BROOKLINE, Mass. – Northeastern did a good job taking away the University of Maine’s running game Saturday afternoon.

All that did was open the door for quarterback Jake Eaton to show off the Black Bears’ improving passing attack.

Eaton completed 17 of 30 passes good for 260 yards and two touchdowns, sparking UMaine to a solid 21-9 Atlantic 10 football victory at Parsons Field.

Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Bears improved to 4-1 (3-1 in conference play) while snapping a six-game road losing streak that dated back nearly two years.

“We felt like they were going to take the run game away from us and they did a pretty good job of that,” Cosgrove said. “[But] Jake threw the ball well today. He was on his game and we have great confidence in him.”

The Bears’ defense was again superb, holding its opponent without a touchdown for the third straight game. (Northeastern scored its TD on a punt return).

Junior linebacker Stephen Cooper racked up a game-high 12 tackles and made one of his team’s four interceptions to spark the effort. He was named the A-10 Defensive Player of the Week.

Tailback L.J. McKanas rambled to a game-high 167 yards on his way to the Northeastern career rushing record (2,641 yards), but UMaine limited two NU quarterbacks to a lackluster 13-for-43 combined passing performance.

“Three weeks in a row, no touchdowns,” Cosgrove said, “I really liked the way we responded in the pass game. We had one interception coming into today, so that was big to see that happen.”

Cornerback Devon Goree picked off two passes and corner Lennard Byrd had the other for the Bears.

“Guys making big plays, that’s what it’s all about, our defense,” said Cooper, UMaine’s defensive catalyst.

Safety Dave Cusano and end Brendan Curry registered seven tackles each for the Bears, while Lofa Tatupu contributed six. Byrd also made four pass break-ups.

UMaine clung to a 7-3 lead early in the third quarter, but answered Colin Gaynor’s 40-yard field goal with a sparkling 11-play, 93-yard touchdown drive.

Eaton completed six throws on the march, including a 64-yard fade ball to Paris Minor (six receptions, 137 yards) down the left sideline. He also hit Minor on a clutch fourth-down pass to the NU-7.

“The line gave me the extra second in the pocket to step up,” Eaton said. “Paris made a nice, safe catch and got a first down.”

John Gelsomino’s 1-yard plunge four plays later helped the Bears make it 14-3 with 6:40 left in the third.

Goree’s interception and 22-yard return set up the Bears’ final score early in the fourth quarter. Eaton found Stefan Gomes (six catches, 75 yards) on a 14-yard inside route, giving UMaine a 21-3 bulge with 12:03 remaining.

Northeastern (1-4, 1-3 A-10) scored the first touchdown against UMaine since Sept. 22 when Quintin Mitchell caught a Mike Mellow punt at midfield and raced untouched down the left side with 7:01 left.

The Bears had jumped in front with a nine-play, 68-yard scoring drive on the game’s opening possession. Gomes made a nifty sideline catch on a 23-yard timing toss to help set up his leaping reception over an NU defender for a 16-yard TD.

UMaine received outstanding offensive line play despite losing starting tackle Zack Magliaro and backup guard Brian Williams to first-half injuries. Freshman guard Josh Watson of Limington also played his first full game for the Bears with tackles Pete Richardson of Millinocket and Matt Hammond, center Mike Leconte of South Portland and backup guard John Kmety.

“We had to switch some people around, we had some young guys in there,” Cosgrove said. “It’s good to see that. This has been a team effort all year long.”

UMaine did struggle again with penalties, incurring 14 flags for 95 yards, but the Bears were able to overcome their transgressions.

Eaton, on the strength of a 48-yard QB draw, emerged as UMaine’s top rusher with 64 yards on six carries. Senior tailback Royston English netted 43 yards on 17 tries, passing Ben Sirmans (1988-92) for seventh place on the school’s all-time rushing list.

English now has 2,136 career yards.

BLACK BEARS 21, HUSKIES 9

Maine (4-1) 7 0 7 7?21

Northeastern (1-4) 0 0 3 6?9

M?Gomes 16 pass from Eaton (DeVinney kick)

N?Gaynor 40 FG

M?Gelsomino 1 run (DeVinney kick)

M?Gomes 14 pass from Eaton (DeVinney kick)

N?Mitchell 50 punt ruturn (rush failed)

Maine Northeastern

First downs 14 16

Rushing att.-yards 35-147 33-171

Passing comp.-att. 17-30 13-43

Passing yards 260 152

Total yards 407 323

Punts-avg. 9-38.6 6-38.7

Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0

Intercepted by 4 1

Penalties-yards 14-95 7-60

Rushing

Maine: Eaton 6-64, English 17-43, Henry 9-36, Gelsomino 2-5, Williams 1- -1; Northeastern: McKanas 26-167, Connor 3-16, Santos 2- -1, Browne 2- -11

Passing

Maine: Eaton 17-30-1-260; Northeastern: Browne 8-25-1-101, Galli 5-18-3-51

Receiving

Maine: Minor 6-137, Gomes 6-75, Hayes 4-46, Gelsomino 1-2; Northeastern: MaKanas 3-47, Mack 2-46, Alsup 2-17, Santos 2-12, Delgado 2-11, Philcox 1-12, Cegernko 1-7

A?5,221