UM run defense key vs. Huskies Husson, MMA seeking sixth wins

The season comes to a close Saturday for Division III Husson College of Bangor and Maine Maritime Academy of Castine, while it intensifies for the University of Maine.

The Eagles look to close out their best season since reinstating the program, while the Mariners eye another strong New England Football Conference finish.

The Black Bears hope to keep their postseason and conference title hopes alive.

Northeastern (3-5) at Maine (5-3), noon, Alfond Stadium, Orono: With a difficult loss to Rhode Island now in their rearview mirror, coach Jack Cosgrove’s 22nd-ranked Bears (4-1 A-10) look to get back to the business of winning and chasing an NCAA playoff spot. UMaine encounters a resurgent Northeastern squad that opened the season with five straight road contest and is playing its seventh consecutive ranked opponent.

Once again, the Bears hope to set the tone with their suffocating defense, which ranks third in Division I-AA, allowing only 66 yards per game via the run. UMaine is sixth nationally in total defense (241.5 ypg), third in sacks (3.6) and third in tackles for a loss (8.5).

Led by linebacker Andrew Downey (team-leading 54 tackles), end Matt King (42, 12.5 TFL) and safety Jonathan Calderon (39), the Bears have allowed only 27 points in their last four games (6.8 ppg) and haven’t given up more than one touchdown in any of those contests.

Northeastern, which two weeks ago knocked off No. 1 New Hampshire, features a multifaceted offense that builds its success off the run game. Physical tailback Maurice Murray (83 ypg) teams up with speedy Alex Broomfield (44 ypg), also a receiving threat, to head up that effort.

“This is a team that will major in the run game. They won’t dabble in it,” Cosgrove said. “They will keep running the football until they get it working and it sets up a nice play-action pass.”

Quarterback John Sperrazza (46-for-88, 606 yds., 2 touchdowns, 6 interceptions) has started the last three games. The Huskies’ top receiver is senior tight end and co-captain Kendrick Ballantyne of Gorham (30 rec., 434 yds., 5 TDs). Ballantyne started his career at UMaine but transferred to NU in 2004 after encountering some difficulties off the field.

Northeastern has averaged a league-low 14.8 ppg.

Coming off a shutout, the UMaine offense hopes to get back on track with sure footing on Morse Field. The Bears want to run first, run often and throw to complement the ground game out of the spread.

Senior tailback Arel Gordon (94 ypg) is the No. 3 rusher in the A-10, while Whitcomb and Jhamal Fluellen also are threats. Whitcomb (85-for-152, 732 yds., 6 TDs, 6 INTs) has dependable targets in Gordon (31 rec., 198 yds.) and wideouts Manzi Pierre (16 rec., 183 yds., 2 TDs) and Landis Williams (10 rec., 87 yds., 3 TDs).

The Bears received some unfortunate news Thursday night when freshman wide receiver Ryan Callahan informed Cosgrove he would be leaving school for personal reasons, according to UMaine spokesman Doug DiBiase.

Callahan had returned home to Maryland last week to attend to a personal situation and missed the URI game. The speedster caught 13 passes for 164 yards and a TD and averaged 12.6 yards per carry on 13 rushing attempts with a score.

The Huskies have surrendered 359 ypg, including 161 ypg on the ground, and have allowed 25.6 points per outing. NU’s defensive playmakers include linebacker Joe Mele and free safety Lamar Gay, who have been in on 46 tackles each.

“They’re physical, hard-nosed and play tough on defense,” Cosgrove said. “That’s always been the nature of that team.”

In another Atlantic 10 game of interest today, North Division leader Massachusetts (7-1, 5-0 A-10) visits New Hampshire (5-3, 4-1 A-10).

Husson (5-4) at Becker (0-7), 1 p.m., Leicester, Mass.: Coach Gabby Price’s squad wants to finish on a winning note and cap off what has been a notable season as a Division III independent.

Husson looks the ride the momentum from last weekend’s 17-7 victory over Division I-AA La Salle in Philadelphia against a Becker team that has struggled. The Eagles beat the Hawks twice, in consecutive weeks, last fall.

It will be the final game for 10 Husson seniors. Included in that group are quarterback David Chase, tight end Tom Lasko of Lincoln and offensive linemen Mike Closson and A.J. Buzzell.

Chase, a Sabattus product, is the Eagles’ offensive leader.

Defensively, Husson bids farewell to mainstays such as tackles Tyler Libbey of Mattawamkeag and Mason Tripp, safety Bryan Biggers, linebackers Josh Lemieux and Justin Barnes, and end Mike Simpson.

Maine Maritime Academy (5-3) at Fitchburg State (4-4), noon, Fitchburg, Mass.: The Mariners go after their 13th win in the last 19 games against the Falcons in a Bogan Division matchup.

MMA, coming off 3-0 loss to Division winner Coast Guard would clinch third place in the Bogan with a victory.

Nine seniors will close out their careers for the Mariners, including defensive back-turned-quarterback Brandon Hamilton of Skowhegan, fullback Ken Rackliff and linemen Nate Dennen and Norman Searles on the offensive side of the ball.

Defensive back Wayne Withers, linebacker Brian Guillerault, lineman Dave Dutkiewicz and defensive back Anthony Gervasio headline the seniors on defense. That group also includes linebacker Ricky Schrempf.

Today’s other games (12:30 p.m.): Colby (2-4) at Tufts (3-3), Bates (0-6) at Bowdoin (0-6).