Coming off a welcome respite from a grinding, physically punishing schedule, the University of Maine hopes to make a strong push in the final quarter of its season beginning Saturday when it faces the University of Massachusetts (3:30 p.m., Comcast Sports New England).

After defeating Rhode Island, 28-23, on Oct. 23, the Black Bears enjoyed a much-needed bye week last week. Head coach Jack Cosgrove gave his team several extra days off to help them recover from eight straight weeks of physical football against the ninth-most difficult schedule in the FCS.

“I think that certainly helped us,” he said. “(At practice this week) we had a lot more guys in a more normal state of mind and physical state.”

UMass (5-3, 3-2 CAA) is ranked 15th in the nation and is Maine’s fifth Top-15 opponent in the last six games. The Black Bears (3-5, 2-3) are at the end of a stretch of three straight road games.

The win over Rhode Island was marked by contributions by several new faces pressed into service due to a number of injuries on the roster. Most notable was the performance of freshman running back Terrel Walker, who rushed four times for 99 yards, including an 86-yard run for a touchdown, while helping to fill the void left the absence of running back Jared Turcotte.

The Black Bears were also missing starters Tyrell Jones at wide receiver, Dom Cusano at cornerback and Kevin Phanor at defensive tackle, as well as special teams standout and reserve linebacker Levi Ervin.

In addition to Walker, sophomore defensive back Darlos James, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Michael Cole and sophomore wide receiver Maurice McDonald saw increased playing time. Cosgrove was pleased with how the underclassmen performed.

“That can only be a bonus, especially if it’s a younger player, a redshirt freshman or a sophomore who’s asked to step in there for a senior or a junior,” Cosgrove said. “I think it only adds to their confidence and it adds to yours as a coach in terms of your depth chart, knowing if this doesn’t work out, you’ve got this guy to go to. Let’s get him more reps during the week, let’s advance him, let’s get him more involved in the plan.”

Maine’s defensive plan for Saturday will involved controlling UMass running back Jonathan Hernandez, who is second in the CAA averaging 85.4 yards per game rushing. The junior is a major reason the Minutemen lead the CAA and rank eighth in the nation in time of possession.

UMass senior QB Kyle Havens and the passing game have become a more formidable part of the offense in recent weeks. Havens threw for a school record 450 yards in their 37-13 loss to UNH two weeks ago, then led UMass to a 21-14 comeback victory over James Madison last week with a pair of short touchdown passes.