The offense has been almost non-existent this season for the University of Maine football team.
On Saturday, the Black Bears — who are averaging only 201 yards per contest — again intend to alternate quarterback between sophomore Dan Collins and first-year Drew Belcher, as they open their Colonial Athletic Association schedule against the defending national runners-up in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Maine Black Bears (1-2) vs. Towson Tigers (2-2), 7 p.m., Johnny Unitas Stadium, Towson, Maryland: It is expected to be a hard-hitting, run-oriented game that pits the least potent passing teams in the league. UMaine mustered just 10.0 points per game thus far.
“We need to be more productive,” UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove said. “Without a doubt, we’re kind of stuck in a situation where we’re playing hard but we’re making mistakes, a lot of individual breakdowns, which lead to problems.”
The Black Bears want to get the ground game on track and hope to welcome back junior tailback Nigel Jones (39 carries, 137 yards), who missed last week with an undisclosed injury. They also will employ both of their quarterbacks, although Collins has passed for only 356 yards and 3 TDs on 48 percent accuracy.
“Once we got involved with it (the platoon system), it was a commitment we wanted to move forward with to see growth at that position, too,” Cosgrove said.
“I think it works for us right now and is something that we’re going to continue to work with.”
Towson, which has given up 402.5 yards per game, including 253.5 through the air, is led defensively by linebacker James Simms (44 tackles) and safety Donnell Lewis (35 tackles).
UMaine is charged with slowing one of the most productive backs in the CAA, Darius Victor (114.2 ypg, 4 TDs), in addition to QB Connor Frazier (50 ypg rushing, 46-for-87 passing, 429 yds., 2 TDs, 1 interception).
“I think he’s as good a back as we’ll see all year,” Cosgrove said of Victor. “He’s a guy that you really have to execute your tackling techniques on.”
The Black Bears count on linebackers Chris Mulumba Tshimanga (36 tackles) and Randy Samuels (16) and safety Davonte Burke (22) to set the run-stopping tone.
UMaine will be without backup linebacker Austin Brown, who was injured at Boston College.
UMaine also seeks more consistency from punter Jeff Ondish, who can be an important weapon when he kicks well.
Western New England Bears (2-0) vs. Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (1-1), 1 p.m., Ritchie Field, Castine: The Mariners open New England Football Conference play with their Homecoming game.
MMA is the top rushing team in Division III, cranking out 477 yards per game. The Mariners, coming off a tough 26-20 overtime loss to rival Massachusetts Maritime, feature a trio of 100-yard rushers in QB Michael Fahey (166 ypg), Jacob Doolan (107 ypg) and Joe DiBiase (106 ypg).
WNE, which was idle last week, relies on a good run-pass balance with RB Kevin Cook (94 ypg) and QB Tyler Ward (179 ypg passing).
Middlebury Panthers (0-1) vs. Colby Mules (0-1), 1 p.m., Seaverns Field at Alfond Stadium, Waterville: The Mules look to bounce back after a season-opening 32-7 loss to Trinity. The Panthers have won the last three meetings.
Saturday’s other games: Amherst (1-0) at Bowdoin (0-1), 12:30 p.m.; Bates (0-1) at Tufts (1-0), 1 p.m.