WHERE: Casey Stadium, Albany, New York
KICKOFF: noon Saturday
STREAMING: FloFootball
ALL-TIME SERIES: Maine leads, 10-5
KEY STAT: 17 — Consecutive times Maine has scored when reaching the red zone, inside the opponent’s 20.
OUTLOOK: Maine and Albany have had similar seasons, in that each has lost several close games. Five of Albany’s seven losses have been by a touchdown or less, while three of Maine’s seven losses have been by four or fewer points, including last week’s 26-22 loss at Rhode Island. Last week, the Black Bears (2-4 in the Colonial Athletic Association) had a better start, scoring first for just the second time all season. Coming out of the half strong and having a better third quarter is a key, said Maine Coach Jordan Stevens. The Black Bears have been outscored 80-37 in the third quarter. Another key is the continued development of freshman tight end Rohan Jones in the wake of Shawn Bowman’s injury. Jones made his first career touchdown catch last week and has six catches for 57 yards. This game could be a chance for Maine’s inconsistent offense to find a rhythm. The Great Danes (1-5 in the CAA) rank next to last in the conference in yards allowed per game (404.7) and points allowed per game (35.4).
Defensively, it seems as if the Black Bears face one of the conference’s top quarterbacks every week, and Albany’s Reese Poffenbarger is no exception. Poffenbarger is second in the CAA in passing yards with 2,477, to go with 20 TDs, although he is coming off his worst game of the season, completing just 18 of 37 passes for 161 yards and an interception in a 27-3 loss at Elon. Tight end Thomas Greaney leads Albany with 509 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Linebacker Adrian Otero leads the Black Bears with 59 tackles. Justin Sambu and Jamehl Wiley have combined for eight of Maine’s 18 sacks. The Black Bears have yet to hold an opponent under 21 points.
OF NOTE: The Black Bears have lost three straight, by a total of 15 points. … Maine has won seven consecutive games over Albany. … Maine has gone four consecutive games without a turnover. Oddly, the Black Bears are 1-3 in those games. … Maine has lost just once at Albany, 20-16 in 2009, the first time the Black Bears played there. … This is Maine’s second trip to Albany in as many seasons. The Black Bears won last season, 19-16.
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