UMaine, Maine Maritime set for key conference matchups

The Maine college football season is only in its third week, but already key games have arrived on the schedules of the University of Maine and Maine Maritime Academy.

The Black Bears open their Atlantic 10 slate and the Mariners kick off their New England Football Conference schedule in Saturday home contests.

Richmond (0-2) at Maine (1-1), 6 p.m., Alfond Stadium, Orono: The Bears and Spiders hook up in a battle of two defense-minded squads that are looking to get their respective offenses in gear.

“This is what we talk about all the time is our Atlantic 10 opponents, our goal to win the Atlantic 10 championship on a yearly basis,” Cosgrove said, assessing the game’s importance.

UMaine hopes to generate some offensive momentum after a solid outing against William Penn. The Bears have yet to establish a consistent run game behind a reworked offensive line and senior tailback Montell Owens (43.5 yards per game).

The quarterback platoon generated some big plays last week. Ron Whitcomb (27-for-51, 326 yds., 3 TDs) and Chris Legree (4-9, 105 yds., 1 TD) will give the Spiders defense two QBs for which to prepare.

Meanwhile, the Bears’ top receivers are wide receiver Kevin McMahan (11 receptions, 180 yds., 2 TDs), tight end Josh Radulski (6 rec., 76 yds., 1 TD) and WR Ryan Waller (5 rec., 119 yds., 1 TD).

Richmond has played stingy defense, giving up only 26 points in two losses. Linebackers Lance Gray and Adam Goloboski each have registered 18 tackles for a unit that is allowing 302 yards per game, including 176.5 through the air.

The Bears’ defense is geared up for a Spider offense that has managed only six points overall and 281 net yards per outing. UMaine’s unit, anchored by nose tackle Mike DeVito, linebacker Jermaine Walker (10 tackles per game), and safety Jarrod Gomes (5 tpg), has given up 12.5 points and 239 yards per game thus far.

The Bears defense already has generated nine turnovers, including four interceptions by cornerback Daren Stone.

Richmond has struggled behind two inexperienced QBs in freshman Levi Brown and Will Healy, who are a combined 19-for-71 (.408) for 246 yards with five interceptions. Tailback David Freeman has netted 75 ypg and 4.8 yards per carry.

The top receiving threats are Matt Hale (10 rec., 113 yds.) and converted quarterback Stacy Tutt (6 rec., 41 yds.), who also returns kickoffs (15.5 ypr).

Neither team’s field-goal kicker has converted this season, combining to go 0-for-5.

The Bears have won the last four meetings between the two teams, including last year’s 29-25 win in Virginia.

Curry (1-1) at Maine Maritime Academy (1-0), 1 p.m., Ritchie Field, Castine: The Mariners return to the turf in the hope of building off last week’s 21-13 victory at Mount Ida. Senior fullback Don Thibodeau rambled for 275 yards on 39 carries and MMA forced six turnovers in the contest.

However, the Mariners take on a Curry squad that won the NEFC title last season. The Colonels dropped a 28-13 decision at Fitchburg State a week ago.

Curry features a balanced offense that has averaged 222 ypg passing this season behind QB Kevin Holleran. MMA counters with a defense led by Brandon Hamilton (interception), Nate Bolduc (INT) and Chris Clayton, each of whom had nine tackles in the opener.