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CATS DOWN BLACK BEARS, 20-12
Vermont Edges Maine in Renewal of Rivalry
Cats Win 20-12 in the First Meeting Since 1974
Before Saturday night, the last varsity football game between the University of Maine Black Bears and the University of Vermont Catamounts was a 31-27 Maine victory on November 2, 1974. 32 years, 11 months, and 11 days later, the schools faced off in football again for the first time at Alfond Stadium on the campus of the University of Maine. This time, the Catamounts were victorious, 20-12.
It was homecoming for Maine and the campus fireworks display could be seen from the stadium prior to kickoff. The fireworks on the field began shortly thereafter. Both Vermont and Maine entered the contest with identical 4-1 records and both having secured playoff berths the previous week. The Catamounts were the leaders of the Northeast Independent Football League’s Western Division and the Black Bears held second place in the Eastern Division.
After holding Vermont to a three-and-out on the first series, Maine began the game in Vermont territory at the 47-yard line. But on the first offensive play, Maine fumbled and Henry Beckwith recovered for Vermont who took over at their own 48. Five plays later, the Cats would return the gift when Doug DeLuca hauled in a Drew Trombley pass and coughed it up at the Maine 15.
After forcing a punt, Vermont started again at midfield. The Catamounts drove 48 yards on seven plays, but were forced to settle for a Gavin Battaglia field goal and a 3-0 first quarter lead.
Vermont finally got into the endzone early in the second quarter. After a 27-yard pass to Eric Mordridge got Vermont into Maine territory, Trombley launched a pass to the right endzone which was caught by a streaking Sean McKenzie for a 38-yard touchdown. Battaglia’s kick made it 10-0 Vermont.
Maine, down but not out, made a statement on the ensuing kickoff by returning it 81 yards to the Vermont 2-yard line. Quarterback Brett Davison strolled into the endzone on the next play for a Maine touchdown. The hold on the PAT was mishandled and Vermont led 10-6.
Late in the second quarter, Maine punter, Dustin Snow, could not handle a snap and was dropped for a 17-yard loss at the Maine 20. Vermont could only manage 5-yards and Gavin Battaglia was called on to extend the lead with a 32-yard field goal. The score at the half was Vermont 13, Maine 6.
Maine came back after the half reenergized and mounted a scoring drive on their first possession. After returning the kickoff to the Maine 45, the Black Bears rode Davison’s arm for nearly all of the 55-yards drive. TE Daniel Sporogis caught Davison’s 1-yard TD pass. Vermont’s Tyler Jackson blocked the PAT and the score was narrowed to 13-12, Vermont.
Vermont’s answer came quickly. Starting the drive on their own 7-yard line, the Cats used four plays to move the ball to the 24. On second-and-five, a curl pattern was caught near the sideline by McKenzie, who shook a tackle and outraced the Maine defense for a 76-yard touchdown. Batagglia’s extra point capped the scoring in the Vermont win, 20-12.
The Bears had an opportunity late to try and tie the score. With Vermont driving and the clock under five minutes, a handoff to Jack Dubuque was stripped by Maine at the Maine 8-yard line. Davison left the game with a knee injury, leaving backup, Chris Knox, with a fourth-and-two. But Knox converted, completing a pass to Sporogis and then completing a third-and-ten to Chris Ballesteros to get Maine to their own 42.
On third-and-three, Brian Trudell sacked Knox for a seven-yard loss, but then the officials called the next down third-and-ten instead of fourth-and-ten. A “third down” run gave Maine a fourth-and-one, and then a Vermont pass interference call gave Maine a first down at the Vermont 39 with 1:08 to play. Taggart Ramsey’s interception on the next play sealed the Vermont victory.
For Vermont, Drew Trombley was 11-of-19 for 249 yards, 2 TD’s, and 1 INT. Nate Goddard led Vermont rushers with eight carries for 48 yards and Sean McKenzie caught 2 passes for 114 yards and 2 scores. Vermont finished with 408 yards total offense: 136 rushing and 272 passing. Maine’s Brett Davison was 12-of-30 for 165 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT’s. Overall, the Black Bears had 242 yards total offense: 41 rushing and 201 passing.
Next week, Maine hosts the Mass Fury and the University of Vermont travel to face the Vermont Ravens. The two teams will face off again on October 27, 2007 at Buck Hard Field on the campus of Burlington High School in Vermont. Kickoff is set for 4:30 PM.
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