Bears hope for strong effort in Portland

Mike Thomas remembers the last game the University of Maine’s football team played at Portland’s Fitzpatrick Stadium. He was in street clothes in the stands for the opening kickoff against Richmond last October. For the second half, he was in a Black Bear uniform and played on an injury-depleted offensive line. Maine lost 17-14.

The junior guard from Durham and Brunswick High School will be uniform for the whole game on Saturday night as the Bears play the University of Buffalo at 7 o’clock.

Maine brings a 3-5 record into the non-conference game while the Bulls are 2-5. The Bears rallied for a 30-27 victory in Buffalo last year.

Thomas will be the starting right guard on the Bears’ resurgent offensive line. The line has helped Maine average 222 rushing yards over the last four weeks although New Hampshire held the Bears to 102 yards last week in snapping Maine’s three-game winning streak 24-7.

“It was kind of crazy last year,” said Thomas, who was summoned from the stands at halftime. “I had partied until 2:30 the night before. Then they threw me into the game.”

“That was a unique thing,” said Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove. “A whole bunch of guys went down (with injuries). I hope we don’t get into that situation again.”

Thomas said about 35 of his friends and family members will be at the game.

“I think we can dominate them up front and be successful running the ball,” said Thomas. “The offensive line is all on the same page right now.”

That’s not to say the Bears are taking the Bulls lightly.

“They are to be respected,” said Thomas. “If we don’t play well, we’ll be in a dogfight.”

Maine (3-5) vs. Buffalo (2-5) at Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland, 7 p.m.

This is believed to be Maine’s first ever “home” night game … Senior quarterback Cliff Scott will be the Bear defense’s biggest headache as he has completed 50.8 percent of his passes for 1,203 yards and 7 TDs. Freshman Anthony Swan leads the team in rushing with 333 yards on 93 carries … Fullback Steve Knight continues to lead the Bear ground game with 668 yards on 135 carries. Knight and fellow bruising fullback Ray Baur have bulled to 679 yards the last four weeks … This is Buffalo’s second season as a I-AA independent.

Maine Maritime (4-2, 4-1 in NEFC) at Fitchburg State (2-5, 1-5), Robert Elliot Field, Fitchburg, Mass., 1 p.m.

MMA has the second best rushing offense in the conference, averaging 221.8 yards per game, while Fitchburg State is seventh in the nine-team conference in rushing defense, allowing 186.9 yards per game. That bodes well for MMA. MMA running back Rob Marchitello leads the conference in rushing (160.8 per game) and scoring (16.7 points per game). Fitchburg quarterback Jason Dyer leads the conference in passing yards with 1,060.

Colby (4-1) at Bates (0-5), Garcelon Field, Lewiston, 1 p.m.

The first game in the CBB series sees the Bobcats trying to end their 28-game losing streak. The youthful Bobcats have scored 48 of their 55 points in their last two games, but they’ve allowed 93 points in those two games. Colby’s Brad Smith (110.3) and Lawaun Curry (78.5) are third and fifth in the conference in rushing yards per game. Colby safety Tom Beedy was named the NESCAC’s Defensive Player of the Week for his three interceptions against Hamilton last week.

Bowdoin (1-4) at Wesleyan (1-4), Andrus Field, Middletown, Conn., 1:30

Bowdoin is last in NESCAC in points scored (48) and total yards (1044) but Wesleyan will probably be without three defensive starters due to injury.