Statistics

CASTINE, Maine – The University of New England football team rushed for nine touchdowns and turned in a historic offensive output, rolling through Maine Maritime by a final score of 77-14 in Friday evening's Conference of New England matchup at Ritchie Field.
 
The Nor'easters improved to 5-1 (2-1 CNE), matching the 2023 season for the best start through six games in program history.
 
UNE's single-game scoring record, which previously stood at 68 (Oct. 5, 2024 against Dean), was shattered when Gavin Martin scored from four yards out early in the fourth quarter. The extra point following that run gave the Nor'easters their first-ever 70-point performance. The Nor'easters erupted for 56 points in the first half – 28 in both the first and second quarters – before coasting in the second half.
 
77 points ties UNE for the fourth-most by any Division III team in a game this season.
 
Entering Friday night, no team in the nation had rushed for more than eight touchdowns in a single game this season. UNE had eight different rushers find paydirt, eventually totaling a program-best nine scores in the ground game. Javin Willis, the only UNE player with multiple rushing touchdowns, scored on back-to-back offensive snaps in the first quarter.
 
Damien Jones was good for two big plays under the lights on Friday, opening the scoring with a 57-yard touchdown run before his 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter, which completed a trifecta that gave UNE a touchdown in all three phases of the game. Chris Winslow provided the defensive score on the Mariners' first drive of the game with a pick-6.
 
Jones is one of only two players in Division III with multiple kickoff-return touchdowns this season, having registered his first during UNE's victory over Western New England.
 
The Mariners (0-6, 0-3) were kept off the board until midway through the second quarter, when they scored on back-to-back drives. Jack Grant was the Nor'easters' leading tackler with seven, including 1.5 tackles for loss. In addition to Winslow's pick-6, Luca Matos came up with an interception in the waning seconds of the first half.
 
Several quarterbacks saw playing time for UNE, with Will Ledbetter going down as the game's leading passer with 54 yards (4-of-4). Jones, one of 11 Nor'easters with at least one carry, was the leading rusher with 89 yards.
 
The Nor'easters now set their sights on the Lobster Trap Game, hosting Husson for homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.