The University of Maine football team will be back in action this coming Saturday after a week off when they travel to face the #1 team in the FCS, the James Madison University Dukes, at Bridgeforth Stadium in Williamsburg, Virginia at 1:30 p.m.
Maine (1-1), is coming off an impressive 60-12 home win over Bryant on September 9th. The Black Bears have been led by freshman quarterback Chris Ferguson, who is 31-61 for 389 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Sophomore running back Josh Mack had 255 yards rushing in the win over Bryant, and so far has rushed 40 times for 375 yards and three touchdowns. The receiving core is led by Jared Osumah who has eight catches for 114 yards, while Earnest Edwards has four catches for 66 yards and a pair of scores. Freshman Jaron Grayer and also junior Sterling Sheffield has led the defense. Sheffield has 16 total tackles and a sack, while Grayer also has 16 tackles and a pair of sacks. The Maine special teams have struggled in early going, as freshman kicker Kenny Doak is 3-5 on field goal attempts, having one blocked, and also missing an extra point and having an extra point blocked.
JMU (3-0), has outscored their opponents 161-38 over the first three games. Quarterback Bryan Schor is 54-73 for 657 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Running back Cardon Johnson has rushed 37 times for 351 yards and three scores. David Eldridge and Ishmael Hyman lead the receiving core. Eldridge has 12 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, while Hyman has nine grabs for 142 yards and two touchdowns. The defense is led by Kyre Hawkins who has 21 total tackles and half a sack, while Jimmy Moreland has 15 tackles and an interception. The Dukes have five interceptions over their first three contests. JMU rolled in each of their three victories, including 34-14 over FBS opponent East Carolina on the road back on September 2nd. This will be the first league game for JMU. Maine has played one CAA game thus far, losing a heartbreaker in the season opener at UNH 24-23.
The Bears and Dukes matched up last year in Orono. Maine played tough, but JMU eventually pulled away for a 31-20 win.
