By Mukala Kabongo

NEFJ Correspondent

NORTH ANDOVER — On a rainy and slippery Saturday afternoon, University of Maine shut down Merrimack College’s offense en route to a 26-15 victory.

Things did not start well for the Black Bears who came into this game losing their last two contests. On their first drive of the game Merrimack’s defense forced a fumble and defensive back Grant Jackson picked it up for a 52-yard scoop and score, the lone Warriors touchdown.

The two teams struggled to move the ball throughout the first half, that was until Maine went on a 13-play, 80-yard drive resulting in a touchdown pass from quarterback Carter Peevy to tight end Mason Gilbert.

Merrimack’s offense did not score a single offensive touchdown thanks to the swarming Black Bears defense. When it seemed as if the Warriors were on the verge of getting points before the half, quarterback Justin Lewis was intercepted by Devin Vaught in the end zone.

The Black Bears defense would not be done forcing turnovers. With the Warriors pinned back, Justin Lewis threw his second interception of the game, this time it was Alhaji Kamara who got the takeaway, the third turnover for the Black Bears.

Maine capitalized on the turnover with the short field. Peevy found Cooper Heisey from 12 yards out for his second touchdown pass of the day to cut the Warriors lead to 15-13.

Peevy was outstanding on the day completing 17 of 26 passes for 225 yards to go along with two touchdowns.

While Maine began to seize control of the game, Merrimack’s inability to move the ball on the Black Bears defense continued in the second half. The Warriors had a total of seven punts on the day that had an impact on their defense as Maine won the time of possession battle by nine minutes.

After taking a 16-15 lead on a Joey Bryson field goal, Maine used a seven-play 94-yard drive resulting in Tavion Banks running it in from five yards out to make it a 23-15 game. The Black Bears tacked on another field goal to seal the game.

Next up for the Black Bears is a trip to New York to take on Albany, while Merrimack is back at home taking on Dartmouth on homecoming.