Defense leads Maine to 33-20 victory over Richmond

Published Nov. 8, 2014 4:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

ORONO, Maine (AP) Trevor Bates returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown, Benjamin Davis blocked a punt for another score and Maine forced five turnovers to beat Richmond 33-20 on Saturday.

Michael Rocco ran in from the 1 to give Richmond (7-3, 4-2 Colonial Athletic Association) an early 6-0 lead before Bates' interception tied it at 6. Sean Decloux's 26-yard field goal gave Maine (4-5, 3-3) the lead to end the first.

Jeff Ondish had a 60-yard punt to pin the Spiders on their own 9, setting up Davis' blocked punt for a touchdown three plays later. Nigel Beckford ran for a 7-yard touchdown and Maine led 23-6 at half.

Rocco threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Diggs to pull the Spiders within 23-13, but threw three of his four interceptions in the fourth quarter. Drew Belcher's 1-yard touchdown run stretched the Bears' lead to 30-13 with 11:19 to play.