ORONO, Maine — It was in July, 2023, and the start of the college football season was right around the corner.
Running back Brian Santana-Fis was coming off a productive season at El Camino College, a community college in California, but hadn’t landed a spot on a college roster.
“There were FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) and FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) schools that had reached out to me but they backed off late. I was left with nothing,” said Santana-Fis.
But then the Woodbridge, New Jersey, native received a scholarship offer from the University of Maine.
“I just broke down into tears,” said Santana-Fis, who will head into Saturday’s vital 2 p.m. Coastal Athletic Association game against Elon (North Carolina) as the Black Bears’ leading rusher. “For a scholarship to be granted to me at that point in time… that super late in season…it was a no-brainer. I was in (California) but I’m from the east coast and I didn’t hesitate to take the opportunity.”
He arrived near the end of training camp last season and he spent most of the 2023 season learning the playbook and making the adjustment to FCS football.
“I didn’t realize how much time all that takes,” Santana-Fis said.
He played sporadically in 2023 but had his best game on Nov. 4, rushing for 37 yards on eight carries against Hampton.
He finished with 27 carries for 112 yards while playing in eight of UMaine’s 11 games.
He shared the ball-carrying chores with Jaharie Martin and Tavion Banks early this season before Martin suffered a minor injury that sidelined him for a game.
Santana-Fis has been the Black Bears’ leading rusher in four of their last five games.
He is coming off his first 100-yard game as he gained 104 yards in 13 carries during UMaine’s 38-26 win over Bryant last weekend. He had 89 yards on 15 carries against Rhode Island in their previous CAA contest.
That gives him 407 rushing yards on the season on 73 carries for a noteworthy average of 5.6 yards per carry.
“I’m more confident than I was last year,” said Santana-Fis. “I’m trusting my reads, I’m focusing on details. That’s what makes the difference at this level.”
He said there have been plenty of people who have played roles in his success.
“I want to thank the coaches for helping me improve and the offensive line for making the blocks that make me look good. And I thank God for the opportunities. I wouldn’t be here without these people,” he said.
He was pleased to have his first 100-yard rushing game but said he isn’t satisfied.
“I’m hungry for more. There are more to come,” he said.
UMaine head coach Jordan Stevens has been impressed with what he’s seen from Santana-Fis.
“He has a great burst when he gets the ball. If a hole opens for a short time, he can hit it and get vertical,” said Stevens. “And he runs really tough at the end of his runs.
“He has really come on the last couple of weeks and it’s great to see,” added Stevens.
Graduate student quarterback Carter Peevy echoed the coach’s assessment of Santana-Fis.
“He has been a big contributor for us,” said graduate student quarterback Carter Peevy. “He runs hard.”
Santana-Fis had 1,269 rushing yards his senior year at St. Thomas More School in Connecticut before spending two years at Papagao Junior College in Arizona where he was a two-time junior college All-American.
In 2022, he ran for a team-high 655 yards on 111 carries at El Camino College.
“I’ve been everywhere. I’ve been through a lot of adversity,” said the 6-foot, 215-pounder. “Nothing has been given to me. I’ve had to make the most out of my opportunities. I attack everything the same way.”
Santana-Fis said he enjoys being at UMaine.
“It sort of reminds me of (junior college) in the sense that nothing is given to you here. You have to earn everything,” said Santana-Fis. “That’s everything I embody. It’s very gritty. This is like home. I really love it here.”
Game Notes: UMaine is 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the conference while Elon is 4-6 and 3-3. Elon has won its last two games and scored 90 points in doing so.
Peevy has completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 1,983 yards and 16 touchdowns. Montigo Moss is UMaine’s top receiver with 51 catches for 583 yards and five TDs.
Elon quarterback Matthew Downing has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 1,547 yards and 13 TDs. Rushawn Baker has rushed for 321 yards in their last two games and had 597 yards on 133 carries for the season.
Chandler Brayboy has caught 44 passes for 723 yards and six TDs for Elon.
Elon leads the CAA in kickoff return yardage, averaging 26.26 yards per return.
