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Maine finally adds to a halftime lead, taking advantage of UMass miscues for a 19-9 win.

By JENN MENENDEZ, Staff Writer November 1, 2009

ORONO — In a game of big plays, turnovers and wild momentum shifts, the University of Maine knocked off 19th-ranked Massachusetts 19-9 on Saturday.

The win was notable because the Black Bears (4-4, 3-2 Colonial Athletic Association) showed signs of growth in several areas.

"That's a really good football team, nineteenth-ranked in the country," said Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove. "We persevered. We matured and grew today."

In one sign of improvement, Maine built on a 10-7 halftime lead Saturday rather than buckling in the second half, a troubling pattern from its four losses this season.

"It was starting to feel like it was our fate and we're doomed for that," said receiver/punter Mike Brusko. "Some of the younger guys with less experience had only seen us be up at halftime and then something happens and we lose. It was absolutely enormous for guys to be a part of it, experience it. It's a huge step. And now we've done it against a good football team."

UMass (4-4, 2-3) had seven turnovers a week ago against Richmond and committed six against Maine: four interceptions and two fumbles.

Three of them were credited to linebacker Donte Dennis, who had 11 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery, and broke up two pass attempts.

Two of his turnovers – a second-quarter interception and third-quarter fumble recovery – were converted into scores.

"It felt so good cheering on the offense," said Dennis. "In the past there's been times we got some turnovers and the offense didn't score. But now they did."

After Maine took a 10-7 halftime lead, Dennis recovered a fumble at the UMass 23 on a pitch play early in the third period. Maine settled for a field goal on the ensuing drive with 8:55 left in the period following a controversial call.

On second-and-9, Brusko took a direct snap in the backfield and completed a pass to Landis Williams in the end zone, but before he threw the ball, Brusko leaned slightly toward the ground with his right knee, prompting a whistle that killed the play.

Cosgrove argued the call, but Maine settled for the field goal two plays later to go up 13-7, rather than a potential 17-7 lead. It is unclear what the referees called.

"Your guess is as good as mine," said Brusko. "My knee didn't touch (the ground). He didn't say my knee touched. His call was he thought I was taking a knee. He said once you fake taking a knee, you're automatically down."

Regardless, said Cosgrove, getting even three points there was a sign of growth.

"That was huge," said Cosgrove. "It came off a turnover and it was really important for us to respond to a game challenge."

On Maine's final score, quarterback Warren Smith threw four consecutive first-down passes, then nearly threw a fifth before running the ball in from the 5 with 8:46 to go.

Ke'mon Bailey intercepted Smith's 2-point conversion try and ran it back 100 yards for two points to make the score 19-9.

But the Black Bears hung on from there.

"I really thought about that, what (Brusko) had said to us about growing up after last game," said Smith. "Not (just) on the football field, but off. It hit me. And today at halftime he said it again. 'We've got to grow up.'

"I think we responded well to that, and in all stages of the game, too."

Maine led 3-0 after the first period on a 25-yard field goal by Jordan Waxman.

After Dennis picked off his first pass at the UMass 46, Maine converted with an eight-play drive to take a 10-7 second-period lead. The key play was Smith's 26-yard completion to Jeremy Kelly on fourth-and-11, setting up a 7-yard TD catch by Tyrell Jones with 1:04 left.

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

jmenendez@pressherald.com