WHERE: Alfond Stadium, Orono
WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
STREAMING: FloFootball
ALL-TIME SERIES: The series is tied, 5-5.
KEY STAT: 9.75, Maine’s scoring average through four games. In the Coastal Athletic Association, only North Carolina A&T averages fewer points per game (8.33).
OUTLOOK: One of these teams is going to walk out of Alfond Stadium with its first win of the season. For the Black Bears to celebrate a victory, they need to find their offense. Maine has just four touchdowns in four games and is coming off a 28-3 loss at William & Mary. Maine has yet to throw a touchdown pass, and quarterback Derek Robertson has five interceptions. While every player is evaluated week to week, Coach Jordan Stevens said during his weekly CAA media conference there are no plans to remove Robertson as the starting quarterback. Stevens said the entire offense needs to improve. Three of Maine’s four touchdowns have been scored by freshman running back Tristen Kenan, who leads the team with 273 yards rushing. The Seawolves will challenge Maine with a strong pass rush that has 12 sacks through four games, led by defensive end Andy Nwaoko and defensive lineman Dyshier Clary, each with two. That pass rush helped Stony Brook force four interceptions in last week’s 20-19 loss to Richmond. Linebacker Aidan Kaler leads the Seawolves with 36 tackles. Even with its success getting to the quarterback, Stony Brook ranks last in the conference in total defense, allowing 441.3 yards per game. Maine’s defense will be without starting safeties Robby Riobe and Shakur Smalls, both out with injury. Stevens didn’t offer a timetable on their return. Abdul Stewart is expected to start at free safety for the Black Bears, with Damon Matthews at strong safety. Stony Brook quarterback Casey Case has three touchdowns and six picks while throwing for 677 yards and completing just over 50% of his passes (63 of 125). Case’s favorite target is wideout Anthony Johnson, who is sixth in the CAA with 261 receiving yards. Shakhi Carson (112 yards rushing), Johnny Martin (116 yards), and Ross Tallarico (165 yards) share the rushing duties. While Maine has struggled all season to convert third-down chances, finding success just 27.5% of the time (14 of 51), the Seawolves have struggled even more to move the chains, converting just 12 of 53 third-down opportunities, a 22.6% success rate.
OF NOTE: Maine is on a nine-game losing streak, dating to a 28-27 loss at Stony Brook on Oct. 22 last season. … Since that win over Maine last season, the Seawolves are 1-7. … Andrew Dresner, Maine’s former offensive coordinator, is in his first season as offensive coordinator at Stony Brook. Dresner served as Maine’s interim head coach in December 2021 before Stevens was hired. … Both teams have a loss to Rhode Island. The Rams defeated Maine 34-17 two weeks ago, and beat Stony Brook 35-14 on Sept. 8. … Stony Brook won its last two games over the Black Bears, including a 22-17 victory on Nov. 6, 2021, at Alfond Stadium, the Seawolves’ last visit to Orono. That was Stony Brook’s last road win. … The road team has won four of the last five games in this series. Maine’s last win at home over Stony Brook came in 2015.
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