ORONO, Maine — University of Maine senior quarterback Dan Collins is coming off the most productive game of his career. He threw for a career-high 307 yards and three touchdowns, completing 21 of 33 passes in a 28-21 win at Delaware.
But Collins said there won’t be any afterglow from that performance on Saturday because the 17th-ranked Great Danes are in town for Saturday’s noon Colonial Athletic Association game.
“I don’t look back too much at the good stuff (from the previous game),” Collins said. “I’m just thinking about Albany.”
There has been plenty for Collins to think about when it comes to the Great Danes.
UAlbany’s defense leads the Football Championship Subdivision teams in turnover margin (plus-14), turnovers gained (19) and interceptions and is third in fumble recoveries (8) and 11th in scoring defense (19.2 points per game).
“We’ve got to get off to a fast start. We have to jump on them early and keep the ball away from their offense,” said Collins.
“They move around a lot on defense. They bring a lot of pressure,” said UMaine head coach Joe Harasymiak. “We’ve got to be ready for that.”
UAlbany (4-1, 1-1 Colonial Athletic Association) at UMaine (2-3, 1-1), noon, Saturday, Alfond Stadium, Orono: The road team has won the last six meetings between the two schools. Albany is 4-1 vs. Maine in Orono. UMaine ruined Albany’s homecoming a year ago 39-7. Harasymiak said the biggest difference for UAlbany this season has been the improvement of sophomore QB Neven Sussman (42 of 90, 593 yds., 6 TDs, 4 interceptions). His favorite target has been Zee Roberson (16 catches, 246 yds., 2 TDs). The Black Bears will also have to deal with the league’s No. 3 running back in Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks (117.8 ypg). Ibitokun-Hanks, who was recruited by UMaine, has rushed for 589 yards on 116 carries with 9 TDs. UMaine has surrendered 5.1 yards per carry and Harasymiak said the tackling must get better. The return of middle linebacker and leading tackler Christophe Mulumba-Tshimanga should help the run defense. UMaine has rushed for just 3.6 ypc. Josh Mack (37-196) and Zaire Williams (40-145) and Darian Davis-Ray (23-121) are the leading rushers. Collins (78-for-145, 1,075 yds., 7 TDs, 7 INTs) is averaging 215 passing yards per game, second most in the CAA. His receivers are led by Jaleel Reed (18-321) and Micah Wright (16-235). Jordan Dunn, who caught 56 passes a year ago, continues to improve after offseason knee surgery and could be a factor. Tshimanga (44 tackles), safety Jason Matovu (37) and linebacker Sterling Sheffield (33) pace the Black Bear defense while linebackers Michael Nicastro (57) and Abner Logan (50) and lineman Mike Hoskins (37, 4 sacks) have been UAlbany’s top tacklers.
Husson Eagles (4-1, 2-0 ECFC) at Castleton Spartans (2-3, 2-0 ECFC), Saturday, 1 p.m, Spartan Stadium, Castleton, Vermont: Husson has won the last three meetings including a 40-7 triumph last season. The Eagles lead the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference in sacks with 17 led by Luke Washburn’s conference-leading seven and Elvin Suazo Jr. (4). Husson needs to establish a strong pass rush because Spartans sophomore QB Mitchell Caron has completed 54 of 86 passes for 776 yards and five TDs. Castleton has won two straight while Husson takes a four-game win streak into the game. Husson’s John Smith suffered a minor ankle injury last weekend vs. Gallaudet but will be ready to go. He is the league’s leading rusher (130 carries, 802 yds.). Sophomore quarterback Cory Brandon (67 of 117, 878 yds., 9 TDs, receivers D.J. Allen, Andre Miller and Deon Wiggins (10 catches apiece). Soren Pelz-Walsh (26-376) and Makai Hawkins (19-176) are Caron’s favorite targets. Ellis Throckmorton (32 tackles) and Washburn (31) are Husson’s top tacklers while Darren Callan (79) and Jakob Trautwein (65) are Castleton’s leading defenders.
Endicott Gulls (2-3, 2-0 NEFC) at Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (1-3, 0-2 NEFC), Saturday, noon, Ritchie Field, Castine: Endicott has won all four meetings, including a 37-14 triumph in 2015. The key matchup will be MMA’s rushing attack, ranked 20th in Division III at 259.8 yards per game, against Endicott’s tenacious run defense (110.8 yards per game allowed). Jacob Doolan is averaging 107.5 rushing yards per game, third best in the conference. MMA had last weekend off while Endicott topped MIT 21-9. Endicott has used three quarterbacks and they have completed 87 of 169 passes for 869 yards. Conor Crotty and Zach DeNike have each caught 17 passes. MMA’s Cody Chapman and Endicott’s William Rivera are fifth and sixth in the conference in tackles with 40 and 35, respectively, and Chapman is second in tackles for a loss with nine.
Other Saturday games: Bowdoin (0-3) at Hamilton (0-3), noon; Wesleyan (2-1) at Bates (1-2), 1 p.m.; Colby (1-2) at Amherst (2-1), 1 p.m.