MAINE vs. ALBANY
Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m., Morse Field, Alfond Stadium, Orono, Maine
Records: UMaine 4-3 (3-1 Colonial Athletic Association), Albany 2-5 (0-4 CAA)
Series, last meeting: UMaine leads 6-5, UMaine 12-10 on 10/21/17
Quarterbacks, UMaine: Chris Ferguson (91-of-157, 961 yards, 7 touchdowns, 5 interceptions); Albany: Vincent Testaverde (114-for-212, 1,702 yards, 11 TDs, 11 INTs)
Top rushers, UMaine: Joe Fitzpatrick (89 carries-338 yards, 3 TDs), Ramon Jefferson (54-301, 1 TD); Albany: Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks (111-603, 3 TDs), Karl Mofor (53-322, 3 TDs)
Top receivers, UMaine: Micah Wright (30 catches-345 yards, 4 TDs), Earnest Edwards (26-380, 2 TDs), Drew Belcher (25-158), Jaquan Blair (21-347, 2 TDs), Devin Young (20-137, 1 TD); Albany: Dev Holmes (37-671, 5 TDs), Jerah Reeves (29-462, 2 TDs), Donovan McDonald (19-221), Karl Mofor (15-119, 1 TD), Juwan Green (14-301, 3 TDs)
Defensive leaders, UMaine: Deshawn Stevens (62 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, 6 sacks), Sterling Sheffield (47 tackles, 10 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles), Taji Lowe (42 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FR, 1 FF), Darrius Hart (35 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT); Albany: Levi Metheny (64 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 INT), Danny Damico (54 tackles, 3 TFL), Eli Mencer (36 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble), Kareem Brown (34 tackles, 5 pass breakups)
Game notes: After last week’s upset loss at William and Mary, UMaine finds itself in a must-win situation against the Great Danes. A loss would significantly damage UMaine’s Football Championship Subdivision playoff hopes. The Black Bear offense sputtered last weekend, scoring just three second-half points. Ferguson was picked off three times and one was returned for a touchdown. Maine won the past three meetings with Albany, but the Great Danes are 4-1 all-time in their trips to Orono. Testavarde, son of the former NFL quarterback of the same name, is averaging 243.1 passing yards per game which is second-best in the conference. UMaine’s defense leads the CAA in sacks and will have to pressure Testaverde and force him to hurry his throws. The Great Danes have allowed 21 sacks which is third-worst in the conference. Albany’s secondary has been decimated by injuries so the Black Bears will need to take advantage. Albany has the league’s worst pass defense, allowing 256.3 yards per game.
HUSSON vs. CASTLETON
Time, site: Saturday, noon, Dave Wolk Field, Castleton, Vermont
Records: Husson 5-2 (4-0 Eastern Collegiate Football Conference); Castleton 1-6 (0-3 ECFC)
Series, last meeting: Husson leads 6-3, Husson 49-0 on 10/14/17
Quarterbacks, Husson: Cory Brandon (124 of 187 passing, 1,675 yards, 20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions); Castleton: Jacob McCarthy (56-124, 803 yds., 3 TD, 6 INT), Mitchell Caron (47-89, 661 yds., 6 TD, 5 INT)
Top rushers, Husson: Miece Loureiro (107 carries, 577 yards, 6 TD), Solomon Hassen (91-543, 5 TD); Castleton: Moe Harris (149-703, 2 TD)
Top receivers, Husson: Kyle Gaudet (42 receptions, 599 yds., 7 TD), Keyshaun Robinson (22-361-7), Ty Bassett (21-247-2), Tyler Halls (18-204-3); Castleton: Ryan Barry (26-261-1), Anthony Martinez (19-271-1), Adnane Adossama (18-269)
Defensive leaders, Husson: Elvin Suazo (48 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery), Jake Dobos (32 tackles, 1 INT), Frank Curran (31 tackles, 5 sacks), Tarik Smith (28 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles), Quan Soyini (3 INT); Castleton: Chris Rice (58 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 INT), Grant Cummings (56 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FR)
Game notes: Husson plays its final ECFC road game before moving to the Commonwealth Coast Football ranks in 2019. The Eagles have dominated conference play to date in 2018, outscoring its first four league foes by a combined 193-65. The Eagles, ranked 10th in the most recent Grinold Chapter New England Division III football weekly rankings, also have 18 quarterback sacks and 16 forced turnovers — eight interceptions and eight fumble recoveries — in those four victories. Husson ranks fifth in NCAA Division III in rushing defense, allowing just 45.4 yards on the ground per game. A win against Castleton followed by a victory at home next week against Gallaudet would send coach Gabby Price’s club back to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season and fourth time in the past five years. Castleton lost its past five games and struggled defensively throughout the season, allowing 39.6 points and 486.6 yards per contest.
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