Saturday’s Maine college football: Coast Guard scores late to beat UNE

Coast Guard Surges to 49‑35 Season‑Opening Victory over New England

The Coast Guard Bears opened their football season with a dramatic 49‑35 win over the University of New England (UNE) in a match that swung on a blocked punt in the final minutes. The game was played on Saturday in New London, Connecticut, and featured a series of high‑scoring plays that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

A Thrilling Finish

The Nor’easters had held a 35‑34 advantage in the third quarter after Ben Durkin kicked a 23‑yard field goal. The Bears, however, shifted momentum when their defense forced a punt block early in the fourth quarter. The ball bounced to the Bears, who returned it to the UNE 1‑yard line. Quarterback Sean Burns capitalized on the opportunity, sprinting into the end zone on the next play. The Bears then converted a 2‑point pass from Freddy Barber to extend their lead to 41‑35.

With 1:42 remaining, the Bears added another score, this time a 64‑yard touchdown pass, securing the final tally and a comfortable margin.

Performance Highlights

• Coast Guard: The Bears finished with 49 points, showcasing a balanced offense. Sean Burns finished the game with a solid performance, while the defense forced a crucial play in the fourth quarter.
• UNE: Despite a strong finish, the Nor’easters were unable to sustain the momentum. Chris Lang completed 18 of 42 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns but was also intercepted twice. Running back Damien Jones carried the ball 14 times for 119 yards, adding a touchdown on the ground.

Other Season‑Opening Games

While Coast Guard celebrated in New London, several other collegiate match‑ups highlighted the region’s competitive spirit:

• Framingham State vs. Husson
  Framingham State won 33‑21 in Bangor. Quarterback Michael Marcucella delivered 380 yards of passing and added two rushing touchdowns, including a crucial 38‑yard strike to Mathias Fowler in the final minutes. Husson’s Brody Gibson threw for two touchdown passes but also had two interceptions. Anthony Santacroce scored a 3‑yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter to give Husson a brief halftime lead.

• Massachusetts Maritime vs. Maine Maritime
  Massachusetts Maritime dominated in a 49‑0 victory in Bourne, Massachusetts. The Buccaneers amassed 479 rushing yards, with John Dickinson leading the way with 112 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Dylan Taylor contributed 97 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Joseph Schwartz added a rushing touchdown and threw a touchdown pass on his sole completion. Maine Maritime’s Auston Harris recorded 84 yards on 18 carries.

Looking Ahead

The Bears’ victory sets a strong tone for the season, underscoring their defensive resilience and offensive versatility. The Nor’easters will look to regroup after a close loss, while the other teams highlighted here have shown that the conference is full of competitive matchups. As the season progresses, the results of these opener games will likely influence team confidence and positioning going into the regular schedule.