Three Maine football storylines to follow against Sacred Heart
Maine Black Bears lose 43‑17 to Elon, aim for a turnaround against Sacred Heart
Orono, Maine – September 12, 2026
The University of Maine’s football program struggled on the field and on special teams in a 43‑17 defeat to Elon at Elon University’s campus. With the Black Bears now 1‑4 (1‑1 in the Coastal Athletic Association) and a four‑game losing streak, the team will look to reverse course when they host Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon.
A game of missed chances
Maine’s offense was limited to just 88 passing yards, with quarterback Eddie Buehler completing 14 of 35 attempts. The Black Bears managed 315 total yards, but the effort fell short against a Phoenix squad that amassed 376 yards.
Caden Drezek, a junior who saw his first playing time this season in the fourth quarter, threw a touchdown pass to Kevin Jackson late in the game, providing a brief spark for the Bears. Drezek’s performance, however, did not offset the special‑team woes that proved decisive.
Elon capitalized on two blocked punts in the first quarter—one resulting in a field goal and the other a safety—and a 24‑yard punt return that set the Phoenix up in the Red‑Bears’ territory for a touchdown. A muffed Maine punt late in the third quarter gave Elon another field‑goal opportunity. Finally, a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter set up a 31‑yard drive that finished with an Elonian touchdown.
The special‑team miscues gave the Phoenix short fields and forced the Black Bears to play from the back of their own end zone, a factor that contributed significantly to the lopsided score.
A mixed rushing effort
Maine’s ground game has been a bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent season. While the team has averaged just 174 rushing yards on 93 carries (1.9 yards per carry) in its first three games, the Bears produced 167 yards on 34 carries against Elon, a dramatic improvement. Coach Jordan Stevens noted that the team’s running game has shown potential and said he is hopeful the offense can build on that momentum.
Coaching conversation about the quarterback position
During a Monday CAA press conference, Coach Stevens was asked whether he was considering a change at the quarterback position after Buehler’s struggles in the recent game. He answered, “We’re just looking at that during the week here,” indicating that the decision had not been made yet. Earlier, Stevens had stated that he had never contemplated replacing Buehler after the team’s loss to Merrimack.
Looking ahead: the Sacred Heart game
The Black Bears will face the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (FloSports). The two teams enter the game with similar records: Maine is 1‑4 overall and 1‑1 in conference play, while Sacred Heart is 1‑3 overall and 1‑1 in the CAA. The Pioneers have averaged 18.8 points per game this season, and their offensive output will be a key test for Maine, especially if the Bears can control the special‑team aspect of the game.
The upcoming matchup is seen by analysts as an opportunity for Maine to break its four‑game skid. With a solid rushing attack and the potential to tighten up on special teams, the Black Bears will be looking to make the adjustments highlighted by Coach Stevens before the next week’s contest.
By Mike Mandell – Maine News Now
