The Husson Eagles and University of Maine Black Bear football teams take to the road Saturday afternoon in non-conference matchups at Norwich University and Merrimack College respectively.
Maine (1-2 overall, 0-1 Coastal Athletic Association) will face FCS Independent Merrimack College (1-2) in a non-conference tilt set for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Duane Stadium in North Andover, Massachusetts. It will be only the second meeting in football between the two schools, and will be the first trip to Merrimack for UMaine. The Black Bears have lost two in a row since their season opening 17-14 win over Colgate, falling to nationally ranked Montana State on the road (41-24), and in their CAA opener to Monmouth in Orono last Saturday (51-22). The defense has given up 92 points and 1,160 yards of offense to their opponents in those last two contests. Transfer quarterback Carter Peevy has helped to try to lead the offense, completing 64% of his throws thus far (50-78) with two touchdowns and one interception. Merrimack (1-2) played a very competitive season opener on the road at FBS opponent Air Force before falling 21-6, and dropped a 63-17 decision to FBS UConn in Week 2. The Warriors picked up their first win last Saturday at home 31-21 over Bucknell. They are led by QB Ayden Pereira and running back Jermaine Corbett. Corbett rushed for 166 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown in the win last week. Maine after this weekend will face a very tough four game gauntlet of Coastal Athletic Association contests, as they travel to #20 Albany and Delaware, then host #5 Villanova for homecoming, before going back on the road to face the Rhode Island Rams.
Husson (1-1) continues their five game non-conference slate with a trip to Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont at Haynes Family Stadium for a 2 p.m. kickoff. The Eagles, after an impressive 56-14 season opening home win over Framingham State, allowed 560 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on the ground in a 76-7 loss to Springfield College in Bangor last Saturday. Junior Max Clark is the signal caller at quarterback, and has thrown for three touchdowns (25 for 43) and two interceptions in his first two collegiate starts. Running back Jed Lober, who tied a school record with five touchdowns in the season opener, was held to just 30 yards on 11 carries with no scores in the loss to the Pride. Norwich (0-2) has lost two very competitive contests to open their season, 14-12 to Vermont State University Caselton and 20-9 to St. Lawrence University. The Cadets, who host Husson for their annual homecoming game Saturday, will be led by QB Aidan Sullivan who has thrown for 361 yards with one touchdown and one interception so far this season. Husson will be on the road the next three weeks with this game at Norwich, and then will finish up non-conference play at Anna Maria College (Sept. 28) and Dean College (October 12). The Eagles open up Conference of New England (CNE) league games by hosting Nichols College for homecoming on October 19 at the Winkin Complex in Bangor.
Maine quarterback Carter Peevy scores a touchdown in the Black Bears 17-14 season opening win over Colgate on August 31 in Orono. Photo by Anthony DelMonaco
Husson quarterback Max Clark waits for the snap during a 56-14 season opening Eagles win over Framingham State on September 7 in Bangor. Photo courtesy of Eric Ogden Photography
