Fall has officially arrived and with the cooler temperatures and bright skies comes an increased enthusiasm on the football field.

With the University of Maine enjoying an open date, the state’s small-college programs will provide plenty of excitement for Maine football fans.

Husson College of Bangor and Maine Maritime Academy are both looking to get into the win column, while Colby College of Waterville, Bates College of Lewiston and Bowdoin College of Brunswick kick off their New England Small College Athletic Conference seasons.

Hartwick (0-2) at Husson (0-3), noon, Winkin Complex, Bangor: The Eagles return home where they hope a partisan crowd and all the benefits of playing on their own campus might help them earn the program’s first victory.

Husson continues to strive to tighten up its defense and get more points on the scoreboard. The Eagles were shut out by a tough Worcester Polytech squad last week.

Husson features numerous former Maine high school standouts such as tailbacks Mike Prentiss out of Bangor High and Waterville’s Matt Hilton. And there are some rookies as well.

Matt Mulligan of Howland is playing his first season of organized football. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end attended Penobscot Valley High School, which does not sponsor football.

Mulligan leads Husson with five receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Linebacker Ross Salovitch racked up 13 tackles and had an interception last weekend.

Hartwick, out of the Eastern 8 Conference, has been outscored 66-17 this season and has dropped seven of its last eight dating back to last year. The Hawks like to throw and likely will test Husson’s secondary.

Massachusetts Maritime (0-2) at Maine Maritime (0-2), 1 p.m., Ritchie Field, Castine: The Mariners are hoping the intensity and motivation of playing their archrivals will help them get a victory.

Maine Maritime is coming off a shutout loss at New England Football Conference power Curry. The Mariners committed seven turnovers, including five fumbles, while playing in a torrential downpour caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan.

Senior quarterback Patrick Bard of Winslow is the point man in Maine Maritime’s option offense and is a threat to run or pass. Defensively, tackle Dan Rosen boasts seven solo tackles per game.

Mass. Maritime has struggled offensively thus far, managing only 13 points while surrendering 35.5 per contest.

Colby (0-0) at Williams (0-0), 1 p.m., Williamstown, Mass.: The White Mules play their first game under first-year head coach Ed Mestieri against the always-tough Ephmen.

Colby returns 15 starters off a squad that went 5-3 last fall on its way to the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin series championship.

The Mules look to replace record-setting tailback Aaron Stepka with the likes of Thomas Wilson and Nial DeMena, while Justin Smith returns at quarterback. The defense is headed up by linebacker Steve Kasperski and defensive back Mike Civitello.

Williams leads the all-time series 12-2.

Today’s other games: 0-0 Bowdoin at 0-0 Middlebury, 0-0 Bates at 0-0 Trinity.