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FOOTBALL JUMPS INTO NATIONAL TOP 25 POLLS 21st in Sports Network poll; 23rd in FCS Coaches poll

Men's College Football

November 10, 2008

ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine football team made its first appearance in the 2008 national top 25 polls on Monday, following the Black Bears’ thrilling 21-20 win at No. 13 Massachusetts on Saturday.

The Black Bears were ranked 21st in the most recent Sports Network Top 25 Poll, and 23rd in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Top 25 Poll. It marks Maine’s first appearance in the national top 25 since the Black Bears were ranked No. 24 in the Sports Network poll following the conclusion of the 2006 regular season.

The Black Bears, who are currently tied for first place with New Hampshire in the CAA North Division, have won five-straight games. It marks Maine’s longest winning streak since it opened the 2002 season with six-straight victories. Two of Maine’s wins during this recent winning streak have come on the road against nationally-ranked teams -- a 27-10 win over No. 20 Delaware (Oct. 11) and the one-point triumph over the 13th-ranked Minutemen. It’s the first time since the 2002 season that Maine has defeated at least two ranked teams on the road in the same season.
 

Maine has been solid on both sides of the ball during the recent winning streak. The offense is averaging 272.2 yards rushing during that span, while the defense has limited the opposition to just 83.8 yards on the ground. Maine has forced 18 turnovers during the steak, while turning it over just five times for a plus-13 in the turnover-ratio.
 

The Black Bears return to action this Saturday when they travel to face Rhode Island at 12 p.m., in Meade Stadium in Kingston. The game can be seen live over the internet on a pay-per-view basis at www.GoRhody.com(.) Maine returns to the friendly confines of Alfond Stadium for the 2008 regular season finale on Nov. 22, when the Black Bears play host to UNH. Tickets still remain for that contest and can be purchased by calling (207) 581-BEAR or toll-free (800) 756-TEAM.
 

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