three quarters of action. Maine forced two takeaways on the day and another two turnovers on downs while the offense found the end zone twice on two drive that were 75+ yards and over 10 plays each.
Four Straight Games of Takeaways -- The Black Bears are on the best defenses in the FCS to open up the season in terms of forcing takeaways. Maine has forced eight turnovers through four games, which is the 15th-best mark in the FCS and the second-highest mark in the CAA.
Their eight takeaways are split with five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. The three fumble recoveries is the 20th-most in the FCS and second-most in the CAA while their five interceptions is the 11th-best in the FCS and also 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 nine sacks, the 33rd-best mark in the FCS and third-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
After serving as a backup linebacker in his first season with the Black Bears, Sam Oppenheimer has continued to build upon his strong start to the season week after week.
He ranks 10th in nation with 43 tackles and third with 29 solo tackles.Â
His solo tackles lead the CAA while his total tackles are the 10th-most in the FCS.
He also has forced a fumble and has two interceptions 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 16 receptions, 159 receiving yards and three total touchdowns.
His 80 rushing yards ranks second on the team.
He is coming off of a two-touchdown performance against Boston College in Week 3.
TAKING AWAY THE BALL
Through four games on the season, the Black Bears defense has eight takeaways, which have been made by seven different players.
Leb by Oppenheimer's two interceptions, Brayden Isaiah, Chris Bacon and Jamaree Gibson have recorded an interception on the season while Jeremiah 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 two sacks and five tackles-for-loss.
His five TFL's are the fourth-most in the CAA and rank him inside the top-40 in the FCS while his two sacks is the sixth-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 first 2-0 CAA start for the Black Bears under Coach Stevens.
... The second-straight win over Elon for the Black Bears.
| Maine (CAA) | Category | Elon (CAA) |
| 13.5 (12) | Points | 28.5Â (3) |
| 262.0 (12) | Total Offense | 369.5 (3) |
| 76.9 (12) | Rushing Yards | 145.0 (5) |
| 186.0 (7) | Passing Yards | 224.5 (6) |
| 2/4 | Rushing TDs/Passing TDs | 9/6 |
| 28:28 (10) | Offensive Time of Possession | 31:23 (4) |
| 29.5 (5) | Points Allowed | 14.8 (1) |
| 418.8 (9) | Total Defense | 245.0 (1) |
| 202.0 (9) | Rushing Yards Allowed | 80.5 (1) |
| 216.8 (9) | Passing Yards Allowed | 164.5 (2) |
| 6/6 | Rushing/Passing TDs Allowed | 1/6 |
| 33.9 (11) | 3rd-Down Conversions | 35.8 (8) |
| 33.3 (3) | 3rd-Down Conversion Defense | 23.7 (1) |
| 0 (T3) | Turnover Margin | -5 (T12) |
-UMaine-
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