The University of Maine scored a touchdown on the second play of the game on Saturday night.
The Black Bears never scored again.
Stony Brook University scored 19 unanswered points and dominated during the second half on its way to a 19-7 Colonial Athletic Association football victory over UMaine at Stony Brook, New York.
The offensive unit struggled mightily against the league’s stingiest offense. The Black Bears (2-4, 1-2 CAA) finished with only 135 total yards (18 via the run) and six first downs in the contest.
UMaine gained 73 of those yards on a single play, when sophomore quarterback Dan Collins hit tight end Jeremy Salmon on a long touchdown pass on the second play of the game. Coach Jack Cosgrove’s team managed only 59 yards the rest of the way.
The Bears were 1-for-12 on third down.
Stony Brook (3-4, 2-1 CAA) gave the Bears virtually nothing and responded with effective ball control on the offensive end. The Seawolves churned out 226 yards on the ground and finished with 366 overall.
The hosts also controlled the football for 41 of the game’s 60 minutes.
The Bears’ struggles were exacerbated by a handful of injuries. Collins (12-for-25 passing, 117 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception) was knocked out of the game when he was sacked early in the fourth quarter.
He reportedly sustained a right shoulder injury.
UMaine also lost starting senior free safety Khari Al-Mateen and wide receiver Jordan Dunn (shoulder), while junior tailback Nigel Jones and junior right guard Dan Carriker missed the game with injuries.
Freshman QB Drew Belcher ran four times for 12 yards and was 0-for-5 passing and was sacked once after coming on in relief. Dunn made five receptions for 19 yards.
Stacy Bedell sparked the Stony Brook run game with 23 carries for 127 yards with one score, while James Kenner netted 89 yards on 17 carries. Quarterback Conor Bednarski went 14-for-20 through the air good for 140 yards and one TD. Jahrie Level made six catches for 83 yards.
Linebacker Chris Mulumba Tshimanga was in on 12 tackles to head the UMaine defense. Cabrinni Goncalves had nine tackles and Trevor Bates of Westbrook posted seven.
Christian Ricard turned in six tackles for the Seawolves.
UMaine wasted no time taking the upper hand on the Collins-to-Salmon scoring pass. It was one of precious few offensive highlights.
The Black Bears were unable to move the ball almost at all as Stony Brook shut down the run and was able to keep consistent pressure on Collins, and then Belcher.
The hosts capitalized on good field position, starting at the UMaine 40. However, they had to settle for Przemyslaw Popek’s 22-yard field goal at cut the deficit to 7-3 with 7:08 left in the first half.
SBU held the ball for 13:31 of 15 minutes in the period.
The Seawolves began to generate some momentum with their offense, needing only four plays to race 65 yards to start the second half.
Bedell motored 24 yards for a TD to cap the drive as Stony Brook took the lead for keeps at 10-7.
Later in the quarter, the Seawolves manufactured a 10-play, 77-yard drive. Bednarski’s 10-yard scoring toss to Will Tye pushed the advantage to 16-7.
Popek provided some insurance with a 35-yard field goal at the 6:26 mark to end any suspense.
UMaine returns to action on Saturday when the Black Bears entertain Albany in the 12:30 p.m. Homecoming game on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium.