No. 14 Towson (6-2, 4-1 Colonial Athletic Association) @ No. 7 Maine (7-1, 5-0)
Time:
Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Site:
Alfond Stadium, Orono, Maine
TV:
CSN+
Radio:
1570 AM
Series:
Maine leads 6-3.
What's at stake:
In a contest that pits two former cellar-dwellers against each other, Towson and Maine are fighting for the CAA championship late in the season. The Tigers are coming off their first loss to a Football Championship Subdivision team of the season, falling to Delaware, 35-30, last week. They had won six of their first seven games, the program's best start at the FCS level. The Bears, meanwhile, have won six straight and, with a win, would have a chance to clinch a share of the CAA title. Last week, they dispatched Villanova, 41-25.
Key matchup:
Maine QB Warren Smith has shredded defenses this season with his ability to make the deep throw and save a broken play with his feet. Against Villanova last week, the senior threw for 251 yards and two touchdowns while adding 74 yards on the ground and a touchdown. He is second in the CAA in passing yards per game. The Towson secondary is second in the conference in pass defense, allowing just 192.1 yards per game.
Players to watch:
Towson freshman RB Terrance West has a nation-leading 18 touchdowns to go with his 746 rushing yards. He is the main reason the Tigers have the conference's best rushing attack, becoming the first Tiger to rush for more than 100 yards in four consecutive games since 2002. Maine junior WR Maurice McDonald leads the team with 542 receiving yards and five touchdowns.