Desperation proved an effective motivator on Saturday night for the University of Maine football team.
The Black Bears were on the verge of dropping their Colonial Athletic Association opener, but executed with the game on the line and were rewarded with a 27-24 victory at Towson University.
The Black Bears (2-2, 1-0 CAA) converted all five of their fourth-down situations, three of those coming on the game-winning drive, to stun the Tigers at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
“We did what we had to do when we truly had to get it done,” UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove said on Monday’s CAA teleconference.
“We went for it five times on fourth down and got all five,” he added. “It’s maybe a sign of desperation when you’re in those situations. You’ve either got to get through it or you’re off the field.”
Cosgrove was quick to point out that the offense was only 2-for-12 on third down.
Sophomore quarterback Dan Collins and the offense demonstrated its ability to execute under duress during a 12-play, 72-yard scoring march.
Collins (19-for-29 passing, 225 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception) went only 5-for-11 on the last drive, but three of those came on fourth down. That included a 36-yard scoring strike to Jordan Dunn with 52.4 seconds left.
“I think it’s going to give us a lot of confidence as an offense and we’ve just got to keep it going,” Collins said.
“It will be great having a winner’s mentality all week in practice and watching film knowing you won a game in the end is a lot better,” he added.
Saturday’s game was an exercise in inconsistency for the offense, which scored 21 first-half points, then struggled mightily in the second half.
Towson dictated play behind a potent run game and it’s hard-charging defense had the Black Bears offense reeling.
End Ryan Delaire had four tackles for a loss and three sacks as the Tigers created havoc on the UMaine passing game and forced UMaine quarterbacks Collins and Drew Belcher to make hurried throws and absorb numerous hits.
“We’re happy to get the win, although I would have to say it seemed very unlikely that was going to happen as the game moved along,” Cosgrove said.
The defense made the late scoring drive possible. Linebacker Chris Mulumba Tshimanga’s strip sack of Connor Frazier at the UM 15-yard line led to a 33-yard fumble return by Trevor Bates of Westbrook.
It was almost six minutes later, after a UMaine punt and a Towson missed field goal, that Collins and company finally executed the two-minute drill.
The line gave Collins and the receivers enough time to make the fourth-down plays. They included a 21-yard completion to Jared Osumah, a 10-yard toss to Jeremy Salmon and the 36-yard touchdown bomb to Dunn.
“Danny had his best outing so far in terms of throwing the football,” said Cosgrove, who characterized the winning drive as coming “simply out of nowhere.”
“I think there was more confidence in us throwing and catching the football Saturday then there’s been this year, which was how we came through in those situations,” he said.
The rally demonstrated growth by a youthful offensive line that includes freshman Jamil Demby at left tackle and redshirt freshman Isaiah Brooks at right tackle. Each was challenged by Towson’s defensive front.
The Black Bears also showed development among their young wide receivers. Dunn made six catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Osumah (2-56), Micah Wright (1-20) and tight end Jeremy Salmon (1-10) turned in big plays.
Collins’ efforts with the game on the line came as he again shared quarterback duties with Belcher, a freshman who made his collegiate debut a week earlier as part of a platoon at Boston College.
On Saturday, Collins directed the offense on nine possessions while Belcher played two series. The rookie went 3-for-5 passing (47 yards) and was sacked three times.
The UMaine staff isn’t likely to punt on its plan to utilize both quarterbacks.
Not only have the coaches said Belcher has shown tremendous potential, his participation means he has used one of his four years of eligibility. There’s no turning back now.
The Black Bears hope to parlay their success into a strong performance in Saturday’s 12:30 p.m. home game against sixth-ranked Villanova (3-1, 1-0 CAA).
“It’s hopefully a very special win for our guys that will help us grow a little bit as a football team,” Cosgrove said. “We still have a long way to go, but steps like this are a part of the process.”