It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Maine Maritime Academy’s triple-option offense.
Most of the time, the quarterback hands it to the fullback up the middle or he fakes it and carries it himself or he pitches it to one of his halfbacks.
But it just may take a rocket launcher to stop it.
The Mariners from Castine lead the nation’s NCAA Division III institutions in points per game (47.7) and rushing yards (509.8) and are second in total offense (532.8 ypg). Senior fullback Jim Bower of South Paris, a third team All-American last year, is second in rushing yards per game (179.5), and Matt Rende, a junior from Augusta, is among the nation’s top 10 rushing quarterbacks (128 ypg).
The Mariners have thrown just 22 passes en route to their 5-1 record.
“They have a lot of discipline and patience in running that offense,” said Westfield State head coach Steve Marino, whose Owls dropped a 42-21 decision to the Mariners. “They aren’t going to change it for anyone.”
“They don’t have the greatest players, the fastest players or the biggest players, but nobody is more disciplined and nobody works harder than they do,” added Marino. “Sometimes you’ll see teams change things if something isn’t working. Not them. They run it and run it and run it.”
Marino noted that having a player like Bower is certainly advantageous.
Framingham State coach Tom Kelley said Bower “is built for that offense and that position.”
“He’s a great player. And their quarterback is a good player,” said Marino. “Their line isn’t huge, they don’t have any 300-pounders, but they’re quick and they know their blocking schemes. They do a great job cut blocking and blocking the back side and getting underneath people. Everybody has a job, everybody does their job and they just keep coming at you.”
“Their system works for the type of personnel they have,” said Fitchburg State coach Paul McGonagle, whose Falcons dealt the Mariners their only loss, 46-44 on Sept. 25.
“They’re simply a good team that has been doing it (the triple-option) well for awhile. Chris (MMA head coach Chris McKenney) runs a great program. They’re well-coached and they have a lot of returnees on offense,” McGonagle added.
McGonagle said winning breeds winning and they have the confidence that accompanies a successful team.
“They’ve been like a machine this year,” said McGonagle.
Marino and McGonagle agreed that it is difficult to simulate the Mariners’ triple-option in practice to prepare for them.
“It usually takes your guys a couple of (MMA) possessions before they get a feel for what is going on and, by that time, you may be down two scores,” said Marino.
“Their offensive line is the best one we’ve seen all year,” said Kelley, whose Rams dropped a 50-26 decision to MMA last weekend. “That offense is hard to stop.”
The veteran offensive line is well-versed in its assignments.
It is comprised of senior center Dan Weamer, senior right guard Mike Secord of Windham, junior left guard Andrew McCann from Rumford, senior right tackle Mike Durrell of Livermore and alternating left tackles Michael Gendron, a junior, and Tom Houle, a sophomore.
No one appreciates the offensive line more than Rende.
“They don’t get enough credit,” said Rende. “They create a whole new line of scrimmage. Even if I make a bad read (on the option), we still make a couple of yards.”
Weamer said the blocking scheme boils down to the “guards clearing out and creating room for (Bower) to run through and the center and tackles getting to the linebackers and then going downfield looking for another block.”
He said having two other seniors and battle-tested junior McCann alongside is a luxury for him and the young linemen.
Bower has already rushed for 1,077 yards on 132 carries for an 8.2 yards-per-carry average.
Rende has racked up 768 yards on 85 carries for a 9.0 average.
Wingbacks Nick Bourassa of Jay and Todd Murphy have rushed for 486 and 403 yards, respectively, and are averaging 11.3 and 12.6 yards per carry.
Nate Duford leads the receivers in catches with four and the other wide receiver is either Alex Grant or South Portland freshman Spencer Bowring. They have also been valuable blockers.
Rende is in his first season as the full-time starter after replacing Tyler Angell. His ability to read the option is vital to the offense’s success.
“I’ve got big shoes to fill. I’m just trying to do my job,” said Rende. “It all starts with the offensive line. It’s nice to have Jim (Bower) back as well as our starting halfbacks (Murphy and Bourassa). We operate well as a team. Everyone does their own part. If (defenses) take one thing away, something else opens up.”
He said getting some repetitions his first two seasons has helped him with the transition.
“You can practice it all you want, but it takes game experience (to perfect it). That’s when you see what it’s like and how much faster the reads are,” said Rende.
The Mariners host archrival Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Saturday at noon and finish the regular season at Bridgewater State and at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as they seek a second straight New England Football Conference championship and NCAA Division III Tournament berth.
“We’re just taking things week to week,” said Weamer.