ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine football team found a handful more ways not to get a victory in Saturday’s Colonial Athletic Association game against Elon at Alfond Stadium.
The Black Bears committed three turnovers, two of which the Phoenix converted into a total of 10 points, and suffered a late-game defensive lapse in a 27-22 loss.
Coach Jack Cosgrove’s team (3-7, 3-4 CAA), which has lost three in a row, now must prepare for its season finale against border rival New Hampshire.
UMaine doubled Elon’s offensive output, 375 yards to 185, but the Phoenix proved opportunistic while scoring after two first-half fumbles.
“Obviously we didn’t play well in the first half, got behind, played a game of catch-up,” Cosgrove said.
“We’re going to be frustrated with the turnovers and the things that happened,” he added.
Ultimately, the Black Bears spotted the Phoenix a 17-0 lead. As a result, Cosgrove and his staff made a change at quarterback.
Junior Dan Collins replaced sophomore Drew Belcher and helped inject some life into the UMaine offense. Collins completed 23 of 49 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns, but fumbled once and threw an interception.
It was his arm and the efforts of wide receivers Micah Wright (9 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TDs) and Jordan Dunn (6-46-1) that enabled the Bears to make a late run at the Phoenix.
“It was 17-0 at the half and we had to play some catch-up,” Cosgrove said. “We felt throwing the football was the way to do it.
Belcher fumbled on UMaine’s first play from scrimmage and played only the first two series.
UMaine’s turnovers twice put the defense in difficult spots early, then a pass interference penalty aided a 54-yard, second-quarter scoring drive by the Phoenix.
Later, after the Bears rallied to get within a point in the fourth quarter, the defense faltered. Elon surged 66 yards on eight plays, during which Malcolm Summers gained 56 yards on six carries to score a big touchdown.
“We got our butts kicked a couple times running the football,” Cosgrove said.
Decloux misses game
Senior place-kicker Sean Decloux, who had been inconsistent on field goals of late, did not dress for Saturday’s game.
It appears his recent issues may have stemmed from a previously undisclosed lower body injury.
“He’s been hiding an injury [from the public],” Cosgrove said.
“We made a decision to stick with him [previously] and he felt good on those Saturdays. We didn’t compromise him, I think this week it was just a situation where he couldn’t go,” he added.
As a result, sophomore Sam Lenson made his collegiate debut against Elon. He kicked a 28-yard field goal to put UMaine on the board in the third quarter.
However, he missed an extra point that would have tied the game with 8:14 to play.
“We had good juice coming within a point and missed it,” Cosgrove said. “We were still in the football game.”