COAST GUARD AT MAINE MARITIME FOOTBALL
When: Today, noon. Where: Ritchie Field, Castine, Maine. Records: Coast Guard Academy 4-2 overall, 1-2 NEWMAC; Maine Maritime 0-6, 0-3. Players to watch: Coast Guard, QB Ryan Jones (99-for-189, 1,029 yards, 7 TDs, 7 INT), RB Jon Wagner (67 carries, 339 yards, 4 TDs), WR Justin Moffatt (37 catches, 339 yards, 2 TDs), WR Damaso Jaime (17 catches, 310 yards, 5 TDs), DT Philip Orlando (43 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks), LB RJ Robiskie (35 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks), LB Eugene Bizer (65 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 INT, 2 fumble recoveries), DB Pat Crowley (41 tackles, 7 pass breakups, 4 INTs), DB Mike Goldsworthy (29 tackles, 7 pass breakups). Maine Maritime, QB Nikolas Moquin (79-for-149, 992 yards, 10 TDs, 8 INTs), WR Dominic Casale (34 catches, 460 yards, 8 TDs), LB Terrell Thomas (49 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss), LB Spencer Baron (41 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), DB Trenton Bouchard (3 INTs).
Analysis: Maine Maritime has won just one game in their last 31, a 3416 victory over Coast Guard the last time the Bears traveled to Maine in 2017. And don't think Coast Guard coach Bill George hasn't brought that up a time or two in the last week. Coast Guard lost 20-14 last week to Springfield despite shutting out the Pride and limiting the potent Springfield triple-option to just one first down in the second half. "It's part of the deal here," said George, whose team has started the season by playing in six straight games decided by 10 points or fewer for the first time in program history. "This game will be no different." ... Coast Guard's defense has been exceptional. The Bears have a NEWMAC-best 22 sacks, ranking 24th in Division III with 3.67 sacks per game. Linebacker RJ Robiskie leads the NEWMAC and is 15th nationally with seven sacks, while lineman Philip Orlando is second in the league with six. Linebacker Eugene Bizer leads the league with 65 tackles and Coast
Guard is first in the NEWMAC with 12 takeaways: seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries. The defense has lost lineman Colby LaDuque and linebacker Kane Alletzhauser for the season due to injury. "I would say the second half, yes," Coast Guard strong safety Mark Wicke said, rating last week's defensive performance against Springfield. "The first half was not a good showing; we gave them too many third-down conversions. The second half was pretty special . ... It's a special group. Eugene Bizer is arguably the best in the conference, if not in the country. People are playing banged up. The sacrifices the guys are making to play are pretty special." ... Coast Guard's Mike Goldsworthy had three interceptions last season as the Bears beat Maine Maritime 15-0. ... Maine Maritime is coming off a 30-12 loss to MIT. The Mariners are allowing an average of 42.8 points and 476.5 yards per game, 330.3 yards rushing. — Vickie Fulkerson