The University of Maine football team has been dealing with inexperience and injuries as it tries to develop some offensive consistency this season.
Ditto for traditional New England rival Rhode Island, which has encountered similar difficulties during what thus far has been a winless season.
“It all starts, with both teams, at quarterback. They lost theirs, we lost ours,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove.
“They’re searching and we’re searching for a quarterback that can be the team leader, the guy,” he said.
Something has to give on Saturday afternoon.
Maine Black Bears (2-5) vs. Rhode Island Rams (0-7), noon, Meade Stadium, Kingston, Rhode Island: The Black Bears have won seven straight in this matchup, but the team’s offensive woes should mean this game is another tight one.
UMaine, which is 1-2 in Colonial Athletic Association play, ranks 12th (last) in league total offense (232 yards per game) and rushing (75.6 ypg), while Rhode Island (0-3 CAA) ranks 11th in both categories, league total offense (262.4 ypg) and rushing (77.7 ypg).
The Black Bears need better blocking to pave the way for freshman tailback Nigel Beckford, who gained a career-best 75 yards in the 20-7 loss to Albany, and protect first-year quarterback Drew Belcher, who went 13-for-30 with 123 yards and a touchdown against the Great Danes.
Senior Damarr Aultman (27 catches, 315 yards, 1 TD) has been the leader of the receiving corps.
The Rams, which dropped a 37-0 decision last week at Richmond, looks to junior quarterback Kolt Peavey, who got the start at Richmond; frosh running back Harold Cooper; and wideouts Phadrae White (26-239) and Robbie Jackson (24-310, 2 TDs) to make plays.
URI also has been plagued by turnovers, ranking last in the Football Championship Subdivision at minus-13, including 12 lost fumbles.
Both teams also feature freshman starters on the offensive lines.
UMaine’s defense should have the upper hand, having allowed only 23.3 points and 345.3 yards per contest, both of which are top-four efforts in the CAA. Linebackers Chris Mulumba Tshimanga (69 tackles) and Cabrinni Goncalves (53) and safety Davonte Burke (45) are the leading tacklers for the Bears.
The Rams have surrendered a league-high 39.7 points and 494.4 yards per game. Their leaders include linebackers Andrew Bose (69 tackles) and Adam Parker (55).
BEAR TRACKS: There have been few changes on the injury front for UMaine. Quarterback Dan Collins and wideout Micah Wright are both out for the season with shoulder injuries, while tailback Nigel Jones and offensive guards Dan Carriker and Chase Hoyt and linebacker Randy Samuels are all out again this week. Wideout Jordan Dunn returned to practice on Thursday and is questionable.
Husson Eagles (4-1) vs. Castleton State Spartans (4-2), 1 p.m., Spartan Stadium, Castleton, Vermont: The top spot in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference is on the line in this one.
Coach Gabby Price’s Eagles (3-1 ECFC) hope the team’s stingy defense can shackle an offense that has posted 37 ppg to help the Spartans post a 2-1 league mark.
Husson has allowed only 15.6 points and 245.6 yards per game behind the play of safety Stephan Dance (46 tackles) and linebacker Ellis Throckmorton of Bangor (37).
Castleton has used good balance, passing for 1,133 yards and rushing for 835 yards led by QB Tyler Higley, RB Corey Brimmer and WR Kevin Alberque.
Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (2-3) vs. Nichols Bison (1-6), noon, Vendetti Field, Massachusetts: The Mariners beat Coast Guard last week to snap a three-game losing skid. Maine Maritime Academy hopes to match its defensive effort after affording the Bears only 313 yards and coming up with five turnovers, including four interceptions.
Nichols has dropped four in a row, including last week’s 52-20 defeat against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Bison have managed only 281 yards and 12.4 points per outing.
Saturday’s other games: Colby (1-4) at Bates (1-4), 1 p.m.; Bowdoin (2-3) at Wesleyan (4-1), 12:30 p.m.