WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (AP) — Jared Turcotte scored three touchdowns, including a 51-yard burst near the end of the first half to put Maine ahead to stay in the Black Bears’ 31-23 triumph over Monmouth on Saturday.
The Black Bears offense rebounded from last week’s anemic 3-0 defeat to Albany in the season opener to account for 433 yards of total offense.
Turcotte led Maine with 144 yards rushing on 29 carries, while quarterback Warren Smith bounced backfrom his benching to complete 17 of 16 passes for 194 yards and no interceptions.
After Kyle Frazier’s 16-yard touchdown run gave Monmouth a 10-7 lead, the Black Bears (1-1) had a fourth-and-1 at their own 49 with a little over four minutes left in the first half. Turcotte broke two tackles in the backfield before bursting through the right side on his 51-yarder that gave Maine the lead for good.
Turcotte also scored on runs of 3 yards in the first quarter and 7 yards in the fourth. The 7-yarder, which put Maine ahead 31-20, came after Steven Barker returned a short kickoff to the 18-yard line of the Hawks (0-2).
Eric Spillane kicked his third field goal of the game, from 37 yards, with 3:05 left to cut the lead to 31-23, but Maine was able to run out the clock.
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