The University of Maine and Husson University will continue their playoff pushes on Saturday as the college football season winds down.
The eastern Maine neighbors find themselves in different situations.
Coach Gabby Price’s Eagles have already won the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference title and will play in the NCAA Division III tournament for the second time in three seasons.
But the Eagles would love the opportunity to host, as they did two years ago, and a win over Mount Ida would help their chances.
For coach Joe Harasymiak’s Black Bears, last Saturday’s turnover-riddled, 26-7 Colonial Athletic Association loss to Villanova has left them needing to win at Stony Brook — and in the regular-season finale at home against archrival New Hampshire, to stay in the hunt for a Football Championship Subdivision playoff spot.
Maine Black Bears (5-4, 4-2 Colonial Athletic Association) at Stony Brook (5-4, 4-2), 2 p.m., LaValle Stadium, Stony Brook, New York: Harasymiak and Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore both feel the team that makes the fewest mistakes will emerge triumphant. For the second straight week, the Black Bears face one of the league’s best defenses and his team hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown in six quarters.
Stony Brook finds itself in a similar predicament so Saturday’s winner keeps its playoff hopes alive and the loser is out.
“We have to make sure we take care of the ball and create turnovers. And we have to capitalize on their mistakes,” Harasymiak said.
Neither coach is thinking about the playoffs right now.
“We’ve got to get our ship right,” said Priore. “We’ve lost two in a row.”
The Seawolves have been turnover-prone in their two losses as quarterback Joe Carbone has thrown six interceptions. He was picked off four times in the 43-14 loss to New Hampshire and the Seawolves also lost a fumble. Stony Brook’s defense allowed just 219 total yards.
In last week’s 14-9 loss to William & Mary, the Seawolves only touchdown came on a blocked punt. Carbone was picked off twice and he and backup quarterback Pat Irwin combined to complete just four of 19 passes.
UMaine senior quarterback Dan Collins threw four interceptions against Villanova and UMaine went 0-for-5 in the red zone.
Stony Brook is second in the CAA in yards allowed (277.8 ypg) and third in scoring defense (20.2 ppg).
“Their defense is extremely physical. They have a good defensive line. They’re extremely talented up front and their secondary flies around and makes plays all over the field,” said Harasymiak.
Collins has completed 139 of 266 passes for 2,017 yards. He has thrown 14 TD passes but been intercepted 13 times. Micah Wright has been his top receiver (35 catches, 520 yards, 5 TDs). Freshman Josh Mack is ninth in the conference in rushing yards (488 on 80 carries).
The Seawolves have the CAA’s No. 6 rusher in junior Stacey Bedell (144-678) and Carbone has thrown for 1,017 yards (93-for-179 attempts.
UMaine’s defense is 11th among 12 teams with 412 yards allowed per game and it is also 11th in pass defense (240.6 yards allowed) and sacks (13). Linebacker Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga is second in CAA tackling with 80 and Stony Brook’s Tyrice Beverette is seventh (72).
UMaine has the conference’s top kickoff returner in Earnest Edwards (29.8 yards per return) and Stony Brook’s Sherman Alston Jr. is third (24.7).
Husson Eagles (8-1, 6-0 ECFC) at Mount Ida Mustangs (4-5, 4-2 ECFC), noon, Newton, Massachusetts: Husson has won the last two meetings and is anxious to extend its winning streak to nine games. Husson boasts the nation’s top defense in Division III (160.3 ypg) and the best run defense (36.3 ypg). Tailback John Smith is second in the country with 168.1 ypg and sixth in rushing yards (1,345).
Husson’s defense continues to be led by LB Ellis Throckmorton (61 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks) and Luke Washburn (47, 14.5 for loss, 10 sacks). Cory Brandon (123-for-209, 1,815 yds.) and wideouts Deon Wiggins (22-328) and Kadeem Edge (20-517) head the passing attack.
Mount Ida’s Jack Sheehan has completed 112 of 231 passes for 1,226 yards and Matt Greenman has caught 38 balls for 496 yards. Travis O’Brien (220-813) is their top rusher and the defense has been sparked by Sean Chinova and Josh David with 83 and 82 tackles, respectively.
Salve Regina Seahawks (7-1, 5-1 NEFC) at Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (1-7, 0-6 ECFC), Ritchie Field, Castine, noon: Salve Regina has won all nine meetings and will be smarting after a 41-22 loss to Western New England which gave WNEC the league title. Salve Regina has averaged 41.6 points per game while MMA is surrendering 39.4 ppg. MMA has lost six straight.
Sam Pascale has carried the ball 162 times for 1,197 yards and 14 TDs for the Seahawks while Brandan Basil has thrown for 1,663 yards and 16 TDs. MMA quarterback Corey Creeger leads the NEFC in scoring (90 points) and rushing TDs (15) and Jacob Doolan is tops in yards per carry (8.8). James Ferrar is the leading rusher (141-695). Cody Chapman has 66 tackles including 13 for loss for MMA.
Other games involving Maine colleges: Bowdoin (0-7) at Colby (2-5), 12:30 p.m.; Hamilton (2-5) at Bates (3-4), noon