#7 Maine at #2 Weber State
Maine’s defense did the bend but don’t break mentality to a “T” against Jacksonville State. They allowed the Gamecocks almost 500 yards of offense, but forced a couple turnovers in the biggest moments and shut them down on 3rd down, converting just 1 of 14. Offensively, quarterback Chris Ferguson had a field day, throwing five touchdown passes. Running back Ramon Jefferson had 186 yards and two scores on the ground. The Black Bears jumped out to a 42-14 halftime lead and never looked back.
Quarterback play ruled the day when Weber State defended the home turf and sent Southeast Missouri State home with a 48-23 loss. Weber State’s Jake Constantine threw four touchdown passes, all coming in the second quarter, and ran in another. The Wildcat defense recorded four interceptions, taking one to the house. The Redhawks did mount a comeback in the fourth, but a Doug Lloyd touchdown run and the aforementioned pick-six sealed the deal.
If Maine is going to make the FCS Championship, they’re facing some incredible frequent flyer miles to do it. One thing that doesn’t hurt the Black Bears is that the weather in Ogden, Utah will be nothing different than they could see at home. The elevation might be a different story, not that it’s the highest place in FCS to play. For a team that focuses on defense like Weber State does, the 23 points they gave up to SEMO might seem concerning. Add to that they’re hosting a team who just stuck double nickels (55) on a good JSU team. Both teams look like they played their best offense in the Second Round and both defenses turned over their opponents like vendors of Danish pastries. Gonna go with the slightest edge to the home team here.
Prediction: Weber State 27, Maine 20
