15th-ranked Bears facing tough task UMaine to battle SEC’s Mississippi State

In football, teams sometimes take on opponents that are clearly bigger, stronger and faster.

The University of Maine expects to face that disadvantage today when it takes on Division I-A Mississippi State, but the Black Bears aren’t conceding anything.

Maine (1-1) at Mississippi State (1-1), 7 p.m., Wade Stadium, Starkville, Miss.

Size and speed. Those are the factors the Bears must contend with against the Bulldogs of the powerful Southeastern Conference.

“They’re going to be bigger than we are and faster than we are. That’s why they’re I-A and we’re I-AA,” Cosgrove said.

Even so, UMaine players are convinced the game is played on the field, not on paper or on statistical sheets.

UMaine need look no further than last week’s New Hampshire win over Rutgers as an example of what can happen on a given day.

“Basically they play football just like us,” said senior wide receiver Christian Pereira. “They put their shoes on, they put their helmets on, but you still have to play the game.”

UMaine’s defense must deal with a sizeable Mississippi State offensive line that averages 6-foot-4 and 319 pounds. The ‘Dogs feature good balance behind halfback Jerious Norwood (76.5 yards per game) and a pass game sparked by quarterback Omarr Conner (25-for-43, 215 yds., 1 TD), tight end Eric Butler (5 receptions, 61 yds.) and flanker Will Prosser (5 rec., 51 yds.).

The Bears are led by linebacker Jermaine Walker (13 tackles), cornerback Devon Goree (12), tackle Pat Pa’u (11) and strong safety Brandon McGowan (11).

UMaine’s offense, which has averaged 29 points and 342 yards per contest, will have to be at its sharpest. The Bears look to establish the run game behind Marcus Williams (95 ypg), of whom MSU coach Sylvester Croom said, “[He] can play in this conference.”

UMaine also must be able to protect QB Ron Whitcomb (38-54, 346 yds, 4 TDs) and receivers Pereira (12 rec. 149 yds., 2 TDs), Kevin McMahan (6 rec., 53 yds., 1 TD) and Ryan Waller (5 rec., 65 yds.) will have to negotiate a speedy Bulldog secondary.

The teams’ philosophies are quite similar.

“[Croom] wants to run the football and he wants to stop the run and make teams throw,” Cosgrove said.

MSU’s defensive stalwarts include linebackers Rico Bennett (16 tackles) and Willie Evans (13) and tackle Corey Clark (13).

Husson (0-2) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2-0), 1 p.m., Alumni Field, Worcester, Mass.

The Eagles head back on the road still in search of the program’s first victory.

Husson continues to work on shoring up its defense, which needs to tackle better after surrendering 40.5 points and 525 yards per game.

The Eagles have been paced offensively by quarterback Davis Chase (19-for-38, 382 yds., 2 TDs) and backs Mike Prentiss (72 ypg) and Adam Scott (57 ypg).

WPI of the recently renamed Liberty League has rolled to wins over Endicott and Worcester State.

Maine Maritime Academy (0-1) at Curry (1-0), noon, Milton, Mass.

The Mariners take to the road for a meeting with the always-tough Colonels.

MMA lost a tough opener, giving up 19 second-half points in a two-point loss to Mount Ida. The Mariners put up some good offensive numbers behind QB Pat Bard (111 rushing yds., 99 passing, 2 TDs).

MMA looks to shore up its run defense against Curry behind Nate Bolduc and Dan Rosen.