For the second week in a row, University of Maine junior safety Jason Matovu saved the day.
Matovu recovered a fumble with 39 seconds remaining as UMaine held off William & Mary 35-28 on Saturday afternoon in Williamsburg, Virginia.
His last-minute interception in the end zone thwarted a University of Rhode Island comeback in the Black Bears’ triumph a week ago.
It was the fifth straight win for UMaine, which improved to 5-3 overall, 4-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association. William & Mary (3-5, 1-4 CAA) lost at home for only the second time in its last 10 games.
The Black Bears built a 28-7 lead in the first half but William & Mary rallied in the second half to twice pull within seven points.
Trailing 35-28, the Tribe began a potential game-tying drive at its own 15-yard line with 2:37 remaining.
The Tribe marched down to the UM 30 but cornerback Najee Goode hit Andrew Caskin after he hauled in a 10-yard pass, causing a fumble that was recovered by Matovu at the 20-yard line.
UMaine’s offense was working on all cylinders in the first half en route to the three-score lead, but it didn’t produce any points in the second half.
However, sophomore wide receiver Micah Wright returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown with 6:45 left in the third quarter and that proved to be the game-winner.
At the time, it extended UMaine’s lead to 35-21.
“I felt like they weren’t trying to kick it to me all day,” said Wright. “But when I saw their long snapper get demolished, I knew I’d be able to return it.
“I caught the ball, there was excellent blocking and I made a couple of people miss. And the rest is history,” said Wright.
But W&M quarterback Steve Cluley answered with a 4-yard run that capped a three-play, 81-yard drive later in the third period.
UMaine’s defense surrendered 469 yards but came up with two clutch plays earlier in the fourth quarter to preserve the lead before Matovu’s heroics.
Right after a fourth-and-one at the W&M 2-yard line failed when UMaine quarterback Dan Collins tripped and fell, the Tribe marched all the way down to UMaine’s 24. But Sterling Sheffield forced a Kendell Anderson fumble that was recovered by Tayvon Hall at the 16.
After UMaine punted the ball away, Pat Ricard sacked Cluley on a first-down play at the W&M 44 to stymie that potential drive.
UMaine jumped out to a 13-0 lead as Collins hit Wright for a 26-yard touchdown to cap a five-play, 94-yard drive. Zaire Williams later finished off a 10-play, 63-yard drive with a 1-yard run.
The Tribe struck back when Cluley tossed an 18-yard TD pass to DeVonte Dedmon 37 seconds into the second quarter, but UMaine strung together two drives to expand the lead to 28-7. Josh Mack ran four yards for a score and Earnest Edwards hauled in a 15-yard pass from Collins.
William & Mary gained some momentum near the end of the half when Anderson capped a six-play, 83-yard drive with a 23-yard scamper.
The hosts put together a 13-play, 73-yard drive capped by Anderson’s 2-yard run to make it 28-21 with 8:51 left in the third quarter. Wright’s punt return restored the two-touchdown advantage.
Collins was 19 of 33 passing for 280 yards.
“I wanted to get back to playing the way that know that I can,” said Collins. “That’s what these guys deserve. My team looks to me to make plays and I told myself before the game that I was going to have a good game no matter what. I practiced hard this week. I kept my head in the game. I stayed focused and I was able to make plays.”
Collins also carried the ball seven times for 52 yards. Mack had 11 carries for 59 yards and Williams gained 54 yards on nine carries. Jeremy Salmon (4 catches, 68 yards) and Edwards (4-43) led the receiving corps.
UMaine finished with 466 yards of total offense.
Matovu had nine tackles and Sheffield had eight to lead UMaine.
Anderson carried the ball 22 times for 151 yards for the Tribe and Cluley completed 26 of 45 passes for 285 yards. Daniel Kuzjak had five receptions for 77 yards.
UMaine hosts Villanova next Saturday at noon.