In 2002, the University of Maine football team defeated the University of New Hampshire 31-14. That was the last time the Black Bears defeated the Wildcats and also the last time Jack Cosgrove's squad advanced to the Football Championship Series playoffs.

UMaine looks to follow in the footsteps of the 2002 team when they battle UNH at Alfond Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the annual Battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket. The Colonial Athletic Association North Division crown and a possible playoff berth are both on the line.

After their sixth-straight win - a 37-7 throttling of the University of Rhode Island on Saturday - the No. 17 Black Bears now sit 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the CAA. UNH (8-2, 5-2) defeated the University of Massachusetts 52-21 over the weekend and are tied for first in the division with UMaine.

In recent years, Sean McDonnell's Wildcats have had their way with UMaine, winning five straight, including last year's 39-14 rout in Durham, N.H.

Despite UNH's domination over the past five years and all of the postseason implications associated with this rivalry game, Cosgrove has engrained in the minds of the UMaine players one thing: winning back the Brice-Cowell Musket.

"Coach already explained to us not to worry about the playoff berth and the North Division championship," junior wide receiver Landis Williams said. "Just think about the Musket … if we win this game, the rest of the things will handle themselves."

To win on Saturday, the Black Bears must contain an explosive, quick-strike offense led by sophomore quarterback R.J. Toman.

Stepping in for the graduated Ricky Santos, a former Walter Payton Award winner and All-American, Toman (193-for-281, 2483 yards, 25 touchdowns), leads the top offense (427.4 yards per game) in the CAA.

"I watched the film not too long ago, and he's got a rifle arm," senior linebacker Andrew Downey said. "It seems he picked up right where Ricky left off."

Toman's favorite targets include senior wide receiver Mike Boyle (53 receptions, 871 yards, 8 TD) and junior tight end Scott Sicko (39 rec., 469 yards, 7 TD).

Anchored by a solid offensive line, senior tailback Robert Simpson (124 carries, 665 yards, 6 TD) leads the running game.

Defensively, the Wildcats have been the team's Achilles' heel, often being bailed out by a high-powered offense. This season, UNH has only surrendered 22.6 points per game and despite only recording 12 sacks, they make up for it by forcing turnovers. They rank first in the conference in takeaways with 31, while UMaine follows with 26. Wildcat senior linebacker Matt Parent (81 tackles), the reigning CAA Defensive Player of the Week, leads the unit.

"I see their defense and our defense with a lot of similarities: high-motor, turnover-driven, pursuit to the ball and good tackling," Cosgrove said.

For UMaine, they will try to continue their recent success with the running game. Led by redshirt freshman H-back Jared Turcotte (90 car., 582 yards, 7 TD), who had three touchdowns on the ground against URI last weekend, the Black Bears hope to build on their six-game winning streak.

Junior Michael Brusko, a run-first quarterback, will be forced to throw the ball during the contest, as UNH will employ as many as eight or nine players in the box in an effort to stop the run.

Brusko, the most efficient passer in the CAA, has only thrown the ball 66 times since taking over for the injured Adam Farkes midway through the season. Brusko has only thrown one interception during that span and has thrown for seven touchdowns.

When Brusko throws the ball, he spreads it around, with junior wide receiver Landis Williams (20 rec., 294 yards, 5 TD) and sophomore wide receiver Tyrell Jones (21 rec., 334 yards, 4 TD), serving as the chief pass catchers on the outside. Turcotte (22 rec., 239 yards, 1 TD) and senior tailback Jhamal Fluellen (14 rec., 98 yards, 1 TD) serve as the top targets out of the backfield.

Defensively, the "Black Hole" held their opponent to single digits for the third time in the last four games.

In order to be successful, the second-rated pass rush in the conference, led by senior defensive end Jovan Belcher (6.5 sacks), must put pressure on Toman.

Downey (75 tackles) and senior linebacker Sean Wasson (71) lead the contingent in the middle.

The secondary has matured nicely after some early-season injuries, with senior free safety Lamir Whetstone (5 interceptions) providing the leadership.

Saturday will also mark the last time the Black Bear seniors play at Alfond Stadium, as it is Senior Day. With a loss, their careers will probably be over, but with a win they could extend their playing careers.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon. The game will not be televised.

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