Analysis: Umaine Football Team Should Contend For Fcs Spring Playoff Berth

It has been 16 months since the University of Maine football team last played a game. With the 2020 fall season pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Bears’ last outing was a 28-10 loss to Colonial Athletic Association rival New Hampshire on Nov. 23, 2019 to cap a 6-6 season, 4-4 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Ten players from that 6-5 team who started that game, including six on offense, are expected to play in Saturday’s noon spring season opener at the University of Delaware in Newark. CAA teams await a six-game schedule for the chance to earn one of 16 spots in the pared-down, 16-team Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The offensive line, which averages 311 pounds from tackle to tackle, has three returning starters in left tackle Tyler Royal, left guard Matthias Staalsoe and center Michael Gerace.