The University of Maine was hoping to take advantage of Tulane’s early season struggles on Saturday night.
But the Black Bears had no real answers for the Green Wave’s versatile and explosive offense.
Tulane used several big plays while scoring 35 points combined in the second and third quarters on the way to a convincing 38-7 football victory at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans.
The Green Wave (1-2) took advantage of a speedy and tough corps of running backs and receivers to burn UMaine on three touchdown plays of 39 yards or more on the way to amassing 497 yards of total offense.
Tulane converted 10 of 17 third-down situations, while the Black Bears went 3-for-15.
“That was a speed that we hadn’t seen even at Boston College, with some of their skill guys,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove.
“We were cautioning our guys as we watched them play Georgia Tech and Duke to not listen to the noise and watch the tape, because there are some talented players on that team,” he added.
UMaine (0-2), which played its second straight game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, managed only 296 yards and was unable to string together many first downs or break any big gainers.
One key concern for UMaine was a fourth-quarter injury to starting quarterback Dan Collins (11-for-25, 131 yards passing, 2 interceptions). The junior was seen with a large wrap on his throwing (right) hand and did not return to action.
Collins was under considerable pressure most of the night, which resulted in hurried throws. However, wideout Micah Wright picked up 107 yards on eight catches.
Sophomore tailback Nigel Beckford returned after a one-game suspension to gain 58 yards on 13 carries, but Tulane kept the Bears’ ground game under wraps.
Tulane enjoyed tremendous production after spotting the Bears a 7-0 lead. Dontrell Hilliard sparked the run game with 8 carries for 117 yards and two scores, while back Sherman Badie picked up 71 yards on six attempts with one TD.
Quarterback Tanner Lee made a handful of clutch throws and wound up 16-for-27 with 277 yards and a TD. Badie caught five passes for 118 yards and Teddy Veal made five receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.
“They were releasing the ball very quick tonight,” Cosgrove said. “We were pressuring them, and they were getting the ball out to their running back very fast.”
Senior end Trevor Bates of Westbrook led the UMaine defense with eight tackles, while linebacker Randy Samuels posted eight stops, including a sack, and made an interception. Safeties Sinmisola Demuren and Jason Matovu were in on six tackles each.
The Black Bears found themselves in a significant 24-7 hole at halftime.
The Green Wave piled up 307 total yards, including 180 through the air, while UMaine had only 120 yards overall.
UMaine scored first, driving 75 yards on seven plays. Beckford peeled off a 16-yard run and Collins hit Wright on a 35-yard pass over the middle.
After converting a third-and-5 from the 5, Collins ran off the left side and barely got the ball across the plane of the goal line. Sean Decloux’s PAT made it 7-0 with only 3:04 gone in the contest.
The Green Wave dominated from that point on, generating momentum while mixing a power run game and several well-timed pass plays.
The hosts cut the deficit to 7-3 on their first possession, going 69 yards before Pat Ricard batted down a pass by Lee. Andrew Dirocco booted a 23-yard field goal at the 7:53 mark.
UMaine’s offense struggled the rest of the half. In the meantime, Tulane got things rolling nicely.
Tulane’s second possession consisted of 15 plays and covered 80 yards. Lee’s 22-yard pass to Veal was among the big gainers, before Lazedrick Thompson carried the ball on the last five plays, including a 1-yard TD plunge. Dirocco’s PAT made it 10-7 early in the second quarter.
The Bears managed a first down, but punted again on their next possession. The hosts needed only six plays to score as Badie shook a tackle near the line of scrimmage and sprinted 56 yards for a score. It was 17-7 midway through the quarter.
Poor field position and a three-and-out by UMaine opened the door for another Tulane TD. On the third play, Veal took a short pass from Lee, eluded two or three defenders and went 39 yards for a touchdown with 5:11 to play.
“In the second quarter, we gave up the big plays, I didn’t think we tackled very well, and we didn’t sustain anything on offense to help our defense,” Cosgrove said.
The Green Wave ended the suspense in the third quarter. First, they marched 94 yards and scored on Hilliard’s 5-yard run to make it 31-7.
Less than six minutes later, Hilliard went around left end and sprinted 85 yards untouched to add an exclamation point with 1:29 remaining in the third quarter.
UMaine received a $325,000 guarantee to make the trip to New Orleans and face Tulane, which competes in the American Athletic Conference.
The Black Bears return to action Saturday at Alfond Stadium in Orono when they take on Rhode Island at 3:30 p.m. in their first Colonial Athletic Association contest.