Maine hosts Florida International at Fitzpatrick Stadium Saturday night.
Last season, the University of Maine football team traveled to Florida International University for the first game of a three-year series matching the upstart Golden Panthers against the Black Bears. Maine had the upper hand from the beginning, and using several backup players, pitched a shutout until 12 seconds remained on the clock.
This year, in the second-ever meeting between the two non-conference teams, the game is still not at home for the Black Bears, although it will count as a home game in the standings.
Maine will play its traditional annual home game at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, and for the second consecutive year, the opponent looks less than frightening. Last season, the Black Bears opened the season against Central Connecticut State at Fitzpatrick, routing the Blue Devils 52-3.
Kickoff is 6 p.m. Saturday.
While this is an apparent mismatch, Florida International finished last season with a respectable 5-6 record in its innaugural season. This year, they’ll square off against traditional Division 1-AA powers Bethune-Cookman and Georgia Southern. Such a rugged schedule can only serve to make the team better as it grows slowly.
Helping the Golden Panthers along in their building process is head coach and former NFL quarterback Don Strock.
On the field, however, Florida International faces a much more daunting task. Starting quarterback Jamie Burke, 18-for-31 last weekend with no touchdowns or interceptions, was diagnosed this week with a torn right ACL after complaining of soreness late in the game last Saturday. A sophomore, Burke was highly touted and had shown promise in the school’s search for its first winning season.
Taking Burke’s place will be David Tabor, who went 3-for-4 for 34 yards in relief last weekend.
Another problem for the Golden Panthers is a weak running game. Maine’s defense has swallowed opponents over the first two weeks of the season, allowing just 92 yards per game on the ground. The Panthers last week managed 59 net rushing yards against Indiana State.
For Maine, the passing and running offense gelled last weekend against Hofstra. All-A-10 running back Marcus Williams, after going for just 80 yards on opening weekend against Montana, ran all over the Flying Dutchmen last weekend. He amassed 197 yards, one short of his career high.
Under center, Ron Whitcomb settled into the starting role, passing for 183 yards and three touchdowns, two for over 30 yards to Ryan Waller.
On defense, Black Bears’ linebacker Fred Lazo garnered the A-10’s Defensive Player of the Week award for the second consecutive week. Lazo leads the stingy Black Bears’ defense with two interceptions in two games and is second with 16 tackles, eight solo.
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