ORONO — Call it thunder and lightning, if you will.

The University of Maine’s perfect offense would be a strong running game that sets up an explosive passing game. Saturday, it was on full display in a 20-16 victory over nationally ranked Albany at Alfond Stadium.

Earnest Edwards, returning a kickoff for Maine, also ran for 30 yards on three carries and caught a 40-yard touchdown pass Saturday. Photo by Kevin Bennett

The Black Bears running-backs-by-committee rushed for 187 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt, while Dan Collins threw for 280 yards, averaging 25.5 yards per completion with three long touchdowns.

On two of the touchdowns – a 49-yarder to Micah Wright in the first quarter and a 51-yarder to Jordan Dunn in the third – Maine’s receivers outjumped the Albany defenders to pluck the ball out of the air.

“Jump balls,” said Albany Coach Greg Gattuso. “They made the play, we didn’t.”

Asked if the Great Danes were susceptible to the long pass, Gattuso said, “We haven’t given up many big plays all year.”

Maine saw something in preparation to indicate it could beat Albany with the deep ball because Collins threw it all day.

Dunn’s catch, in particular, was crucial. It gave Maine a 20-8 lead early in the third quarter to stop any momentum Albany gained at the end of the first half. Collins threw a high pass to Dunn streaking down the right. He and defensive back Rayshan Clark leaped for the ball at the goal line, with Dunn somehow reaching over Clark to snag it.

“Those guys made great plays,” Collins said of his receivers. “All I have to do is put the ball in the area and those guys will make the play. I have all the faith in the world in them.”

The running load, meanwhile, was shared by Darian Davis-Ray (81 yards), Zaire Williams (57) and Josh Mack (46). Freshman Earnest Edwards chipped in with 30 yards on three carries. Edwards also caught four passes for 79 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown.

Davis-Ray got most of his carries in the second half and rushed for the clinching first down in the final minute.

“It fuels me and it fuels all of us,” said Davis-Ray of the running back competition.

And, he added, nothing would be accomplished without the offensive line of – left to right –Jamil Demby, John Reddington, Max Andrews, Isaiah Brooks and Cody Levy.

“I love my offensive line,” Davis-Ray said.

MAINE’S LAST three-game winning streak came in 2014, from Oct. 25 through Nov. 15. The Black Bears defeated Rhode Island 20-14, Richmond 33-20 and Elon 24-14 on consecutive weeks. A loss to New Hampshire in the season’s final week ended that streak. The Black Bears, who play at Rhode Island next Saturday, last won four straight in 2013.

THE ATTENDANCE was 10,443, the largest in Alfond Stadium history. The previous record was 10,048 for a game against Northern Colorado on Sept. 11, 2004. Maine won that game, 38-0.

The largest home crowd ever for Maine came on Nov. 10, 1951 when 11,600 saw the Black Bears beat Bowdoin 40-14 to complete a 6-0-1 season.

NIGEL BECKFORD, Maine’s leading rusher each of the last two years, is out for the season after breaking a bone in his left leg in last week’s 28-21 victory at Delaware. Beckford was fourth on the team in rushing this year with 87 yards and one touchdown.

Coach Joe Harasymiak said Beckford complained of soreness the day after the game. Beckford tried to practice Tuesday, then had an X-ray on Wednesday that revealed the break.

The Black Bears were also without starting safety DeAndre Scott with a sprained left foot.

ALBANY STOPPED in Saco on Friday on its way to Orono and had a workout at Thornton Academy.

The Great Danes have a local connection on the coaching staff: defensive backs coach Jay Foster is a native of Berwick and graduated from Noble High, where he played football and basketball.

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