ORONO, Maine — Twice already this season, the University of Maine football team has responded to a loss by earning a victory in the next game.
Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears will try to shake the sting of their 21-10 loss to Yale last Saturday as they return to Colonial Athletic Association action against a rugged Stony Brook squad.
UMaine, 2-1 in league play, hopes to regain its collective confidence with another important contest.
Stony Brook Seawolves (2-3) at Maine Black Bears (2-4), 12:30 p.m., Alfond Stadium, Orono: The Black Bears expect a hard-hitting game against the Seawolves, who present a challenge with a big offense that likes to run the ball. That puts much of the onus on UMaine’s front seven to handle that dynamic.
“They’re a big, physical football team,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “They want to establish the run and they’ve got some good skill in the backfield and at receiver. They might use some bigger personnel groupings than you’re used to seeing.”
Stony Brook has posted 164 rushing yards per game led by Isaiah White (46.4 ypg) but has been spotty through the air, as quarterbacks Joe Carbone and Conor Bednarski have combined to throw for only 801 yards and five touchdowns with 4 interceptions.
However, wideout Ray Bolden is among the league leaders with 32 receptions for 395 yards and 4 TDs.
UMaine, which ranks third against the run in the CAA (124.7 ypg) has been led by linebacker Randy Samuels (43 tackles, 2 INTs), end Trevor Bates of Westbrook (30 tackles) and tackle Pat Ricard (29 tackles). However, Yale’s ground assault was the difference last week.
“It was the run game in the second half that won the football game for them,” Cosgrove said.
SBU (1-3 CAA) has lost three straight, including last week’s 21-14 setback against Towson. The Seawolves are third in total defense (320.8 ypg) and scoring defense (19 ppg) behind safeties Tyrice Beverette (41 tackles), Naim Cheeseboro (31) and linebacker Julian Quintin (30 tackles, 1 INT).
The Black Bears have to try to establish more consistency in the run game led by tailback Nigel Beckford (68.6 ypg, 4 TDs). However, they’ll also have to make some plays through the air with QBs Dan Collins (93-for-187, 987 yds., 2 TDs, 7 INTs) and Drew Belcher (23-for-36, 255 yds., 3 TDs, 1 INT) throwing to top wide receivers Micah Wright (34-481-3) and Jordan Dunn (29-291-1).
Husson Eagles (4-1) at Gallaudet Bison (0-5), 1 p.m., Hotchkiss Field, Washington, D.C.: The first-place Eagles make the long trip in search of their fourth Eastern Collegiate Football Conference victory.
Husson has allowed only 17 points and 223 yards per game, including just 57 rushing yards per contest. Gallaudet has mustered only 8.8 points and 198 yards a game.
Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (1-4) at Endicott Gulls (2-4), noon, Endicott Stadium, Beverly, Massachusetts: The Mariners, who have dropped three in a row, go in search of their first New England Football Conference win. MMA is the fifth most productive rushing team in Division III at 344.4 yards per outing, but continues to be forgiving on defense.