Bcbc55: I believe the rule about limitations vs. non-D1 schools only applies for regular-season games.
Also, there are just no D-2 schools close by.
Bentley would have to make a 250-mile trip, Stonehill a 265-mile trip.
No schools travel that far for games without an overnight stay. So, the trips become cost prohibited.
I checked Bentley's schedule. It doesn't play D1 opponents. I doubt many, if any, D2 schools play D1 opponents.
Much easier for Machias (95 miles away) and Presque Isle (150 miles away) to make the trip.
That's why Maine plays those schools rather than taking on D2 programs from farther away.
The other thing is that Maine struggles to get ANY team to come to Bangor for non-league contests.
Were it not for the games against the two D3 schools, Maine would have had just two Non-league home games.
Easy to say avoid playing the D3 programs. Harder to come up with a solution.