Bears out to stop losing streak on homecoming

Today marks the midway point of the 2007 football season for the University of Maine, which has been forced to re-evaluate itself after a disappointing start.

Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears desperately want to turn things around, starting with today’s homecoming contest.

William & Mary (3-3) at Maine (1-4), 3 p.m., Alfond Stadium, Orono: The banged-up Bears hope the emotion and excitement of homecoming can help them end a four-game losing streak. UMaine (0-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association) has tried to refocus after the tough recent stretch.

“We’ve addressed our state of the union. We’re not achieving at the level we want to,” Cosgrove said. “We’re a 1-4 football team. We need to take steps to improve. We need to practice harder, better, more efficiently.”

The Bears will be challenged by a Tribe offense that has scored 32.7 points and averaged 433 yards per game. William & Mary (1-2 CAA) has been proficient throwing the ball.

Jake Phillips has passed for 1,723 yards and 12 touchdowns en route to a CAA-best 315 passing yards per game. Elliott Mack (19 receptions, 393 yards, 4 TDs) is the top receiver.

UMaine contends with that with a defense beset by injuries. Cornerback Lionel Nixon Jr. is out with a knee injury, while linebacker Andrew Downey, cornerbacks Lamir Whetstone and Steven Barker, and safety Brandon McLaughlin are all questionable with assorted health issues.

“That’s the way it is in football,” Cosgrove said. “Everybody gets them [injuries] and you just have a plan and be able to respond with that plan.”

The Bears need to get more pressure on the quarterback in an effort to disrupt Phillips’ comfort level and ease the burden on the secondary.

Linebackers Downey (41 tackles) and John Wormuth (46) and end Jovan Belcher (31) pace the Bears’ defense.

UMaine continues to seek offensive balance and production. Quarterback Adam Farkes and the receivers appeared to start clicking at Hofstra, but need to do more this week.

The Bears want to get back to a more potent run game as well behind tailback Jhamal Fluellen (84 ypg). The return of H-back Anthony Cotrone from a one-game suspension (for an alleged assault Sept. 28) also should beef up the attack.

William & Mary has been forgiving against the run, surrendering 215 ypg. The Tribe also has allowed a league-high 39 ppg.

SUNY Maritime College (2-4) at Husson (4-2), 1 p.m., Winkin Complex, Bangor: The Eagles look to bounce back from a tough loss at Springfield against the Privateers. Husson and SUNY Maritime will both be North Atlantic Conference football members in 2008.

Husson, which has won five of its last seven home games, will be fired up against the Privateers. The Eagles boast one of the best 1-2 tailback tandems around with Bryan Ferguson (89 ypg) and Julius Williams (86.5 ypg).

Jonah Chappell has passed for 984 yards and five TDs, but has thrown nine interceptions. Victor McKenzie (19 rec., 319 yds.) and Andre Wildman (18 rec., 288 yds.) head a good receiver corps.

SUNY Maritime has lost four straight, allowing 46.2 ppg in that span. Teams are averaging more than 200 rushing yards per gam against the Privateers.

The Eagles still rank eighth nationally in total defense (222 ypg). Linebackers Ross Salovitch (8.7 tackles per game) and Bobby Gilbert (6.3 tpg) lead Husson against a Privateer offense that has churned out 274 rushing yards per contest behind Ben Swedish (104 ypg) and Michael Smooke (67 ypg).

Maine Maritime (3-2) at Massachusetts Maritime (2-4), 1 p.m., Buzzards Bay, Mass.: Throw out the records and enjoy the rivalry in this clash between the Mariners of Castine and the Buccaneers. MMA goes into the game 2-1 in Bogan Division play, while Mass. Maritime is 0-3.

MMA continues to succeed by wearing down opponents with its option offense and stopping the run effectively. The Mariners are coming off back-to-back home victories decided by a touchdown.

MMA ranks fourth in New England Football Conference rushing (234 ypg) behind halfback Brandon Goodrich (97 ypg), fullback Jim Bower and QB Tyler Angell.

The Bucs come in as the stingiest defensive team in the league, giving up only 11.8 points and 289 yards, including 128 via the run, per outing.

MMA encounters an offense that ranks last in the NEFC in scoring (12.5 ppg) and is 15th in total offense (251 ypg). The Mariners’ defense is spearheaded by linebackers Travis Fergola and Wade Mondoux, who average nine tackles per game, along with safety Nate Bolduc (8.2 tpg).

Mass. Maritime is led by RB Kevin Berthiaume (74 ypg).

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