Injured Black Bears face off against Hofstra

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It’s getting to be the time of year when the rigors of football starting taking their toll on the players.

The University of Maine football team is dealing with a handful of injuries as it lands on Long Island in search of its first league win of the season.

Maine (2-3) at Hofstra (3-2), Hempstead, N.Y., 1:30 p.m.: The Black Bears will try to regroup after a tough loss at James Madison, but are trying to work through some injuries.

Three offensive starters, tailback Montell Owens, right tackle Chris Arnao and tight end Josh Radulski, have been nursing injuries this week. Left tackle Ryan Bird appears to have bounced back after tweaking his knee and ankle at JMU.

“I know we’ve got some guys that are physically still feeling the effects of James Madison,” UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove said Thursday. “We’ve tried to be smart with them this week in terms of practice time and number and reps and tried to get guys ready if they can’t go.”

UMaine (0-2 Atlantic 10) meets a Hofstra squad (1-1) that is coming off a big 10-6 road win at Delaware. The Pride like to line up and throw the football with quarterback Anton Clarkson (93-for-140, 1,215 yards, 9 touchdowns) finding the likes of wideouts Devale Ellis (37 receptions, 528 yds., 2 TDs) and Marques Colston (30 rec., 416 yds, 4 TDs).

“They are going to throw the football, there’s no question about that,” Cosgrove said.

[Clarkson is] more of a guy that’s going to throw the ball on time,” he added. “He’s a very tough kid, hard-nosed.”

UMaine ranks third in A-10 total defense (246 ypg), giving up only 150 ypg through the air. Nose tackle Mike DeVito (3 sacks), linebacker Jermaine Walker (44 tackles) and cornerback Daren Stone (5 interceptions) head up the unit.

The Pride continue to improve, ranking fourth in total defense (334 ypg), allowing only 167 ypg via the pass. Linebacker Coley Haley (52 tackles), strong safety David Darby (36) and end Dan Garay (34) are among the mainstays.

They’ll face a UMaine offense that continues to struggle to move the ball and score consistently. If Arnao can’t go, look for junior Justin Roberts to get the starting nod at right tackle.

Owens is averaging 72 ypg and is backed up by freshman Jerron Pearson (25 carries, 87 yds.). Quarterback Ron Whitcomb (81-140, 885 yds., 6 TDs, 5 interceptions) will also look to get the pass game clicking, throwing to wideouts Kevin McMahan (31 rec., 430 yds., 4 TDs) and Arel Gordon (20 rec., 165 yds., TD).

The Bears have made a change at place-kicker as freshman Matt Voliva will start in place of Westbrook’s Bobby Donnelly.

“We’re going to give Matt Voliva a shot this week,” Cosgrove said. “He’s really done a nice job the past couple weeks and he’s earned the right to kick for us.”

Donnelly has converted 12 of 12 PATs, but is only 1-for-4 on field goals.

“We just haven’t been doing a good job with field goals and the kickoffs haven’t been quite what we wanted,” Cosgrove said.

Maine Maritime (4-1) at Fitchburg State (4-1), Fitchburg, Mass., 1 p.m.: The Mariners can stay in the hunt for the New England Football Conference Bogan Division title with a win over the Falcons.

MMA is coming off a 33-24 loss at Bridgewater State, but is back on the road against a Fitchburg squad that also suffered its first loss of the season last Saturday at Endicott.

Fitchburg boasts the league’s stingiest defense, allowing 15.0 ppg. The Falcons rank third against the rush (113 ypg).

MMA fullback Don Thibodeau went over 100 yards again, improving his season total to 1,045 yards (209 ypg, 6.7 ypc).

FSC’s Brian Milleisen has netted 83.4 ypg rushing, while QB Corey Hetherman has thrown for 800 yards and eight TDs.

Amherst (2-1) at Colby (3-0), Seaverns Field, Waterville, 1 p.m.: The White Mules go after their fourth straight win with a home contest against the Lord Jeffs.

Colby continues to be solid on both sides of the ball and is a plus-11 in turnover margin. The Mules have allowed 228 ypg through the air, but only 84 ypg via the run behind the likes of linebackers Andrew Heaney (25 tackles) and Mike Bracco (23).

Amherst features the league’s leading rusher in Ngai Otieno (130 ypg). The Jeffs lead the NESCAC in total offense (438 ypg) and total defense, having surrendered only 141 yards per game while allowing just 6.3 points per contest.

Colby’s offense is paced by tailbacks Aaron Stepka (69 ypg) and Chris Bashaw (50 ypg).

SUNY Maritime College (1-1) at Husson (1-2), Winkin Complex, Bangor, 1 p.m.: After an open date and a cancellation, the Eagles are finally back on the field for an exhibition game against the Privateers of Throgs Neck, N.Y., who are fielding a team for the first time since 1988.

Maritime is operating as a “club” team this fall, but will play a varsity schedule in 2006, including a home game against Husson.

Today’s other games: Hamilton (1-2) at Bowdoin (3-0), Bates (0-3) at Wesleyan (0-3).