Chris Ferguson said he hasn’t lost his confidence and is looking forward to Saturday’s homecoming game against the University of Rhode Island.
The University of Maine’s redshirt freshman quarterback has thrown six interceptions and hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in UMaine’s last two games, losses to No. 1 James Madison (28-10) and No. 14 Villanova (31-0). In his previous two starts, he tossed six touchdown passes and was intercepted twice.
“It has been a learning experience,” said Ferguson. “I’m a young guy and the (Colonial Athletic Association) is tough. I’ve got to slow things down and throw to the right place.”
He said facing two of the best defenses in the conference in JMU and Villanova was a contributing factor to his struggles.
“I have confidence in him because I’ve seen him (succeed),” said UMaine head coach Joe Harasymiak. “He’s just had a couple of bad outings. We’ve changed things up in practice (to help him prepare).”
On the year, Ferguson has completed only 52.4 percent of its passes (66-for-126) for 689 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions.
UMaine also is looking for a rejuvenated running game after Villanova’s top-ranked CAA rushing defense limited the Black Bears to 16 yards on 29 carries.
“A lot of that has to do with (Ferguson) as well,” said Harasymiak. “He needs to help us out in the passing game. If I was Rhode Island, I’d load up the box and make us throw. We’re going to see that from a lot of teams now.”
He noted that if Ferguson can get the passing game going, URI won’t be able to crowd the line of scrimmage and that will open up the running game.
Rhode Island Rams (1-4 overall, 0-2 CAA) at UMaine Black Bears (1-3, 0-3), 3:30 p.m., Morse Field at Alfond Stadium, Orono: The Black Bears seek their 11th straight victory over the Rams and 16th in their last 17 meetings. The last three games have been decided by 10 points or less including a 28-21 victory a year ago.
“It’s going to be a bloodbath,” said fourth-year head coach Jim Fleming. “It will probably be a typical Maine-Rhode Island game that will come down to the last possession.”
The Rams have big-play capabilities with the CAA’s third-ranked passing attack featuring quarterback Tyler Harris (8 TDs, 251.8 yards per game, 11 interceptions) and wide receivers Aaron Parker (29 catches, 515 yds.) and Marven Beauvais (23-333). Harold Cooper (70.2 ypg) is a quality running back.
UMaine’s Josh Mack leads the CAA with 131 rushing yards per game and the Black Bears hope to exploit a defense that is 11th in the 12-team league in points allowed per game (25.4) and yards per game allowed (415.2).
UMaine’s defense is led by linebackers Jaron Grayer (36 tackles), Sterling Sheffield (3 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and Taji Lowe (30) while URI features safety D.J. Stewart (43), linebacker Justin Hogan (43) and defensive end Jose Duncan (27, 4 sacks).
Castleton Spartans (3-2, 2-0 ECFC) vs. Husson Eagles (4-1, 2-0), 1 p.m. Saturday at Bangor: It’s homecoming weekend at Husson, which is in search of its 12th consecutive victory at the Winkin Complex and 10th win in a row against Eastern Collegiate Football Conference foes.
Coach Gabby Price’s defending ECFC champions and rival Castleton (Vermont) University are the lone remaining unbeatens in conference play this season, with Husson coming off a 35-17 win against SUNY Maritime last Saturday while Castleton edged Mount Ida 35-31.
Husson displayed offensive balance in its most recent win, rushing for 247 yards and passing for 234. Senior halfback John Smith rushed for 217 yards on 30 carries against SUNY Maritime, and now needs only 51 yards to reach 1,000 yards for the fourth straight season.
The Fayetteville, Georgia, product ranks fourth in NCAA Division III with 949 rushing yards and is third at 189.8 yards per game.
Junior quarterback Cory Brandon tossed three touchdown passes a week ago and now is the Eagles’ career leader with 39.
Castleton, which has won three straight after season-opening losses to Fitchburg State and Plymouth State, features reigning ECFC offensive player of the week Mitchell Caron, a junior quarterback from Augusta.
The Cony High School graduate completed 12 of 16 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a score in the win over Mount Ida.
Castleton also boasts Mike Morgan, a freshman kicker-punter who averaged 40.3 yards per punt last week.
Coast Guard Bears (3-3, 1-2 NEWMAC) at Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (0-5, 0-3), noon Saturday at Castine: MMA continues its quest for a first-ever victory in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference. Coast Guard holds a 9-5 all-time record against the Mariners, including a 36-30 victory last year and a 4-2 record in games played at Ritchie Field on the MMA campus.
MMA is coming off a 51-6 loss against Massachusetts Institute of Technology last weekend. James Ferrar led the Mariners’ offense with 87 rushing yards on 17 attempts, while John Bennett and Trenton Bouchard paced the defense with 10 tackles each.
Coast Guard is coming off a 38-7 loss to Springfield College, the top-ranked team in New England Division III. Quarterback Ryan Jones, making his second career start, was 16 of 35 passing for 146 yards with one TD and an interception.
Other Maine college games: Amherst (3-1) at Colby (0-4), 1 p.m.; Hamilton (0-4) at Bowdoin (0-4), noon; Bates (0-4) at Wesleyan (3-1), 1 p.m.