WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. — The University of Maine football team spent much of Saturday afternoon trying to regain the momentum after an early missed field goal.
The Black Bears finally did so, driving 80 yards on 12 plays into a wind-driven rain in the fourth quarter to pull out a 21-17 football victory over Monmouth University at Kessler Field.
UMaine (1-1) went on top on a fourth-and-21 play from the 23-yard line. Quarterback Adam Farkes rolled to his left and threw to the end zone, where the ball was tipped by a Monmouth defender and was snared by UM tight end Derek Buttles.
Brian Harvey’s PAT kick gave the Bears the margin of victory.
The Bears rallied after the Hawks (0-2) had marched 74 yards to take the lead and the momentum on the previous possession.
Tailback Jhamal Fluellen paced the Black Bears with 102 rushing yards on 26 carries, while Farkes passed for 207 yards and three scores.
Tailback David Sinisi rambled for 182 yards on 29 carries to lead Monmouth.
Farkes found Landis Williams on a 16-yard TD toss in the second quarter, then hooked up with Jeremy Kelley on a 27-yard scoring pass late in the third quarter.
Sinisi had a 33-yard TD run and Fred Weingart booted a 27-yard field goal for the Hawks.