BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK

Staff Writer

It’s a chicken or the egg argument. Is the Colby College defense last in the New England Small College Athletic Conference in points allowed because it’s faced powerful offenses in Trinity and Middlebury, or are the Bantams and Panthers the top two scoring teams in the league because they’ve faced Colby?

Colby head coach Ed Mestieri feels his team just needs to clean up a few things.

“You could pick any one of a handful of plays that weren’t made that could have made the difference in this game going right down to the end,” Mestieri said.

Turnover margin has been a problem for the Mules in recent years, and through two games, Colby is minus-2 in that category. Colby had a good week of practice, and is ready to play Wesleyan (1-1), Mestieri said, adding that the 0-2 start hasn’t dampened the team’s commitment to improving.

“That’s what this game’s all about. You always talk about this game instilling life-lasting values, and it does, because there’s a lot invested in this,” Mestieri said. “A lot of time, a lot of commitment. When things don’t go your way, it’s easy to get down, but you can’t.”

After facing a strong passing attack at Middlebury last week, the Mules take on a team that features a run-heavy offense in Wesleyan. The Cardinals lead the NESCAC with 231.5 rushing yards per game.

“They rely heavily on running the football with a little play action pass mixed in. They rarely drop back and throw the football. They’re big, they’re physical and they’re going to try and jam it down our throats all day long,” Mestieri said.

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Cony High grad Luke Duncklee will see time at halfback again this week for the Mules.

Because of injuries, Duncklee stepped up and had six carries for 73 yards last week at Middlebury. A freshman, Duncklee is listed as a quarterback on Colby’s roster, but Mestieri has already used the newcomer in other spots in the offense, and as a kick returner.

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Maine Maritime Academy lost a tough divisional game at Worcester State last week, and the Mariners are on the road again this week, taking on Westfield State.

Worcester State did what few opponents have been able in recent years, slow down Maine Maritime’s running attack. While MMA gained 337 yards rushing, the Mariners went into the game averaging close to 380 yards per game. The Mariners (3-1, 1-1 New England Football Conference) lost a pair of fumbles in the game, and were just 5 of 15 converting third downs.

Westfield forced four turnovers in a win at Bridgewater State last week, including a pair of interceptions in the end zone.

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Husson makes the longest trip in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference this weekend, heading from Bangor to Washington, D.C. to play Gallaudet.

Gallaudet (2-2, 1-0 ECFC) is coming off an incredible 48-40 win over Anna Maria. Trailing 34-13 with just under 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Bison rallied to tie the game with 42 seconds left, then won in triple overtime.

The Eagles (0-4, 0-1) lost a 20-14 overtime game to Becker in their conference opener last week. Although it was a loss, it was a game Husson can build on. The Eagles had three interceptions, and held Becker to 130 yards in the second half and overtime.

Husson’s Chris Dalecki is tied for the conference lead with three sacks.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com