Elon Phoenix @ Maine Black Bears
Maine beats Elon 27-26 for outright win of CAA title
ORONO, Maine -- Earnest Edwards returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, Drew Belcher scored on a 1-yard run and Maine cashed in on a turnover to win the Colonial Athletic Association championship outright by beating Elon 27-26 on Saturday.
It's Maine's first outright conference championship since 2013 and 13th overall conference title dating back to 1949.
Elon had a chance to win after forcing a punt with 3:05 left to play, but, after getting intercepted then recovering a fumble on the same play, was stopped on downs at the Maine 42.
Jamehl Wiley's fumble recovery set up Belcher's score before Edwards returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 second-quarter lead. Kenny Doak added a 44-yard field goal, then Edwards returned another kickoff 93 yards for a score and a 24-13 Black Bears lead.
Connor Christiansen grabbed two interceptions and Greg Liggs Jr. snagged another which led to Elon scores. The Phoenix closed to 27-20 on Daniel Thompson's 23-yard TD pass to Cole Taylor. Skyler Davis kicked a career-high four field goals, including two in the fourth quarter to make it a one-point game.
Freshman Ramon Jefferson gained 130 yards on 25 carries for Maine (8-3, 7-1), which had 234 total yards to Elon's 432.
Thompson was 18 of 43 for 250 yards passing and Brelynd Cyphers scored on a 2-yard run for the Phoenix (6-4, 4-3).
Game Information
Orono, ME
2025 Standings
| Coastal Athletic AssociationCoastal Athletic Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| Villanova | 7-1 | 12-3 |
| New Hampshire | 6-2 | 8-5 |
| Monmouth | 6-2 | 9-3 |
| William & Mary | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| Maine | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Elon | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Stony Brook | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Towson | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| North Carolina A&T | 2-6 | 2-10 |
| Campbell | 2-6 | 2-10 |
| Bryant | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| UAlbany | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| Hampton | 0-8 | 2-10 |
NCAAF News

Alabama QB Ty Simpson says he's entering NFL draft
5h

Mendoza, unbeaten Indiana to face Moore, Oregon in rematch of Big Ten rivals in Peach Bowl semifinal
5h

Evan Dickens, No. 9 in rushing in 2025, joining Boston College
5h

