WHERE: Alfond Stadium, Orono

WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday

STREAMING FloFootball

ALL-TIME SERIES: Maine leads, 5-1

KEY STAT: 441.33, the average number of yards allowed per game by Bryant’s defense, which ranks 15th in the 16-team Coastal Athletic Association.

OUTLOOK: Coming off last week’s game at Oklahoma, Maine returns to CAA play against the league’s newest member. Bryant is in its first season of CAA competition, and the Bulldogs visit Orono looking for their first conference win. The Bulldogs came close last week, missing on a 2-point conversion try in overtime in a 31-30 loss to Stony Brook. Bryant has allowed at least 24 points in each of its conference games, so this could be an opportunity for the Black Bears’ offense to make some noise. Maine quarterback Carter Peevy is 12th in the Football Championship Subdivision in completion percentage, connecting on 68.4% of his throws for 1,714 yards and 12 touchdowns. Five of tight end Cooper Heisey’s 15 catches have been for touchdowns. Montigo Moss leads Maine with 44 catches for 461 yards, with three touchdowns. Cape Elizabeth’s Nick Laughlin scored his first career touchdown last week on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter. A versatile wideout, Laughlin has 15 catches for 117 yards. Linebacker Cole Nilles leads Bryant’s defense with 50 tackles, while linebacker Ben Silver has 4.5 sacks.

Maine Coach Jordan Stevens called Bryant’s offense explosive. Wide receiver Landon Ruggieri certainly fits that description. Ruggieri is second in the FCS with 11 receiving touchdowns and fourth in receiving yards (843). Freshman quarterback Brennan Myer threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns last week in just his second start, earning CAA Rookie of the Week honors. Linebacker Christian Thomas had a career-high 10 tackles for Maine last week at Oklahoma. Kesean Dyson (53 tackles) and Xavier Holmes (52 tackles) continue to lead Maine’s defense. While the Black Bears have allowed 179 yards per game on the ground, Bryant’s running attack has struggled, averaging just under 97 yards per game.

OF NOTE: This is the first game between Maine and Bryant since 2017, and the first as conference rivals. In the last meeting against Bryant seven years ago, Maine took a 60-12 win and gained 536 yards, including 381 on the ground… Bryant Coach Chris Merritt said he thinks any CAA opponent his team has faced so far would win the Big South/OVC, Bryant’s previous league… Moss needs 142 yards receiving for 1,500 yards in his career… Maine has a plus-3 turnover margin, while Bryant’s turnover margin in minus-6.