UMaine football embracing challenge against Oklahoma on Saturday

No football program in the country has won more games in the modern era (since the end of World War II) than the University of Oklahoma.
The Sooners have won 703 games, 29 more than runner-up Alabama.
Their 27 11-win seasons ties Alabama for the most in the country.
They have won seven national championships.
The Football Championship Subdivision’s University of Maine Black Bears will take on the Football Bowl Subdivision Sooners at noon on Saturday at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where Oklahoma is 143-15 since the start of the 1999 season.
The Sooners have played in front of 157 consecutive sell-out crowds.
That means the Black Bears will be playing in front of 80,126 fans.
That will be the largest crowd a UMaine football team has ever played in front of.
A crowd of 77,469 saw Nebraska beat the Black Bears 25-7 on Sept. 3, 2005 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
It is the 100th anniversary of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the Sooners have a 421-88-15 record there.
The 4-4 Sooners have lost their last two home games and that is just the second time that has happened since the beginning of the 1999 season.
It is the first ever meeting between the two schools.
Football Bowl Subdivision schools have 22 more scholarships than FCS schools and far more resources.
The Black Bears are looking forward to the challenge and are approaching it like they would any other game.
“Everybody eats, sleeps and bleeds. They’re human just like us,” said UMaine senior wide receiver Montigo Moss. “We don’t need to be fearful of a jersey or a name.
“I know Oklahoma is a historical football team and it’s going to be a different atmosphere. It’s going to be fun. I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to enjoy the experience,” added Moss.
Graduate student free safety Robby Riobe said this is an opportunity players dream about.
“Playing at the highest level against an SEC school in front of a bunch of fans and being able to show your ability (is exciting),” Riobe said. “Whether there are 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 (fans), it is still going to be 11-on-11 on the field.”
Senior strong safety Shakur Smalls echoed Riobe’s thoughts.
“I’m super excited for the opportunity,” said Smalls. “There will be a lot of NFL scouts and (UMaine) alumni at the game. We will have the opportunity to display our skills in front of 80,000 fans and see how we stack up against a better conference.
“We will try to put our culture on display,” added Smalls. “I’m really excited. It’ll be a hostile environment but we are ready to work together to get the job done.”
UMaine graduate student quarterback Carter Peevy is used to playing in front of big-time FBS crowds.
During his time at Mercer University (Ga.), his teams played at Mississippi, Auburn and Alabama.
“It’s just another game with more people in the stands,” said Peevy. “We have to go out and execute. These guys are going to be really good so any time we don’t execute, it is going to be more highlighted.
“We have got to play at a high level,” he added.
It will be a financially beneficial trip for the UMaine football program as they are going to receive a $635,000 guarantee from Oklahoma.
UMaine third-year head coach Jordan Stevens said it is going to be a huge challenge.
“But one of our values is competing. So let’s go compete. Let’s go play football on a national stage against one of the best programs in the country. Let’s cut it loose. We’re going to approach it with a positive attitude. We’re going to have fun,” said Stevens.
UMaine is 4-26 against FBS opponents while Oklahoma is 11-3 against current FCS schools.
Peevy has completed 70 percent of his passes for 1,591 yards and 11 touchdowns with four interceptions. Moss has caught a team-high 42 passes for 441 yards and Brian Santana-Fis, coming off a career-high 89 rushing yards, five receptions and 51 receiving yards, is UMaine’s leading rusher with 280 yards on 55 carries for a 5.1 yards-per carry average.
Kesean Dyson’s 49 tackles, Xavier Holmes’ 47 tackles and 5.5 sacks and Izaiah Henderson’s 4.5 sacks have paced the defense.
Jovantae Barnes is Oklahoma’s top rusher with 374 yards on 104 carries. Jackson Arnold has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 945 yards and Michael Hawkins Jr. has completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 476 yards.
Bauer Sharp has caught a team-high 32 passes for 242 yards and keying the defense has been Danny Stutsman (71 tackles) and R. Mason Thomas (6 sacks).
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include the new start time of the game which was changed due to inclement weather.