Following a productive career at Mercer University in Georgia, quarterback Carter Peevy transferred to the University of Maine and won the starting job last fall.
And he was a key component in UMaine’s improvement as the Black Bears won five games, which was one more than they had accumulated in the previous two seasons combined.
Peevy completed 66.6 percent of his passes (213-for-320) for 2,422 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was intercepted just five times. He threw for more than 200 yards six times and threw at least two touchdown passes in five games, including four against Bryant.
He also carried the ball 87 times for 349 yards. But because he lost 278 yards primarily due to sacks, he wound up with a net of 71 rushing yards.
He was chosen a preseason All-Coastal Athletic Association honorable mention Wednesday during media day.
The mobile 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, who led Mercer to a Football Championship Subdivision playoff berth in 2023, is looking forward to the upcoming season.
He had to deal with a nagging knee injury last season but proclaimed himself healthy for this campaign.
“I feel great. I’m in some of the best shape I’ve ever been in,” Peevy said Wednesday. “My body is feeling great. I’ve got a lot of confidence going into this year.”
UMaine head coach Jordan Stevens said Peevy “has been terrific in terms of his growth, mindset and his ability to continue to put himself out there as a leader.”
Stevens said Peevy had to adapt to a new environment in a short period of time a year ago. He came to UMaine for the second semester of 2024 and participated in the spring football program, turning in a solid performance in the Jeff Cole Memorial Spring Game.
“A lot transpired in a short period of time,” Stevens said. “He was accurate and took care of the ball very well. He didn’t turn the ball over which gave his teammates a chance to compete [for a win] at the end. That was great to see.”
Peevy’s continued growth as a leader and comfortability around his teammates “lends itself to higher production,” according to Stevens.
“This year, he has elevated everyone around him and that’s only going to make him better,” Stevens said. “You see how hard he works in everything he does on campus, in the classroom or on the field and his teammates recognize that.”
Graduate student Peevy, who completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 2,284 yards and 11 touchdowns for Mercer in 2023 and also rushed for 324 yards and 11 TDs, said Stevens and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mikahael Waters did a “great job” getting him acclimated to the team and the offensive system a year ago.
“They made me feel comfortable with everything. I expect year two to be even better because I’ve been around the guys and I know my teammates even better now,” Peevy said. “I’m really comfortable with them.”
UMaine, a FCS team, opens the season against Football Bowl Subdivision team Liberty University of Virginia on Aug. 30. FBS schools have more scholarships and resources than FCS schools.
UMaine, 5-7 last fall and 3-5 in conference play, was picked to finish ninth among 14 teams in Wednesday’s CAA preseason coaches poll.
