When: Saturday, 2 p.m.

Where: Sabine Field, Northfield, Vt.

Records: Coast Guard 2-1 overall, 0-0 NEWMAC; Norwich 0-3 overall, 0-0.

Players to watch: Coast Guard, QB Ethan Goldcamp (72-for-126, 753 yards, 4 TDs, 6 INTs), RB Cam Cecchini (41 carries, 170 yards, 2 TDs), WR Justin Moffatt (14 catches, 182 yards, 2 TDs), WR Cody Bain (15 catches, 152 yards, 2 TDs), WR Chip Crowley (7 catches, 118 yards), DT Jack Brandt (15 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks), DT Tommy Jones (13 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks), LB Titus Creamer 18 tackles, 3 sacks), DB Patrick Crowley (18 tackles, 2 INTs).

Norwich, QB Philippe Bazinet (13-for-44, 150 yards, 1 TDs, 3 INTs; 39 carries, 196 yards), RB Connor Bourque (33 carries, 198 yards, 3 TDs), WR Tristan Weathers (6 catches, 150 yards, 1 TD), WR Brandon Mynter (7 catches, 90 yards), LB Jonathan Moltimer (27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss), DB Michael Corinna (21 tackles).

Analysis: Both teams begin the inaugural New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference football season, but, more than that Coast Guard and Norwich renew a rivalry that began in 1929 and was formerly played annually for a trophy known as "The Mug." "The league part is taking a back seat to the part where it's Norwich; it's a Norwich thing," Coast Guard coach Bill George said. The teams played 71 times — Coast Guard leads the series 38-32-1 — before conference realignment separated the two. Coast Guard won the last meeting 30-12 in 2005. "The Mug" was first presented in 1931 by The Day's publisher, Theodore Bodenwein, with hope that "this ancient cup, already more than 100 years old, will stand as an emblem of friendly rivalry for many decades to come." Said Coast Guard freshman defensive back Colby Coco: "I know this is a big rivalry game. That brings out the best football in people." ... Coast Guard's defense highlighted last week's 13-0 victory over Nichols, as the Bears finished with six sacks and three interceptions, including picks by Mike Goldsworthy in his first career start and Coco in his first career game. Coast Guard held Nichols to minus-18 yards offense in the fourth quarter on the way to the shutout. The Bears will have to stop the run-based Norwich offense, which is averaging 191.3 rushing yards per game. "I think we just have to get in a groove," Goldsworthy said. "Get off the field on third downs. We have to play our assignments. If someone bites on the dive, it could go 60 yards down field." Goldsworthy said the Bears' defense, which had to overcome several injuries last week, comes down to heart and toughness. "We're outmatched in size every game," Goldsworthy said. "I don't think we're ever outmatched in toughness." ... On offense, Coast Guard quarterback Ethan Goldcamp leads the NEWMAC with 251 passing yards per game, but threw four interceptions last week in a six-turnover week for the Bears. "I don't want to get too carried away with it," George said of the interceptions by Goldcamp, in his first season as starter. "We're moving the ball. We're driving the ball. We're gaining yards. Because he's the quarterback, he gets noticed when he plays. You don't notice guys running the wrong routes, you don't see the left tackle or what else is off." ... Coast Guard comes to the NEWMAC from the New England Football Conference. Norwich formerly played in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference. Football becomes the league's 20th sport.