Nov. 13, 2004

Box Score

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. - Marcus Williams rushed for 126 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead Maine past Rhode Island, 42-28, on Saturday.

The Black Bears (5-5, 3-4 Atlantic 10) led 14-0 at halftime after a 30-yard fumble recovery run by linebacker Anthony Hicks in the first quarter, and a 4-yard run by tailback Montell Owens midway through the second quarter.

Williams, who became Maine's career rushing leader, scored on a 37-yard sprint to the end zone in the opening moments of the third quarter, pushing Maine's advantage to 21-0. He added a 6-yard TD run in the third.

Rhode Island (4-6, 2-5) got on the scoreboard with a Jerrell Jones 15-yard TD run at the start of the fourth quarter.

Jason Ham, who ran for 126 yards on 14 carries, made it 27-14 when he scored on a 2-yard plunge with 10:48 to play.

Rhode Island pulled within 27-21 three minutes later when D.J. Porter ran two yards for a touchdown.

But then Arel Gordon returned the kickoff 97 yards to give the Black Bears a 35-21 lead.

The teams traded touchdowns in the final minutes.

Ron Whitcomb was 13 of 16 passes for 178 yards for Maine.

Maine limited Rhode Island to 14 yards passing and 336 yards of total offense in the game.