Up next: Richmond

It's time. The big boys come to town Saturday.

Maine hosts No. 1 ranked Richmond at noon, in what is arguably their most formidable opponent yet this season. 

The Black Bears (3-3, 2-1 CAA) have a bye Oct. 24 then have a one-two punch of Massachusetts and James Madison after that. In short: a tough stretch.

About Richmond:

• The Spiders have won a school-record 14-consecutive games - a streak that ranks as the longest in the FCS and second-longest in all of college football. Florida has won 15 straight. 

• 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the CAA. Richmond leads the all-time series versus Maine 11-10 and has won two-straight against the Black Bears.

• Richmond is led by QB Eric Ward who is regarded as one of the top pro QB prospects in FCS football. He's thrown 9 TDs this year, completed 90 of 136 passes for 1,114 yards. He led a fourth quarter game-winning drive in a 21-17 win at No. 13 ranked JMU last week.

Quotable:

Said Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove:

"I think one of the most important things you see from them is in their two-deep. Of their top 24 guys, 17 are fifth-year seniors. Eight on offense. Seven on defense. And both the kicker and punter. They redshirt guys and put them in the system. First year you're in the weight room, on the scout team. It's a 'Here's how you do it.' They become an older more experienced team because of that growth process."