ELON, N.C. – The University of Maine football team kept it close but ended up falling to Elon University 31-25 on Saturday afternoon.
Black Bears quarterback Carter Peevy finished the game 22-of-37 for 271-yards and a touchdown while running back Jaharie Martin carried seven times for 26-yards and a career-high two rushing touchdowns.
Wide receiver Montigo Moss had five receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown for Maine, which dropped to 5-6 on the season, 3-4 in Coastal Athletic Conference play, heading into next week’s season finale against the University of New Hampshire.
Elon (5-6, 4-3) took a 14-10 lead at the half.
The Black Bears threatened early in the third. A 28-yard punt return from Molyao Irefin, followed by a 15-yard personal foul penalty against Elon, advanced Maine to the Elon 25. After a 21-yard strike to Joe Gillette, Maine found itself knocking on the door. However, a delay of game penalty backed the Black Bears up one play before Peevy was picked off in the end zone by Caleb Curtain, ending the drive and scoring threat.
Elon converted the turnover into points with Rushawn Baker’s third rushing touchdown of the game as Maine found itself trailing 21-10 with 4:21 left in the third quarter.
Maine got great field position as Trevin Ewing took the ensuing kickoff back 69-yards down to the Elon 25. Three plays later, Martin smashed his way straight up the middle for a 7-yard score, his second of the day. Peevy connected in the corner of the end zone with Joe Gillette on the two-point conversion, drawing Maine within three late in the third.
Elon wasted no time responding as Matthew Downing hit Chandler Brayboy for a 70-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the ensuing possession.
The Phoenix tacked on a 40-yard field goal with 8:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Following a missed field goal by Elon, Maine took over at its own 20 with no timeouts. Peevy began marching, hitting Irefin for 15-yards before connections of 32 and 23-yards to Mason Gilbert. Maine completed the drive with an 11-yard touchdown reception by Moss.
However, the Black Bears were unable to recover the onside kick.
