ORONO, Maine — An open date provided the University of Maine football team with the opportunity to rest up and prepare well for its game against Richmond.
The time off appears to have been just what the Black Bears needed.
UMaine’s opportunistic defense forced five turnovers and the special teams added a blocked punt for a touchdown on Saturday afternoon as the Black Bears shocked eighth-ranked Richmond 33-20 in a Colonial Athletic Association game at chilly Alfond Stadium.
“It had been a point of emphasis coming into the game,” senior safety Khari Al-Mateen said of the turnovers as UMaine had only eight in its first eight games.
“We were able to take advantage of those plays and we played together as a team,” added Al-Mateen, who forced a fumble and made an interception to complement eight tackles.
Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Bears (4-5, 3-3 CAA) pulled the upset only a week after the Spiders (7-3, 4-2 CAA) had knocked off then-No. 3 Villanova 10-9 to extend its win streak to five games.
“I thought we had some energy about us that when you have a bye at this time of year you should have because all the other teams are going through the pounding, week to week, of college football,” said Cosgrove, whose squad earned its third straight win over Richmond.
UMaine excelled in all phases, but it was a scintillating performance by the defense that set the tone. The Bears made four interceptions and forced a fumble, converting on four of the turnovers into 18 points.
Linebacker Cabrinni Goncalves posted eight tackles, while junior end Trevor Bates of Westbrook made six tackles (1 sack) and returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown. Chris Mulumba Tshimanga (5 tackles) and Randy Samuels each made an interception.
Ben Davis blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone, accounting for another score.
“Having that much time to prepare is a great advantage,” Al-Mateen said. “We’ve got two weeks to watch film, two weeks to practice against their looks.”
The offense did its part by moving the chains and playing turnover-free. Freshman quarterback Drew Belcher was methodical in directing the offense. He completed 14 of 27 passes for 119 yards and carried 21 times for 92 yards and a TD.
Richmond had held Villanova QB John Robertson to 65 yards.
“It was kind of ironic how well they were able to run their quarterback today,” said Spiders coach Danny Rocco. “Last week we played against a quarterback that is as well-recognized as any quarterback in the country at this level and we really did not let him run the ball. I give them credit.”
Senior wideout Damarr Aultman led the Bears with seven catches for 49 yards.
Richmond outgained UMaine 338-298 behind QB Michael Rocco, who was 23-for-47 passing with 280 yards and a score, but he was often under pressure and threw the four “picks.”
The Spiders raced 75 yards on 11 plays to open the game and Rocco’s 2-yard dive put them in front 6-0 (the PAT kick missed).
Bates helped turn the momentum less than four minutes later when he stepped in front of a short pass by Rocco and took it in for a touchdown.
“I kind of backed out of my pass rush and I don’t think he saw me at first and then I just made a play on it,” said Bates, whose three interceptions lead the team.
On the ensuing kickoff Al-Mateen’s hit forced Jacobi Green to fumble and UMaine’s Austin Brown recovered at the 17. It led to Sean Decloux’s 26-yard field goal, which gave the Bears the lead for good (9-6) with 3:19 left in the quarter.
The score stood until late in the first half when Davis eluded Richmond’s protection, blocked D.J. Helkowski’s punt and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown.
“I kind of came in untouched,” Davis said of UR’s first punt. “I tried to take advantage of the situation and go for the block.
“It was a good momentum switch,” he added.
A three-and-out by the Spiders gave Belcher and the offense another shot with 2:10 to play. The Bears marched 70 yards on 10 plays, with Belcher completing five of eight throws for 48 yards.
After a personal foul against Richmond provided a first down, Belcher found Jared Osumah for an 18-yard hookup that set up Nigel Beckford’s 7-yard scoring scamper with 10 seconds left in the half.
Decloux’s PAT made it 23-6.
“They did a great job in protection,” Belcher said of the line, “and the wide receivers obviously made plays.”
Richmond got back within 10 points (23-13) with an 89-yard drive late in the third that culminated in Rocco’s 14-yard scoring strike to Reggie Diggs (8 catches, 87 yds.).
Three minutes later, Sherrod Baltimore tipped a Rocco pass and Mulumba Tshimanga snared it. UMaine cashed in after Belcher’s 25-yard run on third down set up his 1-yard TD dive that made it 30-13.
The Spiders countered on Seth Fisher’s 3-yard scoring run with 7:01 left, but Al-Mateen’s leaping interception and 42-yard return set up Decloux’s clinching 36-yard field goal with 2:20 to play.
UMaine travels to CAA newcomer Elon next Saturday at 3 p.m.