One thing that has been consistent for the University of Maine’s football team has been inconsistency.
But the Black Bears were able to put together an impressive second-half showing in their come-from-behind 24-13 non-conference win over Long Island University in their Homecoming game last Saturday.
After a dismal first-half showing in which they were outgained 265-135 and allowed LIU to convert five of its seven third downs including a 25-yard run on a third-and-22, UMaine shut the Sharks down in the second half.
UMaine, which trailed 10-7 at the intermission, outgained the Sharks 204-92 and held them to one third-down conversion over the final 30 minutes. Senior quarterback Derek Robertson completed 11 of 15 passes for 134 yards after going 9-for-17 for 101 yards in the first half.
UMaine is now 2-5 overall, 1-3 in the Coastal Athletic Association. Consistency is what second-year head coach Jordan Stevens was preaching after the game from establishing the running game to limiting red-zone trips for opposing offenses.
“We have to continue to build on the consistency it takes to play winning football,” he added.
That red-zone defense has been a bright spot during a tough season so far, ranking 25th best among 122 Football Championship Subdivision schools. They have allowed 16 touchdowns and four field goals on 27 opponents’ red zone trips from the 20-yard line and in.
The second-half showing was a departure from the script for the Black Bears.
UMaine had scored just 34 second-half points through its first six games entering the LIU game and 14 of them came in a 56-28 victory over Stony Brook. Opponents scored 80 second-half points. Stevens was pleased with the way his team responded in the second half.
“We told them at halftime: “Just because we’re down at the moment, we aren’t down for the game,’” he said. “We’ve hit some [big plays] the last two games, but it was good to see our offense be able to put together some sustained drives.”
UMaine had a 14-play, 85-yard drive that consumed nearly 7 minutes to open the second half that gave the Black Bears the lead for good, later adding a seven-play, 75-yard march that expanded the lead to 21-13 later in the second half.
Graduate student Damon Matthews played an important role in the victory. The defensive back punched a ball free resulting in a touchback as LIU was on the brink of adding to its 7-0 lead in the first half and he blocked a field goal attempt at the end of the half.
Stevens called the punch-out “a real heads-up play,” adding that Matthews’ blocked field goal sparked the team and came on the heels of a lot of special-team work in practice.
“We have trust in him and we expect him to continue to grow and play at a high level down the stretch,” Stevens said of Matthews.
UMaine now has 14 takeaways on the season, seven interceptions and seven fumble recoveries, and that is tied for fifth best in the country.
Stevens was also pleased with Robertson’s performance and the fact that he connected with seven different receivers, led by Joe Gillette’s second consecutive eight-catch game.
“Derek is one of the best I have seen when it comes to going through his progressions and getting the ball to different receivers, and we have a really strong group of receivers,” the coach said.
Running back Tavion Banks had 73 yards on the ground 21 carries after missing the first few games of the season. Leading rusher Tristen Kenan is sidelined by a leg injury.
UMaine will have a major challenge this weekend when it visits first-year CAA member Campbell University at 4 p.m. in Buies Creek, North Carolina. The Camels are 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the conference.
The high-powered Camel offense is tied for ninth in points per game (37.8), fifth in third down efficiency (51.5 percent) and 10th in red zone efficiency (93.3 percent, 26 TDs, 2 field goals in 30 trips into the red zone).
Campbell is 14th in yards per game (435) and quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams has the nation’s second highest completion rate (74.2 percent).
“They have athletes on both sides of the ball and they have an explosive offense,” Stevens said. “It’s going to be a great challenge.”