UMaine football drops 5th straight game
Maine Falls 24‑16 to Sacred Heart in Orono
The University of Maine’s Black Bears suffered their fifth consecutive defeat after a 24‑16 loss to the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Saturday night at Alfond Stadium in Orono. The defeat drops Maine to 1‑5 overall and 1‑2 in the Coastal Athletic Conference, while Sacred Heart improves to 1‑3 overall and 12‑1 in the conference.
Maine entered the game with a season‑long winless streak that began after an August 27 victory over Towson. Their hopes for a turnaround were hampered by a series of turnovers and a sluggish offense that produced only 16 points.
The Pioneers seized control early, scoring a 19‑second pass from quarterback Poochie Snyder to Jason Palmieri in the final seconds of the first half to take a 11‑9 lead. Snyder finished the game completing 21 of 27 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns.
Maine’s offense had an uneven night. After opening the second quarter with a 9‑point lead via three field goals by Samuel Trembley (from 42, 45, and 37 yards), they never managed to gain a foothold. The Black Bears’ quarterback, Caden Dredek—who had seen most of the season’s snaps in a backup role—was 12‑for‑28 for 141 yards, while backup Eddie Buehler was 1‑for‑5 for 13 yards and was sacked twice.
A key moment came early in the fourth quarter when freshman Nick Laughlin broke through for a 2‑yard rushing touchdown with 12:03 left on the clock, pulling the Bears to within six points at 21‑15. The Pioneers answered with a 40‑yard field goal by Ryan Bocklet, putting them back in front 24‑21.
Maine’s final drive began at their own 43‑yard line after forcing a Sacred Heart punt with 1:16 remaining. They earned one first down but the drive stalled as Dredek completed four straight incomplete passes from the Pioneers’ 47‑yard line, ending the Bears’ hopes of a comeback.
Sacred Heart’s defense held fast, turning the ball over on downs with 1:40 left on a drive that stalled at Maine’s 37‑yard line. The Pioneers then secured the victory with a 10‑point margin.
The loss leaves Maine with a bleak outlook for the rest of the season. The team will be idle for the next week before returning to the field on October 17 to host Bryant, hoping to halt the losing streak and regain momentum.
