The University of Maine football team continues to make progress as it moves into the second half of the season.

Even so, the Black Bears know they have to make their move now if they want to salvage a respectable season and finish around the .500 mark.

Maine (1-5) at Stony Brook (3-4), 3 p.m., LaValle Stadium, Stony Brook, N.Y.: The Bears expect a tough game from a Seawolves squad that only lost by five points (33-28) to Colonial Athletic Association member Hofstra, which handled UMaine 38-13 a week later.

“We’re going to have to play an outstanding football game to win the game,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “We have a tremendous amount of respect for them.”

The main concern for the Bears is the health of their injury-depleted defense, which has given up 29 points and 362 total yards per game. Linebacker Andrew Downey and cornerback Lamir Whetstone should be back in the lineup, at least in backup roles.

Cornerbacks Lionel Nixon Jr. and Steven Barker also have been sidelined, forcing redshirt freshmen Dominic Cusano and Derrick Harris into action. Both were solid in last week’s 21-20 loss to William & Mary.

Stony Brook, a Football Championship Subdivision independent, has lost three straight. The Seawolves have a good run-pass blend, with Josh Dudash (1,483 yards, 12 touchdowns, 7 interceptions) throwing to productive receivers Lynell Suggs (51 receptions, 689 yds., 3 TDs) and Dwayne Eley (42, 437, 4).

Tailback Conte Cuttino averages a healthy 91 rushing yards per contest.

Offensively, UMaine continues to show promise. Tailback Jhamal Fluellen ran for 197 yards in his best effort as a Bear, while QB Adam Farkes connected with wideout Landis Williams on two scoring tosses.

The Bears are stressing attention to detail after poor performance on third and fourth down last week.

Place-kicker Bobby Donnelly also has converted four consecutive field goals, two each in the last two games.

Stony Brook boasts a swarming defense spearheaded by linebacker Andre Jean-Pierre (51 tackles) and end Adam Soivilien (49).

Framingham State (2-4) at Maine Maritime Academy (4-2), noon, Ritchie Field, Castine: The Mariners can remain in the chase for the New England Football Conference Bogan Division title with a victory over the Rams.

MMA, which has beaten Framingham State six straight times since 2001, goes into its home finale riding a three-game winning streak, including last weekend’s 20-18 victory at Massachusetts Maritime.

Coach Chris McKenney’s Mariners continue to churn 242 yards per game (No. 23 in the country) out of the option, which features halfback Brandon Goodrich (88 ypg) and QB Tyler Angell (41 ypg), who also has thrown for a two TDs.

MMA’s 20.2 points per game has been enough to win of late, although the Mariners’ average margin of victory during the win streak is only five points.

The offensive efforts have held up because of a defense that allows only 90 ypg via the run. Chris Tracy has 41 tackles, 15 for a loss of yardage, while Rob Leighton boasts four interceptions.

MMA has afforded opponents an average of nearly 200 passing yards but haven’t given up too many long scoring plays through the air.

Husson (5-2) at Alfred (6-0), 1 p.m., Merrill Stadium, Alfred, N.Y.: The Eagles look to match the program’s single-season wins total, but will have to beat a talented Alfred team to do so. Husson, coming off a 63-7 pasting of SUNY Maritime, takes on the top team in the Empire 8 Conference.

The Saxons rank sixth in Division III total offense, piling up 496 yards per game, and are ninth in scoring at 41 ppg.

Husson counters with the eighth-ranked defense, which has given up only 225 yards and 16 points per contest. Linebacker Ross Salovitch (59 tackles), cornerback Ramael Barton (40) and ‘backer Bobby Gilbert (45) continue to set the tone.

Alfred is led by Vinson Hendrix (129 ypg rushing), Paul Keeley (204 ypg passing) and Trevor Bork (5.3 receptions, 80 yards receiving per game).

The Eagles will try to balanced the two-pronged ground game of Bryan Ferguson (95 ypg) and Julius Williams (87 ypg) with the passing attack keyed by QB Jonah Chappell (157 ypg) and wideout Victor McKenzie (3.0 rec., 52 yds. per game).

The Saxons have a strong defense that has surrendered only 16.2 ppg.

Today’s other games: Bowdoin (1-3) at Trinity (3-1), 1 p.m.; Colby (0-4) at Hamilton (1-3), noon; Middlebury (3-1) at Bates (0-4), 1 p.m.