What Is 2021 Maine Black Bears football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2021 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the NCAA Division I FCS, finishing with a 5–6 overall record and 3–5 in CAA play under head coach Nick Charlton.

Key Facts

The 2021 Maine Black Bears had a 5–6 overall record and 3–5 in CAA conference play
Head coach Nick Charlton was in his third season before stepping down after the season
The team played home games at Alfond Stadium in Orono, Maine
Maine scored 207 total points, averaging 18.8 points per game
The season included a 31–20 win over in-state rival UAlbany

Overview

The 2021 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). The team was led by head coach Nick Charlton, who completed his third season at the helm before stepping down following the season.

Playing their home games at Alfond Stadium in Orono, Maine, the Black Bears competed in a challenging CAA conference schedule. Despite improvements in several areas, the team finished with a losing record and did not qualify for the FCS playoffs.

Overall record: The team finished with a 5–6 win-loss record, marking a slight improvement from the 2–4 record in the shortened 2020 season due to the pandemic.
Conference performance: In CAA play, Maine went 3–5, placing them in the lower half of the conference standings and missing postseason qualification.
Scoring output: The offense averaged 18.8 points per game, totaling 207 points across 11 games, with inconsistent offensive production limiting their success.
Defensive stats: The defense allowed 23.5 points per game, struggling to contain high-powered CAA offenses despite several strong individual performances.
Home field: Alfond Stadium, with a capacity of 8,456, remained the team’s home venue, hosting five games during the 2021 regular season.

Season Performance

The 2021 campaign featured a mix of close losses and competitive performances against ranked opponents, highlighting both growth and areas needing improvement. The team showed resilience, particularly in non-conference matchups, but fell short in key conference games.

September 4 vs. UAlbany: The Black Bears opened with a 31–20 victory, led by a balanced offensive attack and a crucial fourth-quarter defensive stand.
September 11 at New Hampshire: Maine lost 24–20 in a rivalry game, despite holding a halftime lead, due to late offensive miscues.
October 2 vs. Villanova: A tough 27–10 loss to a ranked opponent exposed offensive limitations against disciplined defenses.
October 30 vs. Richmond: Maine suffered a 31–10 defeat, struggling to move the ball against a top-tier CAA defense.
November 13 at Towson: A close 24–21 loss in the final minutes ended any realistic playoff hopes for the Black Bears.
November 20 vs. UMass: In the season finale, Maine secured a 24–17 win, finishing with a winning record at home (4–2).

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2021 Maine Black Bears compare to recent seasons in key statistical categories:

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Points Per Game	Head Coach
2021	5–6	3–5	18.8	Nick Charlton
2020 (spring 2021)	2–4	2–4	20.5	Nick Charlton
2019	6–5	4–4	23.6	Nick Charlton
2018	7–5	5–3	27.2	Joe Harasymiak
2017	6–5	4–4	22.1	Joe Harasymiak

The 2021 season reflected a transitional phase for the program. While the win total improved slightly from 2020, offensive production declined compared to prior years. The team’s inability to close out tight games in conference play remained a recurring issue, and head coach Nick Charlton announced his departure after the season, paving the way for a new era under Jordan Stevens.

Why It Matters

The 2021 season served as a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Maine football program, bridging the end of one coaching era and setting the foundation for future development. Though not a postseason year, it provided valuable experience for young players and highlighted the need for offensive consistency.

Player development: Several underclassmen gained significant playing time, preparing them for larger roles in the 2022 season and beyond.
Coaching transition: Nick Charlton’s departure after three seasons opened the door for Jordan Stevens, a former Maine player, to take over as head coach.
Recruiting momentum: Competitive games against ranked teams helped showcase the program’s potential to prospective recruits.
Home performance: A 4–2 home record demonstrated strong fan support and effective use of Alfond Stadium’s environment.
Conference competitiveness: Despite a losing record, Maine remained within striking distance in most CAA games, indicating parity within the league.
Program trajectory: The season underscored the need for sustained improvement in quarterback play and red-zone efficiency to return to playoff contention.

Looking ahead, the 2021 season is remembered as a transitional year that laid the groundwork for future rebuilding efforts under new leadership. While the record was underwhelming, the experience gained proved instrumental in shaping the team’s direction in subsequent seasons.