The University of Maine football team is on the road for the first of back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association games looking to build on a victory over Rhode Island.
The Black Bears will try to get past a Richmond squad that is ranked 19th in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Coach Jack Cosgrove’s squad has won three in a row against the Spiders, including last season’s 33-20 win over a No. 8 team that reached the second round of the playoffs.
Maine Black Bears (1-2) at Richmond Spiders (2-1), 3:30 p.m., Robins Stadium, Richmond, Virginia: The Black Bears head south of the Mason-Dixon Line hoping to avoid the penalty issues that plagued them last week.
The special teams matchup pits UMaine kicker Sean Decloux against Richmond’s Peter Yoder. Decloux set a school record with his 36th field goal last week, while Yoder set Richmond’s single-season mark with 19 in 2014.
The Black Bears’ defense, led by end Trevor Bats (20 tackles, three sacks) and linebacker Randy Samuels (15 tackles, one interception), encounters a Richmond team that has cranked out 31.3 points and 382 yards per game.
The Spiders’ attack features rugged tailback Seth Fisher (34 carries, 175 yards, three touchdowns) and RB Jacobi Green (30-143-2), while quarterback Kyle Lauletta (53-for-84 passing, 676 yards, five TDs, one INT) targets Brian Brown (12 receptions, 176 yards) and Reggie Diggs (12 rec., 167 yards, one TD).
The Black Bears likely will need to boost their offensive production against a Richmond squad that has surrendered 29.3 points and 397 yards per outing. The leaders include linebacker Omar Howard (25 tackles) and safety David Jones (19 tackles, three INTs).
UMaine relies on tailback Nigel Beckford (30 att., 149 yds., two TDs), quarterback Dan Collins (37-for-79, 426 yds., three INTs) and wideouts Micah Wright (20 rec., 274 yds., one TD) and Jordan Dunn (7-85-0).
Castleton State Spartans (2-1) at Husson Eagles (1-1), 1 p.m., Winkin Complex, Bangor: Husson ends a two-week layoff by playing its Eastern Collegiate Football Conference opener.
Coach Gabby Price’s Eagles last played Sept. 12 at Alfred State (a 44-2 win), while the Spartans beat Alfred State 35-20 last week.
The Husson defense, spearheaded by linebacker Ellis Throckmorton (18 tackles) and safety Kenny Sweet (15 tackles, three INTs), meets a Castleton offense that leads the ECFC throwing the ball. Quarterback George Busharis has completed 68 percent of his passes for 684 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions.
Coast Guard Cadets (2-2) at Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (1-2), noon, Ritchie Field, Castine: The Mariners hope to get back on track in a New England Football Conference clash against the Cadets.
Maine Maritime is coming off a 51-26 loss to MIT, while Coast Guard edged Salve Regina 21-20. The Cadets have allowed 239 rushing yards per game and face a Mariners option scheme that has piled up 340 yards per outing.
Fullback James Ferrar (107.7 ypg) and quarterback Michael Fahey (84.3 ypg) are two of the key cogs in the Maine Maritime machine.