The University of Maine Black Bears and UNH Wildcats will battle once again in the Brice-Cowell Musket football rivalry game this Saturday in Durham, New Hampshire. Both programs, after disappointing regular seasons that will see neither team participating in postseason play, will try to finish on a high note in the annual contest in what is the 113th meeting between the two schools.
In last year’s meeting in Orono, UNH topped Maine 42-41 in overtime as the Black Bears went for a two-point conversion to try to win it after answering a Wildcats touchdown. Maine comes into this Saturday’s game with a three game losing streak and at 2-8 overall (1-6 Coastal Athletic Association). The Bears have been led by quarterback Derek Robertson, who after a slow start to his senior season, has played well. Over his last six games, Robertson has passed for 2,016 yards and 22 touchdowns including a career-high 503 yards in a loss at Campbell University back on October 21. Wide receiver Joe Gillette, the graduate transfer from Lafayette College has enjoyed a superb season with 36 receptions for 570 yards and five TDs. Senior WR Jamie Lamson (41 catches, 502 yards, five touchdowns), and junior wideout Montigo Moss (37 receptions, 408 yards, three touchdowns) have also contributed. Freshman running back Tristen Kenan has led the ground game with 99 attempts for 414 yards and five scores. While the offense has played particularly well especially in the last six games, the defense has not been consistent enough to get off the field in big situations. Maine opponents are converting at nearly 50% on third down, and scoring 31 points per game. The Black Bears blew a pair of 14-point leads in their final home game of the season before the bye week in a 42-35 loss to Hampton University in the most recent outing on November 4.
UNH (5-5, 3-4 CAA), who was picked second in the conference in the preseason poll, has lost three out of their four CAA games by a total of 13 points. The Wildcats have been anchored offensively by their two captains in senior running back Dylan Laube and senior quarterback Max Brosmer. Laube has 749 yards rushing with nine touchdowns on 160 carries, while also adding 68 receptions for 699 yards and seven scores. Brosmer has had a fantastic senior campaign, throwing for 3,193 yards (278-433, 64.2%) with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also contributed four TDs on the ground.
UNH has won 10 of the last 12 meetings in this series with Maine (leads 58-46-8 overall). The kickoff from Wildcat Stadium on Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Story and photo by Chris Lessner
University of Maine quarterback Derek Robertson takes the snap in an earlier game this season vs Stony Brook at Alfond Stadium. Robertson and the Black Bears head to Durham to play their final contest of the season on Saturday in a rivalry battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket in the 113th all-time meeting against UNH
