BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK

Staff Writer

Throughout this week of practice, the Colby College football team talked about finishing strong. But that is nothing new and wasn't a topic brought up in the wake of Bates' fourth quarter rally at Colby on Saturday, head coach Ed Mestieri said. Ahead by 21 points with six minutes remaining, Colby had to hold off the Bobcats with a goal line stand in the final minute to preserve a 34-27 win.

"We always talk about finishing. It's a part of everything we do," Mestieri said. "Finish every play. Finish every drill. Finish every lift. We did finish at the end (of Saturday's game) when we had to."

The Mules play their final home game of the season Saturday, against Tufts. The Jumbos have struggled offensively this season and average just 9.3 points per game. Defensively, Tufts is strong, however, allowing just 14.8 points per game.

"They're struggling to score and they have got a bunch of new guys on offense, but they're dangerous. You can see signs of them putting it together," Mestieri said. "The strength of their team is defense. That's always the case with them."

Colby is third in Division III in rushing defense (46.83 yards per game).

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Maine Maritime Academy can clinch a spot in the New England Football Conference championship game with a win at Fitchburg State on Saturday. The Mariners are 5-1 in Bogan Division play, 7-1 overall. If Maine Maritime loses and Bridgewater State (4-2 in Bogan play) wins, then Bridgewater, which beat MMA earlier this season, wins the tiebreaker.

Curry already clinched the NEFC's Boyd Division title, and will play in the conference championship next week. The winner of that game earns a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Last season, Plymouth State beat MMA in the conference final.

The Mariners led the nation in rushing before rushing for a Division III record 730 yard last week in a 76-49 win at Coast Guard. MMA averages 443.63 yards per game on the ground, 65 yards more per game than Springfield.

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Husson ends its season Saturday at home against Becker. The Eagles are 3-5, 2-3 in Eastern Collegiate Football Conference play.

Lawrence graduate Jack Hersom has 522 passing yards for the Eagles. His brothers, Tom and Mike Hersom, have two and one interceptions, respectively.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com