The University of Maine has a chance to jump into the Colonial Athletic Association football race this week. But they’re going to need their defense to step up and play like it has in the past.

Maine’s heralded Black Hole defense has carried this team at times, especially in the last couple of years when the offense has struggled. But this year, the defense has uncharacteristically given up a lot of yards, a lot of big plays and a lot of points.

Saturday would be a good time for the Black Bears to turn that around.

Maine will play Albany at Alfond Stadium in Orono for Homecoming at noon Saturday with a chance to make a huge statement in the CAA. The Great Danes (4-1, 1-1 in CAA) are nationally-ranked – 17th in the Stats FCS poll; 19th in the FCS Coaches poll – and present another challenge for Maine’s defense, averaging 30.4 points per game.

At 2-3 and 1-1 in the CAA, Maine has a chance to keep pace with the leaders. But the defense will have to play much, much better.

Yes, Maine lost its two defensive ends from last season, one of whom (Trevor Bates) reached the NFL and was waived by the Colts on Thursday. But the Black Bears returned many members of a defense that ranked second in the CAA in rushing defense a year ago (110.8 yards), third in total defense (316.8 yards) and fourth in points allowed (19.2).

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This year? Teams have plowed through Maine. The Black Bears give up 206.8 rushing yards per game (ninth in the CAA), 410.8 total yards (10th, tied with Albany) and 30.4 points (10th).

“That is disappointing,” said Joe Harasymiak, Maine’s first-year head coach and a former defensive coordinator. “We take a lot of pride in that.”

Granted, Maine has faced some pretty potent offenses in its first five games, two against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents Connecticut and Toledo. And the Black Bears have faced the CAA’s two most potent running offenses, James Madison and Delaware.

But, as Harasymiak said on Wednesday, “I can’t keep giving that same excuse every week.”

The Black Bears insist they’re not that far off. But they have to eliminate the explosive plays they have allowed thus far.

Maine’s opponents have scored six touchdowns this year of at least 50 yards, another four of over 20. That cannot continue if the Black Bears hope to contend in the CAA.

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“We have to continue to work on that until we get better,” said Darius Greene, the senior defensive tackle.

So how do they fix the defense?

It really comes down to two things: tackling and communication, which have both been issues since the first game.

With tackling, the Black Bears are often in position to make a play yet cannot finish it. That began in the first game when Connecticut quarterback Bryant Shirreffs continually ducked away from, or shrugged off, would-be tacklers. He led UConn with 95 net rushing yards.

Against Bryant on Oct. 1, miscommunication led to a Bulldogs touchdown. When Bryant lined up, the Black Bears were obviously confused, with two defenders not sure who to cover on the play. Matt Sewall was uncovered as he caught an 18-yard TD pass for a 31-14 lead.

When the Black Bears are all on the same page, they can be as stingy as they’ve ever been. Just look at the second half of their 35-31 comeback victory over Bryant, when Maine forced four punts and intercepted a pass on the Bulldogs final five possessions.

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But when someone goes off script, the defense falters. Sometimes it’s just a little – on the first play of the game at Delaware last Saturday, a defensive end didn’t line up correctly and the Blue Hens’ Wes Hills ran for 18 yards. Sometimes it’s a lot, like when Hills broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 21.

“Two guys did the same job,” said Corey Hetherman, Maine’s defensive coordinator, of the miscommunication there.

But, he added, the Black Bears quickly fixed the problem. On Delaware’s next series, the Blue Hens ran the same play on first down and gained only 2 yards.

“Same call, same formation, same play,” said Hetherman. “The second time, we handled it with no problem. The coaches did a good job on the sidelines. They saw the problem, communicated it and fixed it before we got back on the field.”

Jason Matovu, the junior safety who is second on Maine in tackles, said the Black Bears work hard on their communication every day.

“Whenever we communicate, we’re unstoppable,” said Matovu. “When we don’t communicate, that’s when the big plays happen.”

Another way of turning the defense around is turning the ball over. Maine has forced just five turnovers in its five games, one in each game. On the other side of the field, Albany leads the nation in turnover ratio (plus-14), turnovers forced (19), interceptions (11) and fumble recoveries (eight). You want to know why Albany is 4-1? Take a look at those numbers.

With an improved offense, the Black Bears are close to becoming a dangerous team in the CAA. Now it’s time for the defense to take that next step.


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