ORONO, Maine — Saturday is Homecoming at the University of Maine.
It is a time for alumni to return to the campus to renew friendships and for the Black Bears football team to rekindle old rivalries.
UMaine fans will have to dig deep into the history books to find the last time their team played Saturday’s opponent, Yale University. It was 1937.
Thus the Black Bears play their second home game of the season against one of the nation’s oldest and most storied football programs.
“What struck me the most is they have a ton of football players from what one would consider the marquee high schools in the country — Mission Viejo [California], De La Salle [California], St. Thomas Aquinas [Florida] — all over the country,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove.
It also will be a homecoming of sorts for four Yale staff members who are former UMaine coaches or players. They are Jordan Stevens, Kevin Cahill, Steve Vashel and Chris Gennaro.
Yale Bulldogs (3-1) at Maine Black Bears (2-3), 3:30 p.m., Morse Field at Alfond Stadium, Orono: UMaine hopes to build off its win at Albany in a nonconference clash with the Bulldogs of the Ivy League. Yale hopes to rebound from a 35-3 setback at Dartmouth.
The Black Bears hope to stay locked in on defense against a team that is averaging 23 points and 312 yards per game. UMaine pits tackling leaders in linebacker Randy Samuels (28 tackles, two interceptions) and end Trevor Bates (27 tackles, 3.5 sacks) against quarterback Morgan Roberts (108-for-188, 1,144 yards, seven touchdowns, five interceptions), wideout Michael Siragusa Jr. (26 receptions, 325 yards, two touchdowns) and tailback Deshawn Salter (65 carries, 329 yards, two touchdowns).
UMaine had its offense clicking last week and looks to maintain a balance between a ground game led by tailback Nigel Jones (57-265-3) and the passing attack that features quarterback Dan Collins (74-for-138, 788 yards, two touchdowns, five interceptions) and wideouts Micah Wright (30-434-3) and Jordan Dunn (23-219-1).
Yale has surrendered 25 points and 399 yards per contest. The Bulldogs’ leaders are linebacker Victor Egu (35 tackles, one interception) and safety Hayden Carlson (33 tackles, one interception).
BEAR TRACKS: UMaine linebacker Cabrinni Goncalves (groin) is expected to play after missing the UAlbany game, while LB Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga continues his improvement after getting limited reps last week.
Becker Hawks (3-2) at Husson Eagles (3-1), noon, Winkin Complex, Bangor: The Eagles look to take another step toward an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference title against the Hawks.
Husson (2-0 ECFC) ranks third in Division III total defense (177 ypg) and is second in pass efficiency defense behind LB Ellis Throckmorton of Bangor (36 tackles) and safety Kenny Sweet (28 tackles, three interceptions).
Western New England Bears (5-0) at Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (1-3), noon, Ritchie Field, Castine: Maine Maritime is bracing for a tough test against the New England Football Conference leaders with both coming off an open date.
WNE has piled up 49 points and 545 yards per game, both ECFC bests. Maine Maritime has netted 21.8 and 446, respectively, with its option assault.