Tulane has taken its lumps during the first two weeks of the 2015 football season.
For that reason, the University of Maine expects to encounter a highly motivated Green Wave squad when it returns to action Saturday night in New Orleans.
Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears meet their second straight Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, this one coming off a bye week, searching for the program’s third victory against a higher-level Division I program.
“We’re gonna see a team that’s working to right the ship, has a home game opportunity against an opponent that they can look at in the eye and feel like they’re a better team,” Cosgrove said. “From our perspective, that just makes it a tremendously challenging endeavor for us.”
Maine Black Bears (0-1) at Tulane Green Wave (0-2), 8:04 p.m., Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana: UMaine has enjoyed an extra week of rest and preparation for a big test in “The Big Easy.” The Black Bears were solid on defense in their 24-3 loss on Sept. 5 at Boston College, but they must generate more offense to have a chance to post the upset.
Tulane plays in the American Athletic Conference that includes the likes of Cincinnati, East Carolina and SMU. The Green Wave is coming off a 65-10 rout at the hands of No. 15 Georgia Tech.
That serves as small consolation to the UMaine contingent.
Tulane’s offensive catalysts include quarterback Tanner Lee (38-for-72 passing, 411 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions), fullback Lazedrick Thompson (43 yards per game) and wide receivers Devon Breaux (eight receptions, 179 yards, two TDs) and Teddy Veal (7-71).
“Their speed, their size, their abilities catch your attention,” Cosgrove said. “They’ve got a big, physical offensive line, some very talented receivers, a quarterback who can throw the football and a big fullback/tailback that can run the ball and is very physical.”
The Green Wave has netted only 519 total yards in two games, including its opener against Duke. UMaine counters with a defense spearheaded by linebackers Cabrinni Goncalves and Randy Samuels (six tackles, one sack), end Trevor Bates (five tackles, one sack) and cornerback Sherrod Baltimore (four tackles).
The Black Bears have some injury concerns as junior linebacker Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga is sidelined with a deep bruise on his left leg and sophomore safety Darrius Hart is out with a right leg issue.
The secondary will be manned by redshirt freshmen Sinmisola Demuren and Mozai Nelson and sophomore Jason Matovu.
UMaine is looking to establish the run behind tailback Nigel Beckford, who was suspended for the opener. Quarterback Dan Collins (12-for-29, 84 yds., one INT) and wideout Micah Wright (5-28) are other key performers.
Junior tight end Jeremy Salmon is out with an undisclosed injury.
Tulane has surrendered 51 points per game, including an average of 322.5 ypg on the ground. The unit is headed by linebacker Nico Marley (21 tackles), the grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, along with LB Jarrod Franklin (17 tackles) and free safety Donnie Lewis (14).
UMaine has been dealing with an unseasonably warm September, but with game-time temperatures expected to be in the mid 80s and considerable humidity, Tulane’s “12th man” may well be the weather.
“I still don’t think that is sufficient enough for what it will be down there,” Cosgrove said. “It’s a thick, chewy type of humidity that’s going to be challenging for our guys.”
Massachusetts Maritime Buccaneers (1-0) at Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (0-1), noon, Ritchie Field, Castine: These two traditional rivals meet again with the Admirals Cup on the line for the 43rd time. The Buccaneers have won four consecutive meetings, including a 26-20 double-overtime decision at Buzzards Bay.
Maine Maritime is coming off a bye week in the wake of a season-opening 30-0 loss at SUNY Maritime. Meanwhile, Mass. Maritime last Saturday posted a 48-13 victory over the same SUNY Maritime contingent.
Coach Chris McKenney’s Mariners look to get their option offense clicking behind quarterback Michael Fahey and running backs Josh Doolan and Jacob Doolan. However, Maine Maritime must contend with a Mass. Maritime squad that ran 80 plays and racked up 541 yards of total offense in their debut.