#CAAFB75: 1982 Maine Football Team Worked Overtime To Capture Conference Title
Rob Washburn
On September 10, the University of Maine organized a reunion of the 1982 football team to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Black Bears capturing a share of the 1982 Yankee Conference championship.
While winning a Yankee Conference title for the first time since 1974 was significant, the adversity that the team had to overcome was more impressive. After starting the season 2-0, the Black Bears lost to Rhode Island, 58-55, in six overtimes in what was the longest college football game ever played at the time. That was followed by a four-overtime setback to Boston University and a last-second loss to Towson over the next two weeks. However, Maine responded with a five-game winning streak, including a victory over perennial power UMass for the first time in 17 years, to claim a share of the championship.
As part of CAA Football's 75-year celebration, we take a look a back at the special season.