Bates to battle rival Bowdoin for 100th time

Maine’s small-college teams are the focus of today’s in-state football action as the University of Maine has an open date.

The Black Bears are back in action next week when they travel to Buffalo for a non-league game.

Fitchburg State (2-5) at Maine Maritime Academy (1-6), noon, Ritchie Field, Castine.

This matchup brings together the top two rushers in the New England Football Conference in MMA’s Steve Tardif and D’Andra Freeman of Fitchburg. Tardif has carried a league-high 219 times for 948 yards, while Freeman has netted a school-record 877 yards on 142 attempts.

Tardif continues to serve as MMA’s workhorse running back despite his relatively small build. The 5-foot-7, 185-pounder carried the ball 49 times for 163 yards last week as MMA ended a seven-game losing streak with a shutout win over UMass-Boston.

The Mariners, who hope to build some momentum against the Falcons, go up against a defense that has allowed more than 200 rushing yards and 31 points per game. Fitchburg has been among the toughest teams to throw against, with Pat Mullane and Peter Lombardo having made four interceptions each.

The Mariners have not thrown the ball consistently enough to complement its ground attack, and they have committed a league-high 23 turnovers.

Tufts (1-5) at Colby (0-6), 1 p.m., Seaverns Field, Waterville: The White Mules look to end their frustration against the Jumbos. Colby missed a short field goal on back-to-back plays in the closing seconds of last Saturday’s 22-21 loss to New England Small College Conference in-state rival Bates.

Colby has had trouble getting the ball in the end zone with a sluggish run game. However, the Mules’ passing attack has shown improvement with QB Nathan Bradley (65-for-145, 813 yards, 5 TDs) throwing to Brian DiBello and Miguel Gonzalez.

Tufts’ leaders include safety Mark McEwen of Bangor, tailback Tim Kaufman, and quarterback Dan Morse.

Bowdoin (2-4) at Bates (1-5), 12:30 p.m., Garcelon Field, Lewiston: While the CBB series is always intense, this clash is something special. The Polar Bears and the Bobcats meet for the 100th time since the rivalry began in 1889.

Two years ago, Bates beat Bowdoin at home to end its 37-game losing streak, the longest in New England Division III history. The Bobcats beat Colby to end a 14-game skid last weekend and could win the CBB crown outright for the first time since 1986.

Bowdoin leads the all-time series 58-34-7.