The University of Maine football team returns to Portland Saturday for the first time since 2005, when they face Delaware in a big conference matchup at Fitzpatrick Stadium, with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.
Maine (4-3, 3-3 CAA), winners of three straight games, are most likely in a situation where they must win all three of their remaining contests in order to qualify for the FCS playoffs. The remaining contests on the schedule after the Blue Hens is a trip to Fenway Park on 11/11 to face FBS opponent UMass, and then the season finale at home on 11/18 vs Stony Brook.
Offensively, redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Ferguson has led the way during the Black Bear win streak. Ferguson has gone 50-80 passing, 669 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions. Running back Josh Mack, who leads all of FCS with a 139.9 yards per game average, has rushed 86 times for 455 yards a pair of scores in conference wins over Rhode Island, Albany, and William and Mary. The “Black Hole” defense have only allowed an average of 14 points in the three wins, led recently by Jaron Grayer and Javon Whitaker. Maine is third in the CAA and 12th nationally with an average of 3.1 sacks per game.
Delaware (5-3, 3-2), comes in off a late 18-17 loss last Saturday to Towson. Maine has won the last four meetings between the two teams, including a 28-21 win at Delaware last season on a fumble returned for a touchdown in the last minute.
Chris Lessner will be on the coverage Saturday from Fitzpatrick Stadium with live scoring plays at www.twitter.com/EasternMESports and a full recap tomorrow evening at EasternMaineSports.com.
