WHERE: Duane Stadium, North Andover, Mass.

WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday

TV/STREAMING: NESN+

ALL-TIME SERIES: Maine leads 1-0, with a 31-26 win in Orono in 2021.

KEY STAT: 632, the number of yards Maine allowed to Monmouth in last week’s 51-22 loss. It was the most yards allowed by the Black Bears since surrendering 705 in a 51-30 loss to Hofstra in 2000.

OUTLOOK: Coming off its worst defensive game in nearly a quarter-century, Maine went back to basics in practice this week, said John Costanza, a senior captain and defensive lineman. “All practices are hitting. We haven’t really let up at all. Coaches warned us, get your mind right because it’s going to be a physical practice,” Costanza said after Wednesday’s practice.

Improving team physicality is an imperative for the Black Bears, who allowed 1,160 yards in the last two games combined, losses to Montana State and Monmouth. In Merrimack, Maine faces a team playing its home opener and coming off an impressive 31-21 win at Bucknell. Playing more physically cannot be an added element of the game for Maine, Coach Jordan Stevens said; it has to be imbedded in the fundamentals. Maine is last in the Coastal Athletic Association in opponents’ third-down conversions allowed, surrendering a first down nearly 57% of the time on third down. Improving that means stopping Merrimack’s strong running game. The Warriors ran for 258 yards last week at Bucknell, with Jermaine Corbett gaining 166. Corbett has 328 yards rushing on the season, 10th among FCS backs. The Warriors have a strong receiver in Donovan Wadley (seven catches for 93 yards), and have used three quarterbacks this season. Ayden Pereira, who transferred to Merrimack from Maine this past winter, got the start at Bucknell, and was 11 of 15 for 147 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Holmes has 19 tackles to lead the Black Bears, who were unable to create any sustained pass rush against Monmouth.

Both of Merrimack’s losses came at FBS opponents, Air Force (21-6) and UConn (63-17). Getting off to a better start is a key for Maine, which fell behind by double digits in the first quarter of each of the last two games. This might be a game for Maine’s improved running game to carry the offense. The Warriors allow an average of 180 yards per game on the ground. Jaharie Martin leads the Black Bears with 138 yards rushing, while Tavion Banks and Brian Santana-Fis each have 93. Quarterback Carter Peevy has developed a connection with wideout Montigo Moss, who leads the Black Bears with 17 catches for 184 yards. The offense should get a lift with the return of tight end Cooper Heisey, a senior captain who missed two games with a shoulder injury. Safety Donte Williams leads the Warriors with 18 tackles. Nicholas Lenon has four sacks for Merrimack.

OF NOTE: Merrimack quarterback Pereira saw action in one game while at Maine, completing his one pass attempt for 13 yards last season against Stony Brook. This is the second straight week the Black Bears face one of their former quarterbacks. Derek Robertson threw for 390 yards and four touchdowns for Monmouth last week. … Maine is 14-2 against current or former members of the Northeast Conference, the league Merrimack belonged to before going independent this season. … Getting a lead is paramount for the Black Bears. Maine is 18-2 in its last 20 games in which it has taken the lead into the fourth quarter.