Damien Jones leads UNE football past Husson

Maine College Football Highlights: UNE, Middlebury, and Bates Capture Wins in Conference Showdowns

Bangor, Maine – Saturday

The University of New England (UNE) and Middlebury College both secured convincing victories over their conference rivals Saturday, while Bates College’s outing in Lewiston finished on a sour note. The games, played across Maine and into neighboring states, showcased powerful rushing attacks, efficient passing, and standout individual performances.

University of New England tops Husson 46‑27 in Bangor

Damien Jones was the star of the Nor’easters’ Saturday night. He rushed for 149 yards on 13 carries, scoring three touchdowns (including a 60‑yard explosion) and adding 29 yards on two receptions, which included a 30‑yard touchdown catch. Jones’s early dominance helped UNE take a 13‑0 lead in the first quarter, and the team never looked back.

Husson’s quarterback Brody Gibson was efficient, completing 35 of 55 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns. The Bears managed to cut into the deficit with a touchdown pass to Jacob Lenz, but the Nor’easters’ offense and defense maintained control throughout the game.

UNE entered the contest with a 2‑5 overall record and a 2‑2 mark in the Conference of New England (CNE). The victory improved their standing to 3‑5 overall and 3‑2 in conference play.

Middlebury beats Bates 31‑13 in Lewiston

Middlebury’s Aidan Moss connected twice on touchdown passes in the second quarter, propelling the Panthers to a 17‑0 lead that stayed intact. Quarterback Yaseen Mousa added a 25‑yard field goal, while running back Beckett Long broke it open with a 1‑yard touchdown run. Connor McClellan’s 50‑yard rushing touchdown capped the Panthers’ first‑half domination.

Bates’ offense struggled to find rhythm. Their quarterback, Connor Hennessey, completed 43‑yard touchdown to Jeff Vidou in the third quarter and a short 8‑yard pass to Ryan Gleason in the fourth, but the efforts were not enough to spark a comeback. The Bobcats’ final record falls to 0‑6 overall.

Middlebury entered Saturday with a 3‑3 overall record, standing at 3‑3 in the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference). The win keeps the Panthers competitive in the league.

Hamilton defeats Colby 28‑14 in Clinton, New York

While not a Maine institution, the NESCAC matchup between Hamilton College and Colby College featured notable performances. Matthew Kearns hauled in 11 receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Continentals to a 28‑14 victory over the Mules. Hamilton’s Luke Kurzum completed 26 of 32 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Colby’s Jagger Matera finished 19‑of‑30 for 155 yards, a touchdown, and added a rushing touchdown of his own.

The game marked Hamilton’s 2‑4 record and a 2‑2 standing in NESCAC play.

Trinity defeats Bowdoin 10‑3 in Hartford, Connecticut

In another out‑of‑state contest, Trinity College’s Jaxon Carroll threw a single touchdown pass to Darison Hooper and Tyler Beliveau added a 20‑yard field goal to secure a 10‑3 win over Bowdoin College. Bowdoin’s kicker Caden Perry landed a 38‑yard field goal, but it was insufficient. Trinity’s undefeated 6‑0 record remains intact, while Bowdoin drops to 0‑6.

Takeaways

• Damien Jones emerged as UNE’s workhorse, contributing over 150 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.
• Aidan Moss and the Middlebury Panthers’ passing attack proved potent against Bates.
• Maine teams are maintaining strong performances in the CNE and NESCAC, while their rivals in neighboring states continue to battle for conference standings.

With the season well underway, both the University of New England and Middlebury College look to build on these wins as they chase conference titles and postseason aspirations.