WHERE: Wildcat Stadium, Durham, N.H.

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: New Hampshire leads, 54-43-8

LAST MEETING: Nov. 19, 2016, won by New Hampshire, 24-21

STREAMING: College Sports Live (collegesportslive.com); no TV.

WHEN MAINE HAS THE BALL: With redshirt freshman Chris Ferguson making his first college start, look for the Black Bears to try to establish the run first against UNH. That means a heavy dose of Josh Mack (744 rushing years in 2016), Joe Fitzpatrick and Nigel Beckford behind an offensive line that returns four of its five starters, led by left tackle Jamil Demby, an all-CAA preseason pick. They’ll go against an interior UNH defense led by big tackles Rick Holt (6-foot-4, 294 pounds) and Ryan Sosnak (6-2, 288). Ferguson has talented receivers in Jaleel Reed, Earnest Edwards, Jared Osumah and Jaquan Blair. The Black Bears will take some deep shots against New Hampshire’s talented secondary.

WHEN NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS THE BALL: The Wildcats have a dangerous quarterback in Trevor Knight, a junior who is a dual threat. He rushed for 396 yards last year and four touchdowns and threw for 1,714 and 14 TDs. Maine has to be able to contain him and keep him from getting outside the pocket. He has exceptional receivers in Malik Love (59 catches, 520 yards), Neil O’Connor (58 for 834 and six touchdowns) and Rory Donovan (27 for 348). They will test Maine’s talented and experienced secondary, led by cornerbacks Najee Goode and Manny Paterson. Donald Goodrich, a York native who played at Cheverus, will be a key factor in UNH’s running attack.

KEY STAT: New Hampshire has won seven consecutive games against Maine and 14 of the last 15. Maine has not won a game in Durham since 2001. However, Maine defeated UNH the last time the teams met in a season opener (27-24 in 1992).

OUTLOOK: Expect the Wildcats to put early pressure on Ferguson to try to rattle him. The key for Maine will be its offensive line, which allowed only 14 sacks last season. If Maine has any success running the ball, Ferguson will have a much better chance of getting the ball downfield to his playmakers. Defensively, Maine has to take away UNH run game. That’s going to put a lot of pressure on young defensive linemen Charles Mitchell, Kayon Whitaker and Alejandro Oregon. Maine’s linebackers, other than all-CAA preseason pick Sterling Sheffield, are also young, with sophomore Taji Lowe and redshirt freshman Jaron Grayer. Look for the Wildcats to go after them. Maine wants to force UNH to throw against its secondary, which is returning everyone and should be the strength of the defense. Given that it’s the season opener, the opponents are a bit of a mystery to each other. As UNH Coach Sean McDonnell said, “You’ve got to rely on what you’ve seen and what they’ve done before.” And then make in-game adjustments. Whoever does that best will come out on top.

OF NOTE: Maine will be missing five players serving suspensions. Wide receiver Micah Wright and defensive lineman Uchenna Egwuonwu are unable to play while being investigated by the Student Conduct Office in the Division of Student Life. In addition, linebacker Spencer Carey, running back Darian Davis-Ray and linebacker Zack Hume have been suspended for the game for a violation of the Student-Athletes Code of Conduct.

– Mike Lowe