UMaine battling URI today Bears without top receivers vs. Rams

Seldom does a week pass during the college football season in which teams don’t have to deal with setbacks.

Usually, it’s injuries. But today, the University of Maine football team looks to conduct business as usual, to the extent possible, after the suspension of starting wide receivers Stefan Gomes and Paris Minor, when it entertains Rhode Island in an Atlantic 10 game in Orono.

Rhode Island (1-2, 0-1 A-10) at Maine (4-0, 2-0), 1 p.m., Alfond Stadium, Orono. The third-ranked Black Bears go after their 10th consecutive home victory, the longest streak since 1950-52. UMaine has won seven straight regular-season games.

Today’s challenge is to remain focused after starting wideouts Stefan Gomes and Paris Minor were suspended this week for violating the school’s conduct code.

“This is one of those things that’s come our way that we have to be ready for and the challenge for us is to respond,” said coach Jack Cosgrove.

Sophomores Christian Pereira and Ivi Nwosu step into starting roles, backed up by Ryan Waller and Kevin McMahan.

“We know how to play the game and we’ve been playing well,” Cosgrove said. “We have a couple parts missing, but other parts can come together and hopefully make us perform at as good a level.”

UMaine’s defense has been stellar. The Bears rank second in the A-10 while allowing 227 yards and 10.8 points per game. Senior linebackers Stephen Cooper and Rob Kierstead, along with safety Dave Cusano, lead the team against Rhode Island’s option-based attack.

“We’ve got to play great team defense,” Cosgrove said. “They really force us to defend the field both horizontally and vertically.”

The Rams had last week off after losing 63-17 at Syracuse. URI is led by freshman QB Jayson Davis, who can run and throw, along with WR Curtis Horne and RB Jason Ham. The Rams are averaging 287 yards per game on the ground.

UMaine will try to keep the Rams guessing with a balanced offensive game plan. Tailbacks Marcus Williams and Jim Henry have been productive, while QB Jake Eaton has competed 59 percent of his passes for 687 yards and seven touchdowns.

Rhody, which has surrendered 442 yards and 33.3 ppg, will look to Jamar Barnes and Andrew Elsing to help keep the Bears’ potent squad in check.

Massachusetts Maritime (0-2) at Maine Maritime (0-2), 1 p.m., Ritchie Field, Castine. The Mariners look to regain the Admiral’s Cup in the renewal of this heated rivalry. Behind Don Thibodeau’s 80 yards per game, Maine Maritime ranks first in the New England Football Conference in rushing with 322 ypg.

The Mariners have yet to establish much of a passing attack, but meet a Mass. Maritime squad that has allowed 251 ypg on the ground

Alger Yanush heads the Maine Maritime defense.

Middlebury at Colby (0-1), 1 p.m., Seaverns Field, Waterville. The White Mules eye their first win against the usually testy Panthers, who also lost a close game in their opener.

Both teams love to put the ball in the air, with Colby relying on junior QB B.L. Lippert and Middlebury counting on Mike Keenan. Each passed for more than 200 yards last week.

Other games: Bates (0-1) at Tufts (1-0), Amherst (1-0) at Bowdoin (0-1)