For three seasons now, Maine head coach Jordan Stevens has preached what many new coaches do when they take over a program.
The process.
It’s been six years since the Black Bears won the CAA and made the postseason. Maine still has a ways to go when it comes to competing for either of those things again, but knocking off the No. 21 ranked Great Danes on the road to 3-2 heading into the bye week was a huge step forward.
For Stevens – who spoke with the media during the regular CAA Zoom call on Monday – it’s less about the bigger picture and more about building confidence that they can play with anyone every single Saturday afternoon.
“Just looking at the work that these guys have put in. Coming out and getting the win vs. Colgate to start the year, going out to Montana State, then coming home against Monmouth and not really being able to really perform up to our standard. But, then to bounce back against Merrimack and this game, I think it really gives us some momentum,” he said.
“It gives us something to look at and say ‘hey. if we do these things the right way, we can compete in the fourth quarter.’ That’s the biggest thing. We just want to be in a position to win in the fourth and I think we’re taking one step closer to doing that and building confidence with our players.”
The game itself was a master class of complementary football. Carter Peavey threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns (20-24) while Jaharie Martin had 82 yards on the ground and a score. Tavion Banks added 57 yards. Molayo Irefin led the receivers with five grabs for 68 yards. Cooper Heisey had both TD’s from Davis on just three receptions. As a team, the Black Bears out-gained the Great Danes 337-260 with 193 yards through the air and 144 on the ground. Defensively, Maine forced three turnovers, including a game-sealing 78-yard pick six for Jamaree Gibson.
But, the biggest highlight came from Montigo Moss, son of former legendary Patriots receiver Randy Moss.The younger Moss completed a two-point conversion pass to Heisey that made it 27-14 in the fourth quarter.The elder Moss and his ESPN teammates highlighted the play during NFL Countdown because it was so similar to one that Randy had for the Vikings in 2002.
“That was incredible, the comparison and how close it is, but to be honest, it didn’t come from that 2001 clip,” Stevens said with a smile. “With ‘Tigo, he’s just a great athlete. He can catch the ball, throw the ball, he can punt. He can do these things, so he’s always been a guy that’s been involved with that play of getting the reverse then the pass. So, pretty cool moment for him and his dad and to have that was really neat.
“I think it was a hell of a play by ‘Tigo and Joey just to find the ball and stay alive was really a special moment there as we finished out the game. Just really excited for the players overall to be able to walk away with a win and continue to grow from this.”
In the grand scheme of things, that kind of win allows alumni to further believe and invest in what’s going on in Orono.
“Yeah, it’s huge,” Stevens added. “We have a great fan base, alumni base as well. That’s something I’m passionate about, building a community here within Maine football. Within the University of Maine, but also Maine football and creating that affinity for who we are, a brotherhood within the players that are currently here, but also former players and our supporters, our families, our fans. That’s important.
“Obviously, going out and winning games is the most important thing and to be able to continue to build that confidence in who we are.”
Perhaps most importantly of all, the win over Albany makes the coaching staff’s job easier. Players may get up just a little earlier, study the playbook a little more or go a little harder in practice because the process is producing results.
“For our players, I think it just more so validates some of the process, the process they’re focused on, the process that we believe in,” said Stevens. “Then, going out and executing, it just puts all that hard work into focus. But, it also validates that you can do more.”