UConn up next for hot Bears Maine seeking third straight win

The University of Maine football team has won back-to-back games for the first time since 1992.

The logical next step for Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears is to make it three in a row Saturday against Connecticut. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Storrs, Conn., is set for 1:30 p.m.

Maine’s game plan should come as no surprise, since the Bears have bulled their way past Delaware and Richmond with what amounts to a two-fullback attack. Converted senior tailback Steve Knight and junior fullback Ray Baur have been blessed with strong blocking by a blossoming offensive line.

Knight and Baur combined for 194 yards on 33 carries last week, enabling the Bears to control the ball and the clock. Maine, 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the Yankee Conference, hopes to take advantage of a UConn defense that ranks 10th in the league against the run, giving up 178.5 yards per game.

Senior Emilio Colon has taken most of the snaps at quarterback for Maine, with senior Joe Marsilio spelling him occasionally. This week, it is the Huskies who are juggling quarterbacks.

Junior Zeke Rodgers is expected to take over for Brandon Bailey, who had ousted Rodgers during UConn’s second game of the season. The pair has been intercepted a total of 11 times.

The Huskies’ offensive punch will be hampered by injuries to senior tailback Ed Long and junior fullback Wilbur Gilliard, who rank as UConn’s Nos. 1 and 5 all-time rushers, respectively.

Maine’s offense has been complemented by a defense that has allowed only 23 points in its last two games. The Bears have been forcing opponents to throw and have gotten more pressure on their quarterbacks of late.

Senior linebacker Ako Stafford and junior LB Ross Fichthorn continue to lead the way. Each has 45 tackles. In the secondary, Derek Carter and Greg Mikell have been outstanding.

UConn leads the all-time series 35-28-3, including four straight wins in Storrs. Maine has not won three in a row since 1989.

Maine Maritime Academy (3-1) vs. Plymouth State (4-0), 1 p.m., Currier Field, Plymouth, N.H.

The Mariners have been the most highly touted ECAC Division III team in New England during the past year, but the Panthers may be moving to the forefront.

Coach Mike Hodgson’s MMA team is ranked No. 5 in ECAC New England behind the determined running of junior tailback Rob Marchitello, who has netted 713 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.

However, Coach Don Brown’s Plymouth State contingent is ranked No. 1 in the ECAC poll and is the No. 3 team in the NCAA’s Division III East rankings.

The Panthers have shown good offensive balance. Backs Shawn Redburn and David Bowman are averaging 5.9 and 5.5 yards per carry, respectively.

Quarterback Joel Perry has hit on 38 of 71 throws for 614 yards and eight TDs. His favorite receiver is R.J. Letendre of North Berwick, who has 16 catches for 332 yards.

PSC could pose some problems for a MMA defense that has limited opponents to 230 yards and 13 points per outing. Jeff Houghton and Dick LeTourneau are among the Mariners’ leaders.

Colby (2-1) vs. Amherst (3-0), 1:30 p.m., at Pratt Field, Amherst, Mass.

The White Mules run up against the Lord Jeffs, who boast the stingiest defense in the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

Amherst has given up just two touchdowns and has limited opponents to 558 total yards in three games. Colby has been in three close contests, and has put up decent numbers.

The Mules have netted 1,206 yards behind the running of Lawaun Curry and Brad Smith and Matt Mannering’s passing. Only Williams has put up more yardage.

Saturday’s other games: 1-2 Bowdoin at 2-1 Hamilton, 1:30 p.m.; 0-3 Wesleyan at 0-3 Bates, 1:30 p.m.