Where: Alfond Stadium, Orono
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Streaming/TV: FloCollege, WVII ABC 7 Bangor
All-time series: This is the first meeting between these teams.
Key stat: Stonehill’s opponents have averaged 244 rushing yards per game.
Outlook: This is a get-right game for the Black Bears, after they faded in the fourth quarter in two straight road losses. Stonehill is coming off a 42-26 loss to Lafayette in which it trailed 42-6 and surrendered 469 yards, including 319 on the ground. That bodes well for Maine’s revamped running game, which rushed for 226 yards in last week’s 28-27 loss at William & Mary. Sincere Baines has 205 yards rushing is averaging 7.3 yards per carry, and quarterback Carter Peevy ran for 97 yards and a touchdown last week. Cape Elizabeth’s Nick Laughlin is expected to return from an injury, adding depth to Maine’s backfield. Peevy hasn’t been as sharp passing the ball as he was last season, completing just 45% of his passes with two interceptions and two touchdowns. Scott Woods, a transfer from Harvard, leads the Black Bears with 10 catches for 82 yards.
Maine linebacker Christian Thomas is among the nation’s leading tacklers with 28, while safety Devin Vaught has 14 stops. Stonehill’s offense did not show any ability to run the ball consistently in its first two games, averaging 2.0 yards per rush without a touchdown. Quarterback Jack O’Connell has completed 74% of his passes for 481 yards, with four touchdowns and two picks. His favorite target is wideout Zachary Kim (eight catches, 91 yards, three touchdowns).
Of note: The Skyhawks are 0-3 against teams from the Coastal Athletic Association in the last two seasons, with two losses to New Hampshire and one to Stony Brook. … This is the first of two consecutive nonconference games for the Black Bears, who play at Football Bowl Subdivision opponent Georgia Southern next week. … Maine’s turnover margin of minus-3 is 13th in the 14 team CAA. … Thornton Academy grad Cody Ruff is a senior tight end for Stonehill. He has four catches for 30 yards this season. Kennebunk’s Charles Majkowski is a freshman offensive lineman with the Skyhawks. …This is the lone home night game on the Black Bears schedule.
