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NORFOLK, Va. — Visiting Maine limited Norfolk State to 224 total yards, and Maine quarterback Marcus Wasilewski tossed an 85-yard touchdown pass to Zedric Joseph in the third quarter to help the Black Bears top the Spartans 23-6 in the season-opener for both on Saturday night at Dick Price Stadium.

Leading 13-6 midway through the third, Wasilewski avoided a heavy NSU rush deep in his own end and found Joseph streaking uncovered out of the backfield. Joseph did most of the work, sprinting down the right sideline to complete an 85-yard TD play that gave Maine some breathing room.

The Spartans were unable to get much going offensively in the second half, and Maine kicker Sean Decloux's 26-yard field goal at the 6:51 mark of the fourth quarter – his third field goal of the night – clinched the outcome.

Maine scored the first 13 points of the game to put the Spartans on their heels. The Black Bears took advantage of good field position to get on the board with a pair of Decloux field goals, covering 33 and 41 yards. The two scoring drives covered 23 and 13 yards, respectively.

Rickey Stevens then capped an eight-play, 63-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run with 10:19 left in the second quarter to give Maine a 13-0 advantage.

The Spartans cut into their deficit less than five minutes later. Sophomore transfer quarterback Malik Stokes came off the bench and led NSU on a five-play, 68-yard drive, hitting tight end Joseph Hawkins on a 34-yard TD pass over the middle. The extra point was wide, but the Spartans were within 13-6 with 5:57 remaining in the second quarter.

But that would be all the Spartans could muster against a stout Maine defense. Stokes and fellow sophomore Tyler Clark, who got the start under center for NSU, combined to complete 13 of 37 passes for 144 yards and one interception. Boston College transfer Rolandan Finch led all rushers with 17 carries for 80 yards for NSU. Finch and Hawkins had three receptions apiece, with Hawkins pacing the Spartans with 49 receiving yards.

Wasilewski was 15-of-28 for 209 yards for Maine, with one TD and one interception. Derrick Johnson led Maine's receivers with eight catches for 82 yards.

Linebacker Marcell Coke had a career-high 11 tackles for NSU. Marcus Center added nine and forced a fumble. Deon King made five tackles, three for loss, and had one sack. Lynden Trail also made five tackles, 0.5 for a loss, and forced and recovered a fumble. Darrin Marrow intercepted a pass and had a pass breakup.

Cabrinni Goncalves spearheaded Maine's defense with 13 tackles and two sacks. The Black Bears finished with five sacks.

The Spartans hit the road for a televised game next Saturday at Rutgers, the third all-time meeting between the schools. Kickoff is slated for noon in Piscataway, N.J., and the game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.