James DeMartini only trotted onto Morse Field four times Saturday.
The junior made the most of his limited appearances for the University of Maine football team.
DeMartini averaged 50.0 yards on four punts, including a 63-yarder, to help the Black Bears earn a 23-10 Colonial Athletic Association football victory over Stony Brook University at Alfond Stadium.
“He’s a young man who changed the field position tremendously on Saturday,” UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove said. “He’s certainly come in and kind of been an unknown little secret here.”
DeMartini, a transfer from Dean Junior College, continues to excel in his first Division I season.
“You saw those bombs he hit Saturday — they were impressive. We’re fortunate in a game where field position was so important that he was able to do that for us,” Cosgrove said.
Led by DeMartini, UMaine ranks second in the CAA with a net of 37.7 yards per punt, which subtracts return yardage from the total punt yardage. He is tied for sixth in average yards per punt at 41.8.
DeMartini enrolled at UMaine in 2013, but an issue with his high school transcripts forced him to go the junior college route.
“He told us he was coming back, he’d get the job done (academically), and we promised we’d continue to recruit with that in mind,” Cosgrove said.
“We knew what we were getting from the previous experience,” he added. “He’s lived up to that, and certainly we’re excited about his performance of late, especially.”
Decloux extends record
Black Bears place-kicker Sean Decloux continued to build his resume Saturday, accounting for 11 points with his right leg.
The senior connected on field goals of 43, 19 and 36 yards and converted both PAT kicks. He did have a 44-yard field-goal attempt blocked on the final play of the first half.
Decloux matched his career long field goal of 43 yards against Stony Brook and pushed his program-record total to 43.
He is 10-for-14 this fall (71.4 percent) on field goals and 12-for-14 on PATs (857).
“I’m going to try to stay on that (the successes) and let the misses roll off my back,” Decloux said. “Hopefully, it will be more ups than downs from this point on.”
UMaine fan events planned
UMaine’s basketball teams are gearing up for two preseason events during the next week.
The Black Bear Fan Jam Youth Clinic and Season Ticket Holder Appreciation event is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. It will feature a free youth basketball clinic conducted by UMaine coaches and players, along with free posters and an autograph session.
Also, UMaine season ticket holders may choose their seats and pick up their tickets for the 2015-2016 season.
On Nov. 5, UMaine students and fans are invited to attend Black Bear Basketball Madness beginning at 7 p.m. inside Memorial Gym. Free pizza, competitions with the teams and a dance contest are planned.