The University of Maine and Husson University will be entering uncharted territory on Saturday afternoon.
The Black Bears travel to North Carolina for the program’s first-ever meeting with Colonial Athletic Association opponent Elon.
Meanwhile, the Eagles take to the road with an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference title riding on the outcome in their game at Mount Ida.
Maine Black Bears (4-5) vs. Elon Phoenix (1-9), 3 p.m., Rhodes Stadium, Elon, North Carolina: Coach Jack Cosgrove’s team seeks a third straight victory in its first meeting against the Phoenix.
UMaine (3-3 CAA) is coming off a 33-20 upset of then-No. 8 Richmond during which it caused five turnovers, including four interceptions. This time, the Black Bears team hopes to avoid getting knocked off by an Elon squad (0-6 CAA) that will be celebrating “Senior Day.”
While the defense stole the show against Richmond, UMaine is intent on continuing to develop its run game. The Bears have averaged 195 yards on the ground in the last two games and encounter an Elon defense that has allowed 203.1 yards per game via the run.
UMaine’s improving offensive line looks to open holes for a pair of freshmen, quarterback Drew Belcher and tailback Nigel Beckford.
Beckford is the top rusher (80 carries, 343 yards, four touchdowns), while Belcher continues to demonstrate his running skills having netted 206 yards on 73 carries with a TD. UMaine ranks last in CAA total offense (253.8 ypg).
Elon also has surrendered 213.7 passing yards per game, but the Bears haven’t been able to generate much through the air, netting only 151.7 ypg. UMaine’s best threats are wide receivers Damarr Aultman (41 receptions, 451 yards, one TD) and Jordan Dunn (26-188-3).
The Phoenix team, which has given up 416.6 ypg, is paced defensively by linebackers Jonathan Spain (99 tackles, one interception) and John Silas (78 tackles) and safety Chris Blair (76 tackles, one INT.).
Elon puts the ball in the air frequently, with quarterback Mike Quinn having completed 231 of 411 passes for 2,082 yards, eight TDs and 11 INTs. The team ranks fifth in CAA passing (220 ypg) and has consistent receiving threats in Kierre Brown (50-586-3), Demitri Allison (49-457-1) and Andre Davis (45-388-1).
The team has struggled to run the ball, netting a league-low 85 ypg led by Tracey Coppedge (151 carries, 585 yards, one TD).
UMaine has the No. 3 defense in the CAA, allowing only 336 ypg, and has held opponents to 22 ppg. The team ranks second against the pass (175 ypg).
Linebackers Chris Mulumba Tshimanga (80 tackles, one INT) and Cabrinni Goncalves (65 tackles, one INT), along with end Trevor Bates (47 tackles, three INTs) are UMaine’s top tacklers.
Husson Eagles (7-1) vs. Mount Ida Mustangs (5-4), Mount Ida Stadium, Newton, Massachusetts: Coach Gabby Price’s team (6-0 ECFC) goes after its first-ever conference championship in a head-to-head battle with the Mustangs (5-1). Mount Ida has won the last five meetings.
With a victory, Husson also would earn the ECFC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship tournament. If Mount Ida wins and Norwich defeats Castleton State, a league tie-breaking procedure would determine the champion.
The teams have been the stingiest in the league, allowing only 12 points per game, while Husson tops ECFC teams while scoring 33.7 points per outing. Mount Ida, on the other hand, has managed only 16.3 ppg in conference action.
The Eagles team has churned out seven consecutive wins, matching the school single-season record. The team has averaged 43.3 ppg in its last three games.
The Mustangs will have to contend with a balanced Husson attack that features league-leading tailback John Smith (140 carries, 986 yards, 12 TDs), quarterback Joe Seccareccia (97-for-194, 1,144 yards, seven TDs, nine INTs) and wideouts Duane Wiggins (23-320-1) and Ryan Stroud (22-304-2).
Mount Ida features the running talents of Melquan Pinkney (139-567-3) and Jaleel Battle (156-623-3), along with QB Jawad Yatim (86-for-186, 1,004 yds., 10 TDs, 13 INTs) and WR Matt Greenman (27-449-6).
Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (3-5) vs. Curry Colonels (2-7), 1 p.m., Katz Field, Milton, Massachusetts: The Mariners hope to close out the 2014 campaign on a winning note by beating the Colonels.
Maine Maritime Academy (2-4 New England Football Conference) is poised once again to lead all of Division III in rushing. The Mariners are averaging 401.8 yards per contest, spearheaded by Jacob Doolan (109-1,049-7) and Michael Fahey (209-956-10).