For just the second time in the history of a program dating back to 1892, the University of Maine’s football team is starting the season 0-4 in back-to-back seasons.
After an encouraging first half in which the Black Bears trailed No. 5-ranked William & Mary just 7-3, the Tribe broke the game open in the third period and coasted to a 28-3 victory in Williamsburg, Virginia on Saturday.
The only previous time UMaine lost its first four games in successive seasons was 1945 and 1946, when the Black Bears dropped their first five games each year. UMaine has now lost nine consecutive games dating back to last season, when they finished 2-9..
UMaine’s three Football Championship Subdivision losses this season have come to teams ranked second (North Dakota State), fifth (William & Mary) and 17th (Rhode Island) in the latest FCS poll. The Black Bears also lost to Football Bowl Subdivision team Florida International.
William & Mary outgained UMaine 390-138, including a 331-53 edge on the ground. The Tribe entered the game with the stingiest defense in yards per game allowed in the FCS at 187.7.
UMaine’s offense had managed to produce just 290.7 yards per game for 91st among 122 schools. The Black Bears had averaged only 12 points per game in its three previous losses, tied the Black Bears for 106th in offense.
Trailing 7-3, UMaine received the opening second half kickoff but All-Coastal Athletic Association first team cornerback Ryan Poole intercepted UMaine senior quarterback Derek Robertson’s pass and returned it 17 yards to UMaine’s 15-yard line.
Six plays later, junior quarterback Darius Wilson ran into the end zone from one yard out to make it 14-3.
Later in the third period, the Tribe marched 86 yards on just six plays and extended the lead to 21-3 when Wilson capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to J.T. Mayo.
A 22-yard pass from Wilson to Taylor jump-started the drive. Junior Malachi Imoh carried the ball three times for 62 yards, including a 47-yard jaunt, before Wilson hooked up with Mayo for the TD. Martin Lucas completed the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for William & Mary.
UMaine was held to just 31 total yards on 11 plays in the third period while the Tribe racked up 131 yards on 17 plays.
The Tribe opened the game’s scoring on a one-yard run by All-CAA first team running back Bronson Yoder with 13:03 left in the second quarter. He carried the ball 10 times for 92 yards on the drive.
UMaine put together a 10-play, 49-yard march to pull within four. A 24-yard screen pass from Robertson to Tristen Kenan keyed the drive. UMaine moved the ball to the 2-yard line, but runs by Kenan and Robertson failed to pick up a yard. Cody Williams kicked a 20-yard field goal.
For the Tribe, Yoder finished with 163 rushing yards on 25 carries. Imoh ran for 103 yards on 12 carries. Wilson completed eight of 13 passes for 59 yards with Mayo and Trey McDonald having three catches apiece for 29 and 18 yards, respectively.
Linebacker Kevin Jarrell and end Nate Lynn paced the defense with nine and six tackles, respectively, and Lynn had two sacks.
Kenan led UMaine with 30 rushing yards on 12 carries. Robertson completed 10 of 22 passes for 85 yards, and he was intercepted once. Rohan Jones had three catches for 33 yards and Kenan had three for 18 yards.
Junior safety Abdul Stewart had a game-high 10 tackles to pace the Black Bear defense, which was without injured starters Christian Thomas, a linebacker, and safeties Robby Riobe and Shakur Smalls. Cornerback Kahzir Brown and linebacker Darius McKenzie were each in on eight tackles.
UMaine will host Stony Brook next Saturday at 3:30 p.m., while William & Mary will travel to Elon (N.C.) for a 2 p.m. contest.