Colby’s opponent this week is Tufts, a team that has lost 21-consecutive games, dating back to the second week of the 2010 season. That makes the Jumbos (0-6) a dangerous team, Colby head coach Jonathan Michaeles said.

“I think they see us as an opportunity to get one,” Michaeles said. “They see us as a team that’s only one game better than they are at this point in the season, a team that’s coming off of a loss, and what better weekend for them to get on track and put an end to their streak?”

Colby dropped to 1-5 with last week’s 31-6 loss to rival Bates. With two games remaining, the Mules are showing their resiliency, Michaeles said.

“At a point where it might have been easy for people to be down after a loss, a disappointing loss, these guys have come back this week, they’re watching more film,” Michaeles said. “They’re spending their free time in the office, trying to get to know their opponents even better. It could have gone one of two ways, and they chose to pick themselves right up and continue to get better.”

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Traditionally, the trip to Tufts every other year is one of the favorite road trip of the season for the Mules. With a lot of Colby alumni in the Boston area, the Mules can count on a good showing of fan support, and enjoy catching up with old friends and former teammates after the game.

“We’ve gotten emails all week. People are flying in from Georgia, Ohio, coming up from New York. It’s just real exciting,” Michaeles said. “It’s fun for these guys because they see a lot of familiar faces and know they have a great deal of support in that area. It’s just a great game.”

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Bates can win its first outright Colby-Bates-Bowdoin championship since 2002 with a victory at Bowdoin on Saturday.

Bates beat Colby last week. If Bowdoin wins this week, the Polar Bears can claim the title with a win at Colby on Nov. 10. A Bowdoin win this week, coupled with a Colby win in the season finale, would leave the series in a three-way tie for the second consecutive season and the third time in four years.

Quarterback Trevor Smith leads a strong Bates (3-3) running game with 426 yards. Patrick George has 360 yards for the Bobcats, which are second in the New England Small College Athletic Conference in rushing, with 225 yards per game.

Bowdoin (1-5) ranks ninth out of 10 teams in scoring in the league, averaging 13.7 points per game. Since missing the first two games of the season, Bowdoin running back Zach Donnarumma averages 113.8 yards per game on the ground.

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Coming off a 17-14 win over SUNY-Maritime, Husson now has to contend with one of the top passing teams in the country when it hosts Castleton State on Saturday.

The Spartans (6-2, 5-0 Eastern Collegiate Football Conference) are ranked second in Division III in passing offense, at 377.3 yards per game. Castleton is ranked 32nd nationally in total offense, at 449.5 yards per game.

Castleton quarterback Shane Brozowski ranks third in Division III in total offense (364.6 ypg). His favorite receiver, Brandon Boyle, leads the nation in receiving yards, with 141 yards per game.

Husson (2-6, 1-4) defensive lineman Ernest Wiggins is ranked eighth nationally in tackles for a loss, with 1.81 per game.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com