WHERE: Alfond Stadium, Orono

KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

ALL-TIME SERIES: Maine leads, 58-43-3

LAST MEETING: Oct. 22, 2016, won by Maine, 28-21

TV: WPME; Fox College Sports

WHEN MAINE HAS THE BALL: It’s really simple. Maine has to be able to run the ball effectively, and that’s becoming harder as teams put seven players on the defensive front to take away the run and force redshirt freshman Chris Ferguson to throw the ball. But the Black Bears have their greatest success when Josh Mack, who is averaging 131 rushing yards a game, gets going. That opens up the play-action passing game for Ferguson and Maine’s receivers, like Jaleel Reed, Jared Osumah, Earnest Edwards and Micah Wright. Maine is going to have to contend with Rhode Island defensive end L.B. Mack III, who had 10 tackles last week.

WHEN RHODE ISLAND HAS THE BALL: The Rams have their greatest success passing the ball, ranking third in the Colonial Athletic Association with 273.8 yards per game. WR Aaron Parker, who is averaging 17.8 yards per catch, has caught a touchdown pass in seven consecutive games. He has 29 catches on the year and WR Marven Beauvais has 23, averaging 14.5 yards per catch. QB Tyler Harris has thrown for 1,259 yards, third-best in FCS. Maine’s defense has to play a fundamental game. Much of the Rams’ success comes on run-pass options where Harris will either hand off to a running back or throw a quick pass or screen to a receiver.

KEY STAT: Maine has 10 consecutive wins over Rhode Island. The Rams’ last win over Maine was a 3-0 decision on Oct. 28, 2006.

OUTLOOK: Maine is looking to regroup after a 31-0 loss to Villanova in which the Black Bears turned the ball over six times. Maine needs to protect the ball better against a defense that has forced eight fumbles, third-best in FCS. A big key will be whether Maine can control the clock with its running game. Rhode Island’s passing game is one of the best in the conference, and the Black Bears need to keep the Rams off the field as much as possible. Rhode Island is going to try to force the game into Ferguson’s hands by clamping down on the defensive front. Maine’s wide receivers must get involved in more downfield plays this week.

OF NOTE: Maine will be without safety DeAndre Scott (concussion) for a second consecutive week. This will be the third game he misses this year. … Both teams are looking for their first CAA win. Maine is 0-3 and Rhode Island is 0-2. The Rams, who are coming off their bye week, have been close – two of their four losses were by three points. … Rhode Island has turned the ball over 15 times and ranks last in turnover differential in the CAA at minus-4. Maine is third in the CAA with 13 takeaways.

— Mike Lowe