Maine Maritime Academy of Castine will try to shake off the effects of an emotional week as it continues its quest for the New England Football Conference Bogan Division title.
The Mariners, who lost assistant coach Richard Dykas II to a tragic automobile accident early Sunday morning, play a key road game to highlight Saturday’s schedule of Maine college football contests.
The University of Maine has a bye week, but Husson University of Bangor, Colby College of Waterville, Bates College of Lewiston and Bowdoin College of Brunswick are all in action.
Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (6-1) at Bridgewater State Bears (5-3), noon, Bridgewater, Mass.: Coach Chris McKenney’s team is likely to be keeping Dykas in their minds as they fight for a divisional crown.
The Mariners are 5-1 and lead the Bogan Division, by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker with Framingham State. However, the Bears are 3-2 in the division and could put themselves back in the hunt with a victory.
MMA continues to dominate with its option offense, which has cranked out a Division III-best 484.4 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Matt Rende of Augusta (130.7 yards per game rushing) directs the attack, which features fullback Jim Bower of South Paris (163.3 ypg), the nation’s No. 3 rusher.
Halfbacks Nick Bourassa of Jay and Todd Murphy continue to provide balance in the ground game for the Mariners, who edged rival Massachusetts Maritime 28-27 last weekend.
Bridgewater State has responded to a three-game losing streak with three straight victories, including a 28-13 win last Saturday at Fitchburg State. Quarterback Mike Murphy is a pass and run threat for the Bears.
Mount Ida Mustangs (4-3) at Husson Eagles (1-7), 1 p.m., Winkin Complex, Bangor: The Eagles have re-established some confidence and productiveness on the offensive side of the ball in recent weeks.
Husson, coming off a 55-51 setback against Castleton State, nonetheless had the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and ECAC Division III North Offensive Player of the Week in Justin Lindie. The junior tailback from Winslow rushed for 253 yards and five touchdowns on 29 carries.
The Eagles’ defense continues to be led by safety Kyle Vanidestine of Bangor (80 tackles) and linebacker Mike Toothaker of Wilton (64).
Mount Ida sits in fourth place in the ECFC standings and is still battling for a playoff spot. The Mustangs had a two-game winning streak snapped last week in a 37-35 loss to Maritime College (N.Y.).
Colby Mules (2-3) at Bates Bobcats (1-4), 1 p.m., Garcelon Field, Lewiston: This game kicks off the hotly contested Colby-Bates-Bowdoin series and is the 112th meeting between the two programs. The Mules lead the all-time series 63-42 with six ties.
Colby, which is coming off a 35-7 New England Small College Athletic Conference victory over Hamilton, will play for the first time on Bates’ new FieldTurf facility. The Mules, who won last year’s contest 34-7 in Waterville, are paced defensively by linebacker Tom Duffy (48 tackles).
The Bobcats dropped a 22-9 verdict last Saturday at Middlebury. Bates linebacker Myles is among the NESCAC’s leading tacklers with 57.
Today’s other game: Bowdoin at Wesleyan, 1 p.m.