WHERE: Alfond Stadium
KICKOFF: Noon Saturday
TV: WPME, Fox College Sports
ALL-TIME SERIES: Villanova leads, 10-9
LAST MEETING: Oct. 31, 2015, won by Villanova, 13-3
WHEN MAINE HAS THE BALL: QB Dan Collins is coming off one of his most productive games of the season. He was 19 of 31 for 280 yards and two touchdowns, completing passes to eight receivers. He’ll need to be sharp again, but Maine’s running game also needs to produce against the CAA’s top run defense. The Black Bears have rushed for more than 180 yards in four of their last five games.
WHEN VILLANOVA HAS THE BALL: QB Zach Bednarczyk has completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns. But the Wildcats look to run first. They have the CAA’s third-best rushing offense, averaging 225.1 yards per game. Aaron Forbes leads Villanova with 600 rushing yards, averaging 7.6 per carry. Javon White averages 4.8 yards a carry, and even Bednarczyk has 311 rushing yards. Bednarczyk rushed for 123 yards against Maine last year.
KEY STAT: 19 – sacks by Villanova, which leads the CAA.
OUTLOOK: This is Maine’s biggest test of the season. Villanova has the CAA’s top-ranked defense. The Black Bears not only have to move the ball but put points up, too. Maine’s offensive line, which has allowed only 10 sacks, needs to hold up against Villanova’s pressure. Maine’s run defense, ranked ninth in the CAA (181.1 yards per game) needs to have its best game of the season to force the Wildcats to go to the air. Maine’s defense has stepped up recently, forcing eight turnovers in the last two games.
OF NOTE: Maine may be getting back safety DeAndre Scott, who has missed the last three games because of a sprained left foot. Running back Nigel Beckford, who has also missed the last three games because of a broken bone in his left leg, returned to practice this week. He could return soon. … Coach Andy Talley is retiring at the end of the season after 32 years at Villanova. He has 255 career victories, the most in Division I.
THEY SAID IT: “It’s something I’ve never been a part of, it’s something a lot of these guys have never been a part of before. It’s really a great feeling when you come to the office every day and you’re excited about practice, you’re excited about the upcoming week and the challenge ahead and you’re in control of your own destiny. It’s something very special.” – Micah Wright, UMaine wide receiver, on the Black Bears’ five-game winning streak.
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