Both the University of Maine and Husson University football teams are in action on Saturday. The Eagles host their annual homecoming contest against University of New England, while the Black Bears go out of conference on the road in a step up game against FBS opponent Liberty.
Maine (2-4, 0-3 CAA) is coming off a tough home loss to unranked Richmond 24-17 last Saturday in Orono. The Black Bears who were ranked as high as #7 in the FCS rankings early in the season is now unranked as they make the trip to Lynchburg, Virginia to battle the Liberty Flames out of the Independent Conference on Saturday at 6 p.m. Liberty (4-2) is coming off a bye week and enter the game with a four game winning streak, with a victory at New Mexico State last time out.
The Flames feature former Maine running back Josh Mack in their backfield who ran for 113 yards and a touchdown in their win over NM State. The Black Bears who were without All-Conference kick returner and wide receiver Earnest Edwards (fractured nose) last week will get him back in the lineup on Saturday. Maine also suffered an injury to starting quarterback Chris Ferguson (right ankle sprain) in the first quarter of the loss to Richmond. Ferguson is considered day to day but not expected to play against Liberty. Freshman quarterback Joe Fagnano who went 10-16 for 157 yards, with one touchdown and one interception in relief of Ferguson is the projected starter Saturday. PREDICTION- The inexperience at quarterback will hurt the Maine offense, and the inconsistency with the running game and the Black Hole defense who has only forced one turnover in six games will also hurt. Expect the Flames to win this one easily over the Black Bears- Liberty 42, Maine 19. The game can be seen live on ESPN Plus.
The Husson football team fresh off two wins in a row to begin Commonwealth Coast Conference action will try to make it three wins in a row in league play when they welcome in-state rival the University of New England Nor’easters to the Winkin Complex at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Husson (2-3, 2-0 CCC) held off a late two point conversion last Saturday to top Curry College 42-40. The Eagles play the Nor’easters for just the second time ever. Husson topped them last season in a non-conference matchup in Biddeford 47-7 when they were in their last season of play in the ECFC. UNE (2-3, 0-2) are just in their second season of varsity football and also started as part of the CCC, setting up an in state rivalry now every year between the Eagles and the Nor’easters. Husson features quarterback David Morrison who has thrown for almost 1200 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in five games this season. The Eagles are led in the backfield by Shawn Noel Jr. and Garrett Poussard who combine for over 100 yards per game rushing with five total touchdowns. Tyler Halls has caught 35 passes for nearly 500 yards and three touchdowns, while Aiden Hogan (22 rec, 238 yards, five touchdowns) and Keyshaun Robinson (19-237-2) also contribute to the success in the passing game. PREDICTION- The Nor’easters are a pass first offense and the Eagles will use that to their advantage on Saturday with rushing the passer. UNE QB Brian Peters has thrown for over 1700 yards with 12 touchdowns and a completion rate of over 71% in their five games this season. Expect a steady dose of Noel and Poussard out of the backfield and a good balanced attack from Husson. I like the Eagles to improve to 3-0 in conference play- Husson 38, UNE 24
