ROCHESTER - The Glove Cities Colonials have lost three straight, but each of them has been by a touchdown or less.

At 5 p.m. today in Rochester, they have a chance to get one back as they travel to play the Western N.Y. Cougars (2-2), who beat them 26-18 in Week 2 of the North American Football League schedule.

"We let it get away from us," Colonials coach Matt Capano said. "We know a lot more about them now. We know they have a fast quarterback who can throw the ball well. We'll be on top of things and hopefully not let them get out and around the ends."

That's the defensive game plan for the Colonials (1-3) this week - limit the damage done by Cougars quarterback Jessie Higgins. Capano said he's athletic and can get around the ends pretty well.

The Cougars have been limited to six points in each of their last two games - against Southern Tier and Glens Falls. They have stayed in games because they have yet to allow more than the 18 points posted by Glove Cities.

In the Week 2 loss, the Colonials took an early 12-0 lead but watched it slip away on a few mistakes. The first big mistake was miscommunication in the defensive backfield that led to a long Western touchdown pass. Higgins has thrown six touchdowns and two interceptions this season and carried the ball nine times for an average of 8.2 yards. His favorite targets through the air have been Curtis Clark and Anthony Flowers.

The other costly Colonials mistake was a shotgun snap that sailed over Glove Cities quarterback Justin Kastner, which was recovered by Western for a touchdown.

"Knowing if we didn't make a couple mistakes, we could have won the game, I think our guys will be more focused this time," Capano said. We'll definitely be more prepared."

So too, will the Cougars.

Capano said he expects the Cougars to key on Kastner, who beat the Western defense for two early long touchdowns to Brian Baldwin and Jason Quinn.

"Maybe we run more this week," Capano said. "Last week [against Tri-County], we ran a little more and Chad Smith had a touchdown. He looked pretty good."

Last week, the Colonials came out slow and trailed 33-12 with about seven minutes to play, then put up 15 quick points before losing 33-27.

Today's long road trip is complicated by an earlier start time than usual. The field on which the game was to take place was double-booked, leaving the Cougars scrambling to find another field to play on. They had to settle for a 5 p.m. start time instead of the usual 7:30, which will be a thorn in the Colonials' side.

Because of the start time, the Colonials are leaving town at 12:30 p.m., before some of the players can get out of work. Capano said he hopes to bring at least 25-30 players.

In addition to personnel issues brought on by the early start, the Colonials will be without wide receiver Brian Baldwin (bruised ribs) and linebacker Mike Emrick (hamstring), though both are anticipated to play next week in a home game against Southern Tier.

Tonight's game is featured on the Web site www.nafl.org as the Game of the Week in the East with the Cougars favored by six points.

Capano said after coming close to a win each of the last three weeks, getting one back tonight against one of those three teams could do wonders for a 1-3 team that has come so close to being 4-0.

"I think that would help tremendously," he said. "I think it would make these guys come to practice and work even harder, hopefully preparing us to win next week at home, too."