The Husson Eagles who are out of contention for the NCAA Div III football playoffs play their final game of the 2019 season when they hit the road Saturday, while the Maine Black Bears who are still very much alive for a bid to the FCS playoffs play their final home game of the regular season Saturday on Senior Day in Orono.
Husson (4-5, 4-2 Commonwealth Coast Conference) hope to end their season on a high note entering Saturdays conference game at Western New England riding a two game winning streak.
The Eagles rallied last Saturday at home on Senior Day in Bangor for a 29-26 overtime win over Salve Regina after trailing 23-6 at halftime. Tyler Halls continued his big season by hauling in three second half touchdowns and a 182 yard receiving day to lead Husson. The Golden Bears are 8-1 and 6-0 in the CCC having clinched the regular season conference title for the fifth straight season last weekend. Western New England averages 481 yards per game on offense, 284 through the air and 196 on the ground putting up an average of 40 points per game and will prove to be too strong of an opponent for the visiting Eagles. PREDICTION- This is a mismatch on paper and likely to be on the field. The Golden Bears head into the playoffs with another win and send the Eagles home with a loss in their final game. Western New England 44, Husson 20
Meanwhile in Orono, the Maine Black Bears (5-5, 3-3 Colonial Athletic Association) will look to continue a three game win streak when it welcomes in Rhode Island on Senior Day. Maine would be likely into the FCS playoffs with a win this week over URI and next week at UNH.
Rhode Island (2-8, 0-6) is coming in off a 55-19 loss to William & Mary last weekend, while Maine jumped to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter at Elon en route to a 31-17 win. The Rams have lost 12 consecutive games to the Black Bears and 17 of the last 18. URI last won a road game in this series at Alfond Stadium over Maine in 1998. The game will feature the two top passing teams in the CAA in Maine (315) and URI (312). PREDICTION- The Black Bears seem to have the mismatch in this contest. Look for Joe Fagnano, Earnest Edwards, and the rest of that high powered Maine offense to have an explosive day against the last ranked defense in the league. Maine 41, Rhode Island 23
