Mammoths Upset Cobras 55-29
June 30, 2018 - National Arena League (NAL)
Maine Mammoths News Release
Maine Mammoths quarterback Jonathan Bane
(Maine Mammoths)
PORTLAND - The Maine Mammoths (3-8) pulled off a huge upset tonight over the Carolina Cobras (7-4) at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, ME. Dominating the top-ranked Cobras from start to finish the Maine Mammoths led by Quarterback Jonathan Bane finished the night with a stunning 55-29 victory. This was the two teams second and final meeting of the regular season, with Carolina winning their first meeting 56-42 in Portland. This marks the Mammoths first ever victory over the Carolina Cobras as both teams began their inagural seasons in 2018. The Mammoths defense forced four turnovers (two fumbles and two interceptions) while Maine's offense finished the night flawless with zero turnovers. Mammoths Nation were loud and proud as Mammoths quarterback Jonathan Bane finished recorded six touchdown passes on the night. The Mammoths line shutdown the Cobras who previously reaked havoc on the Mammoths all season.
The first quarter was all Maine, with Bane and his offense completing two back-to-back passes to start the game to put the Mammoths up 7-0 barely a minute into the game. Maine's defense was able to keep the teams' momentum going by stuffing the Cobra's red-hot offense, forcing McCullum to incomplete all four of his passes, giving the ball back to Maine on Carolina's 12-yard line. Mammoth's kicker Henry Nell was able to extend the Mammoth's lead to 10 after being stopped at the Carolina 10-yard line. Cobra's kicker Craig Peterson looked to make a field goal of his own, but missed, allowing Bane to make another touchdown pass, this time a 28-yarder to Devin Wilson. On Carolina's following possession, McCullum completed a pass to Jordan Jolly, who fumbled the ball away to Maine, giving Maine good momentum going into the second quarter.
Carolina was able to get things going in the second quarter, but only after Desmond Maxwell cashed in on the fumble recovery with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Mammoths up 24-0. McCullum and the Cobras finally got the chains moving, after McCullum's big fourth-down conversion to Jordan Jolly. McCullum took the ball in for the score himself to end the drive on a one-yard touchdown. Peterson was also able to hit a deuce on the ensuing kickoff, continuing to bring the Cobras back in the game. After Maine went four-and-out, Tyron Laughinghouse was able to hold on to the ball for a three-yard touchdown reception. Maine had to get back in the game and re-extend their lead, and after Carolina failed to convert an onside kick, Bane was able to convert an 11-yard pass to Wilson for a touchdown. With little time, Carolina tried to get another score, but these dreams were dashed after Mammoth's defensive back Martay Mattox was able to intercept McCullum, setting the Mammoths up for another touchdown. With two seconds left in the half, Bane completed his fourth touchdown pass of the half, this time to Edgar Poe, giving the Mammoths a 37-15 lead going into the half.
The Cobra's turnover woes continued in the third quarter, after being deep in the Mammoth's territory twice. Jolly lost his second fumble of the night, and McCullum threw his second interception of the night, this one picked off by Tyree Robinson. Both turnovers resulted in touchdowns for the Mammoths, one a five-yard touchdown catch by Wilson, and the other a one-yard touchdown rush by Maxwell, his second of the night.
Maine's drive ending in Maxwell's touchdown chewed up nearly nine minutes of game clock, most of it in the fourth quarter. Carolina went on to score two more touchdowns, and Maine one more, resulting in the Mammoths crushing the Cobras 55-29. The Mammoths enter a bye week next week and then return to Cross Insurance arena to face the Columbus Lions on Saturday, July 14th.
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 Maine Mammoths quarterback Jonathan Bane |
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- Mammoths Upset Cobras 55-29 - Maine Mammoths
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