Former UMaine star earns 5th All-Pro spot for Baltimore Ravens

Former University of Maine third-team All-American defensive end and current Baltimore Raven Patrick Ricard has been named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster for the fifth time in his career.

The 6-foot-1, 250-pound fullback is the only former Black Bear to be selected to the Pro Bowl five times. He is only the eighth player in Ravens history to be selected to at least five Pro Bowls.

The Spencer, Massachusetts native spent his first three seasons with the Ravens as a rare two-way player, used both on defense and as a fullback on offense.

As an undrafted free agent, he became a full-time offensive lineman in 2020.

Ricard was a key component in one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks this season, using his punishing blocking attacks to create gaps for running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens lead the NFL with 424.21 yards per game and are second with 2,969 yards, just 28 fewer than the Philadelphia Eagles.

But the Ravens’ 6.9 yards per play and 5.7 rushing yards per carry are tops in the NFL.

They also lead the NFL in runs of 20 or more yards with 26, a red zone efficiency of 74.2 percent and games with at least 150 rushing yards (12).

Their 185.6 rushing yards per game are the second best in the NFL.

The Ravens have averaged at least five yards per carry in 13 games, which is the highest in the league and also ties the franchise record.

The Ravens, who are 11-5 in the playoffs, close out their regular season by hosting the Cleveland Browns 3-13 on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Ricard caught two passes for eight yards this season, including a three-yard touchdown reception in a 41-10 win over Denver.

Ricard, 30, caught 47 passes for 301 yards and seven touchdowns in his seven-year, 120-game career. Sixteen of his receptions gave him first downs.

Ricard played in 44 games for the Black Bears and was involved in 208 tackles, including 47.5 tackles for lost yards. He had 18 sacks, 11 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a pair of blocked kicks.