Soccer Takes on Georgia Southern in Second FBS Matchup of the Season

ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine soccer crew travels to Statesboro to tackle Georgia Southern on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Broadcast Details:

Saturday’s sport will probably be reside streamed on ESPN+. The sport might be heard regionally in Bangor on 92.9 FM The Ticket, within the Portland markets on 100.5 FM and 1310 AM, and nationwide at GoBlackBears.com and on the TuneIn app.

FCS vs FBS — This sport marks the second FBS opponent of the 2025 season for the Black Bears, having misplaced to Liberty within the season opener, 28-7.

Maine out gained the Flames into the fourth quarter earlier than three late scores skewed the numbers in favor of Liberty.

Last Time Out — Maine suffered a loss of their dwelling opener towards Stonehill on Saturday, Sept. 6, 13-10.

Mo Irefin picked up his first landing of the season whereas Sincere Baines rushed for 106 yards, his second 100+ dashing efficiency of the season. He had a game-high 54 yard run to assist arrange the Irefin landing.

Top Defense — The Black Bears head to Statesboro permitting the fewest yards per sport within the CAA at 280.0.

Maine ranks third in dashing yards allowed, fourth in passing yards allowed and so they permit the fourth fewest factors per sport.

Georgia Southern Southern Preview — The Eagles are coming off of their first win of the season, a 41-34 victory over Jacksonville State.

Georgia Southern put up 410 yards of offense whereas additionally returning a kickoff for a 95-yard landing to seize the victory.

THOMAS CONTINUES HIS IMPACT

Christian Thomas has emerged as not solely among the best defensive gamers within the CAA, however the complete FCS as he’s ranked seventh with 33 tackles, Tenth with 5.5 tackles for loss and fifteenth with 17 solo tackles.

In the CAA, he leads the convention in tackles for loss, is second in complete tackles and is fourth in solo tackles.

Against Stonehill final day trip, he registered a sack, 2.5 tackles or loss and 5 tackles.

FRONT LINE SHERMAN

Elias Sherman, a switch out of Central Missouri, not too long ago had his finest sport of the season as he registered a crew season-high 2.5 tackles for loss and his first sack of the season by the Black Bears protection of their matchup towards William & Mary.

His 4.5 tackles for loss on the season are the Twentieth-most in the entire FCS and the fourth-most within the CAA.

BAINES KEEPS BREAKING FREE

Sincere Baines is profiting from the RB1 spot on the depth chart as over the primary three video games of the season he has averaged 103.7 yards per sport, the ninth-highest mark within the FCS and second-best within the FCS. On opening weekend at Liberty, he took a 77-yard run to the top zone on simply his second carry of the season.

He heads into week 4 because the second-leading rusher in the entire CAA with 311 yards, the Tenth-highest mark within the FCS.

He leads the CAA in yards per carry as he’s averaging practically 7.8 yards per try, the fourth-best mark within the FCS.

TOP OF THE DEPTH CHART

Scott Woods and Mo Irefin are the clear #1 and #2 extensive receivers on the Black Bears as they every eclipsed 100 yards for the season final day trip.

Woods leads Maine with 16 catches and 109 yards, trailed by Irefin’s 9 receptions for 100 yards.

Woods joins Baines as the one two Black Bears to register a receiving landing on the season.

O-LINE PRESENCE

Maine will probably be leaning on a veteran group of their offensive line as soon as once more as the mixture of Kocan (LT), Iliano (LG), Cruji (C), Boutaugh (RG) and Williams (RT) noticed each snap on offense towards Liberty and 4 of the 5 noticed each snap in week two towards William & Mary and week three towards Stonehill.

The group has solely allowed 7 sacks on the season, highlighted by solely permitting 1 sack on week two at CAA opponent, William & Mary.

SECONDARY STRENGTH

The Black Bear secondary has recorded 12 go breakups by means of the primary three weeks, with 8 breakups coming in simply the final sport towards Stonehill.

Led by a pair of All-CAA Preseason Honorable Mentions in Jamaree Gibson (CB) and Devin Vaught (FS), the Black Bears broke up 31 passes a season in the past and generated 10 interceptions, three of which got here from Vaught. Vaught was a giant performer on week one as he set a brand new career-high with 8 solo tackles and is coming off of a sport towards Stonehill by which he broke up a pair of passes.

Gibson led all Black Bears with 9 go breakups in 2024.

Jake Kucera began at robust security after having a robust camp, he appeared in solely three video games final season for the Black Bears however has seen the majority of the snaps at security this season.

PRESEASON HONORS

The Black Bears had 5 members listed on the All-CAA Preseason listing.

Trevin Ewing was named to the All-CAA Preseason Team as a kick returner whereas Carter Peevy,        Jamaree Gibson, Devin Vaught and Christian Thomas all have been named to the Honorable Mentions listing.

CLOSE CALL

Since 2013, Maine is 27-21 in video games determined by seven factors or much less.

Maine is 0-2 in a single possession video games in 2025. 

In 2023, Maine was on the shedding finish of all three of its video games which have been determined by 7 factors or fewer and so they have been 1-1 on such video games in 2024.

A MAINE WIN WOULD…

… The first win of the season for the Black Bears.

… The first FBS win for Maine because the 2021 season.

… The first street win for Maine since Sept. 28, 2024 at #21 UAlbany.

-UMaine-

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