He tries to keep the thought from entering his mind, but Maine senior defensive tackle Kevin Phanor knows Saturday could be his final football game.
If Maine cannot overcome Appalachian State's deep, athletic roster and strong home-field advantage in the second round of the FCS playoffs (2 p.m., ESPN3, ESPN Gameplan), Phanor will play his last game today in Boone, North Carolina.
"The excitement is more just knowing this could be your last game," said Phanor. "You have to put it all on the table, because every week can be your last. It's more of a nervous excitement, because there's always that extra bit of denial where you try to put it off and think this can't be it."
Maine has lost two out of three entering the postseason, but both losses came to playoff teams. The Black Bears will need to limit Appalachian State's big-play offense that averages 30.2 points and 400.7 yards per game on Saturday.
Offensively, Maine will rely heavily on running back Pushaun Brown (193 carries, 944 yards, 10 TDs) and quarterback Warren Smith (238-for-370, 2,643 yds., 17 TDs, 10 INTs).
Both teams received byes in the first round.