The University of Maine football team rediscovered that winning feeling with an emphatic performance on Saturday afternoon.
Quarterback Dan Collins directed three early scoring drives and the Black Bears defense dominated as UMaine posted a 39-7 Colonial Athletic Association victory over Albany at Bob Ford Field in Albany, New York.
Collins efficiently completed 21 of 28 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score as the Black Bears rolled up 469 yards of offense.
“I think this is kind of a statement game for us,” Collins said. “It gives us a little bit of confidence. We’ve just got to out and keep working.”
The defense swarmed, holding the Great Danes to 172 yards — only five via the run. Cornerback Najee Goode made seven tackles, while tackle Pat Ricard had five stops, 4½ for a loss.
UMaine went 8-for-14 on third down and demonstrated excellent balance. Freshman Joe Fitzpatrick of North Yarmouth made his collegiate debut, gaining a team-high 63 yards on seven carries.
Collins was outstanding, finding Jordan Dunn 11 times for 97 yards and a TD. Micah Wright (5-105-1) and Jared Osumah (5-40) also produced. Backup quarterback Drew Belcher also was sharp, throwing for 75 yards and two scores on 7-for-8 accuracy.
“We got the right game, got the right coverages, got the right play calls and made some big plays,” Collins said.
UAlbany was plagued by its inability to make plays on offense. With the ground game negated, quarterback D.J. Crook went 17-for-30 with 167 yards, a TD and two interceptions.
Zee Roberson made nine catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Rayshan Clark piled up 18 tackles and an interception for the Great Danes.
UMaine scored on three straight second-half possessions to put the game away.
Sean Decloux kicked a 29-yard field goal and Wright pulled down a high, 33-yard TD pass from Belcher to make it 32-7 late in the third quarter.
Belcher later found Jaleel Reed on a 13-yard TD hookup early in the fourth.
The Bears had scored 20 first-quarter points en route to a 23-7 halftime advantage.
Collins found Jordan Dunn on an 11-yard fade ball for a score to make it 7-0 barely five minutes in.
After a three-and-out, UMaine struck quickly as Collins’ 52-yard throw to Wright set up their 5-yard TD hookup. The PAT was blocked.
On UAlbany’s next snap, freshman Sterling Sheffield picked off Crook. A 24-yard reverse run by Wright helped lead to Beckford’s 1-yard scoring dive that made it 20-0.
“It’s a big boost when the defense is getting stops and the offense is scoring,” said linebacker Randy Samuels. “Everybody plays better.”
The hosts broke the ice late in the half with a 10-play, 81-yard drive that culminated in a 6-yard scoring pass to get UAlbany within 20-7.
UMaine regained the momentum when Samuels intercepted Crook and returned it 27 yards. A 24-yard pass from Collins to Wright set up Decloux’s 18-yard field goal to end the half.