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Saturday, September 4, 2004
Maine's first test certainly a big one
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||||||||||
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ORONO — Quarterback Ron Whitcomb surely remembers his first game of college football. It was the season opener last year. Alfond Stadium was near capacity. His team lost 30-20 to Montana, a perennial NCAA Division I-AA powerhouse. Second chance? Maine opens the 2004 season against Montana today at 3:05 p.m. at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula. It is the first of four formidable opponents that load the front end of Maine's schedule: Montana, Northern Colorado, Mississippi State and Delaware. And it is the first game of a highly anticipated 2004 season for the Black Bears. "I'm more confident going into this game," said Whitcomb, now a sophomore. "Last year I came out and we had a bunch of turnovers our first four games. Then we were the lowest in (the Atlantic 10). "We feel it in the air. You can feel the vibe that Montana is coming." After three weeks of preseason preparation, Maine began focusing on Montana last week. The Grizzlies, ranked No. 3 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll, return 13 starters and are fresh off their 11th straight season of advancing to the Division I-AA playoffs. Quarterback Craig Ochs, who missed preseason scrimmages with a sprained right thumb, has been at practice since Tuesday and is expected to start today, The Associated Press reported. "When the time was right, we said we'd bring Montana into focus," Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove said. "(The Black Bears) are excited about the first game. We've been getting them a taste of Montana, video and practice time, going over what they'll do in coverage and their passing game." Maine returns 15 starters and has been ranked as high as No. 2 in Division I-AA preseason polls. The Black Bears are No. 13 in the ESPN/USA Today poll. The Maine offense is led by senior Marcus Williams, who has twice rushed for 1,000-plus yards in a season, receivers Christian Pereira, Ryan Waller and Kevin McMahan, Whitcomb and line- man Mike Leconte. Cosgrove said his team's offense won't look much different than last season - a mix of running and passing. Defensively, Cosgrove believes the team is better than last year. That unit is led by all-conference tackle Pat Pa'u, safety Brandon McGowan, linebacker Jermaine Walker and end Marcus Walton. Defensive backs Devon Goree and Jarrod Gomes both rejoin the lineup after missing last season with injuries. "Defensively, I feel this is the fastest and most athletic team we've had," Cosgrove said. "We've very deep and fast at linebacker and secondary." Montana, which finished in a three-way tie for the Big Sky championship last fall, has lost all-conference tackles Dylan McFarland and Jon Skinner, center Derek Decker, receiver Dane Oliver and all-league fullback Brad Eston. The Grizzlies return running backs Justin Green, Lex Hilliard and JR Waller. Maine's loss to Montana last year can be traced to carelessness with the football - three fumbles lost and a Whitcomb interception - and several special teams breakdowns. Montana's Levander Segars returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. Montana Coach Bobby Hauck expects a difficult game this time. "I think they're a very good football team," Hauck told The Associated Press. "We were very fortunate to beat them a year ago." Maine center Ben Lazarski, who missed all of 2003 with an injury, believes his team is ready. "We've done a great job and are more prepared (for Montana)," Lazarski said. "The goal is to have great ball security. If we can hold on to the ball, we can win. Everything else will fall into place." And Williams, who leads a cast of 16 seniors, said his team doesn't want to waste a single moment. "This year is very important to us," Williams said. "When you're younger, you think 'I've got time.' Last year we came in with high hopes; 7-5 was a shock to us, frustrating. "We've come back hungry." Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:
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