ORONO, MAINE- Monmouth University (4-3, 2-2 CAA) couldn't overcome three turnovers and number of penalties to knock off the University of Maine (2-4, 2-1 CAA) Saturday afternoon at Alfond Stadium.
 
The Hawks outgained the Black Bears 404-355 but fumbled twice and had an interception returned for a touchdown while Maine did not commit a miscue in the contest.
 
Monmouth opened the scoring with a 17-yard Muskett to Dre Tucker connection that found the Hawks go up 7-0 with 11:50 left in the first quarter. Maine tied it up after recovering a fumble deep in Monmouth territory, with Black Bear QB Joe Fagnano finding tight end Shawn Bowman in the corner of the endzone with 4:07 left.

Maine scored on a 33-yard run and then took an interception 39 yards for a touchdown to put Maine ahead 21-7 with 1:43 to play. The Hawks rallied, with Muskett moving the offense down the field in efficient fashion and hitting Dymere Miller for a 31-yard touchdown strike.
 
The Black Bears pushed their lead to 28-14 on a one-yard Elijah Barnwell touchdown run that was set up by a 77-yard pass on the second play of the half. One minute later Maine capitalized off of the third Monmouth turnover of the half and led 35-14 with 12:27 left in the third quarter. The Hawks wasted no time in scoring, with Muskett throwing his third touchdown of the game, this time a 43-yard bomb to Assanti Kearney. Monmouth elected to go for two, down 35-20 with 9:06 left in the third quarter but the try was unsuccessful.
 
Owen Wright's three-yard touchdown run with 5:09 closed the gap to 38-28 but the Hawks were unable to get the ensuing onsides kick as Maine salted away the clock.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"They [Maine] had the upperhand throughout the game and dominated us from start to finish today. There wasn't a lot that we did very well and I'd be hard pressed to point to some positives that occurred during the game. Anytime you turn it over three times it is almost impossible to win and when those turnovers go directly into the end zone it makes it even more difficult."
 

• The Hawks first drive went 85 yards on seven plays, with Tucker catching back to back receptions including the junior's second touchdown of the season.
• Miles Mitchell recorded his first career sack on the first UM drive to force the game's first punt
• Defensive tackle Daviyon Johnson also recorded his first career sack in the first quarter
• It took the Hawks just four plays to go 57 yards and a touchdown on their final drive of the first half
• Maine has now won six consecutive homecoming games in a row
   

NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Muskett was 22-of-31 for 292 yards and three touchdowns
• Jaden Shirden had his streak of five-consecutive games of 100 yards on the ground snapped after finishing with 81 yards on 18 attempts
• Monmouth had three sacks, Maine recorded five
• Ryan Kost unleashed a 54 yard punt in the second quarter
• Monmouth is now 0-4 all-time against Maine and 0-2 in Orono
   

UP NEXT
Monmouth returns home to face Rhode Island on Homecoming next Saturday. Visit MonmouthHawks.com/Tickets