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Maine defensive back Jonathan Calderon, left, gets wrapped up by Iona defensive end Tim Nervina after recovering a blocked punt in the first quarter of Maine’s dominating 55-7 win.

ORONO — Now comes the big test.

The University of Maine football team dispatched Iona 55-7 at Alfond Stadium on Saturday for its fourth straight win, and will head into the stretch run with a playoff berth in sight.

Maine (6-3, 3-2 Colonial Athletic Association) dominated Iona (3-6) in every aspect of the game, gaining 516 yards and allowing 130.

Maine will play at Massachusetts Saturday, followed by a game at Rhode Island on Nov. 15, then a home game Nov. 22 against New Hampshire.

UMass and UNH are ranked in the Football Championship Subdivision Top 25.

Maine's only losses are to Iowa, and two top CAA teams – Richmond and James Madison – putting it in strong position heading into the final three games.

"It's an unbelievable feeing, something I haven't felt to the extent of this since I've been here," said quarterback Michael Brusko, who completed 11 of 14 passes for 141 yards. "I couldn't ask for anything else. We control our own destiny."

It's been two years since the Black Bears had a legitimate chance to earn a playoff berth this late in the season.

In 2006, the Black Bears had a 6-3 record heading into November.

Following consecutive victories against Delaware, Hofstra and Northeastern, Maine's decisive win Saturday was important.

"I feel like this team continues to grow and understand what it feels like to win," said Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove. "It's like my mentor, Walt Abbott, said to me 'It smells like fresh bacon in the morning.' When you get a taste of it, you just want it all the time. It's what I see with this football team.

"It's exciting to be going into November with opportunities in front of us."

Maine got 136 yards rushing from freshman Pushaun Brown, and touchdowns from six players.

Iona, a nonscholarship FCS team, struggled from the opening kickoff when it attempted to recover an onside kick but made illegal contact, giving Maine the ball inside the 50.

The Black Bears scored on that first drive.

Maine romped to a 35-7 halftime lead, dominating all over the field. The Gaels had just 10 rushing yards and 94 passing yards in the half.

Maine scored on five of its seven drives: four rushing touchdowns and one pass play.

Brusko (1-yard run), Brown (3-yard run), Jhamal Fluellen (2-yard run) and Jared Turcotte (4-yard run) scored touchdowns.

Fluellen also hauled in a 34-yard touchdown pass.

In the second half, Maine scored three more touchdowns: Roosevelt Boone scored twice on 1-yard runs and Brusko connected with Landis Williams on an 18-yard TD pass.

Redshirt freshman Chris Treister of Portland got the first snaps of his college career, replacing Brusko with 39.3 seconds left in the third quarter.

He first engineered an eight- play drive that stalled on a fourth-and-20 at the Iona 26 following a holding call.

With 6:26 to play, Treister conducted his first touchdown drive, a seven-play, 38-yard drive capped by Boone's final TD.

"It was important for him to get in, get that experience," said Brusko. "He's one play away from being the QB."

NOTES: Cosgrove said tailback Derek Session (deep bruise) may return for next week's game. A return date for quarterback Adam Farkes (shoulder) is expected this week.

Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:

jmenendez@pressherald.com