Maine Football suffers dissapointing 3 - 0 loss in opener

MAINE PLAYED TOUGH DEFENSE ALL NIGHT, BUT THE OFFENSE STOOD STILL

GAME STORY

"As disappointing...a performance..as I've (seen since I've) been around here." Those post game words from Jack Cosgrove, currently in his 19th season as Head Football Coach at Maine. Tough to argue, Maine dropped its home opener 3 - 0 to the Albany Great Danes.

After a much publicized QB battle in training camp, Coach Cosgrove had much confidence in his decision to start JR QB Warren Smith. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for Smith to start hearing murmurs from the stands. Smith planted his 1st throw in the arms of Albany Safety Jake Ciccarello.

Things didn't improve much after that, as throw number two was well short of a wide open Derek Buttles. Smith finished the 1st Half at 5 - 13 for 49 yrds and 1 interception.

The only bright side of the offense for the 1st Half was returning RB Jared Turcotte. Turcotte missed the entire season last year with a sports hernia. The Turcotte of old showed up, getting those tough, physical yards between the tackles. Turcotte's highlights of the half were two back to back runs in the 1st quarter, one for 6 yards and one for 12, getting Maine as close as they would get to the Albany goal line in the 1st Half. The drive stalled 5 plays later at the Albany 47.

The only score of the half was a field goal by Albany off Smith's interception.

Coach Cosgrove was uncharacteristically quick to pull the plug on Warren Smith in favor of Cape Elizabeth's Chris Triester. Cosgrove said "What did it take me (Chris) five seconds, to get to you at halftime?" Triester took over for Smith the rest of the way.

Things started substantially better for Maine in the 2nd Half, Turcotte broke a game long 21 yrd run to the Maine 46. Unfortunately on the next play, the stout Albany defense forced Turcotte to couch up the ball. Albany's Ocieka Bakou recovered the Turcotte fumble for Albany.

Maine dodged a huge bullet after the fumble, as Albany drove all the way to the Maine 6 yard line, couching up a fumble of their own for the turnover. Maine's Donte Dennis recovered for Maine.

Turcotte got Maine the deepest they would get in the 3rd, with 6 consecutive runs for a total of 21 yards to the Albany 35. Unfortunately, Chris Triester got stuffed 1 yrd short of the 1st down by Albany LB Raymond Dorcely.

The 4th Quarter was not much better for Maine. Not only did Maine not score, they may have lost Jared Turcotte. Turcotte was injured on a 3rd and 9 play at the Albany 30. Turcotte tried to turn the corner on Maine'\s side, but was blasted by Albany's Kareem Cooper. Coach Cosgrove said Turcotte took a shot right below his right side rib cage, but was uncertain to the severity and exact nature of the injury. Triester was stuffed on the next play as Maine turned the ball over on downs.

That was as close as Maine would get to scoring the rest of the way.

Triester did not fare much better, going 7 for 17 for 63 yards.

Maine travels to Monmouth next Saturday.


COACH COSGROVE POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Maine Football Opener LIVE BLOG!

3 BLACK BEARS NAMED PRE SEASON ALL AMERICAN #BlackBearFB

University of Maine football standouts Steven Barker, Mark Masterson and Jared Turcotte have been named to the Consensus Draft Services 2010 Pre-season All-American Team. Masterson and Turcotte were Second Team selections while Barker
was an Honorable Mention choice.

Masterson, a senior linebacker from Williamstown, N.J., missed all but two games last season due to injury, but will be the anchor of a talented corps of linebackers this season. He had a terrific 2008 campaign where he notched 68 tackles, including
3.5 for loss to go with 2.0 sacks. Masterson also had seven pass break-ups to go with two fumble recoveries and an interception. He was named to the 2009 Pre-season All-American Team as well.

Turcotte, a junior running back from Lewiston, Maine, missed last season due to injury after having a great 2008 season and was named First Team All-CAA as well as Second Team All-American by the Sporting News. He rushed for 625 yards and seven
touchdowns while catching 25 passes for 285 yards and a score. Turcotte was also a 2009 Pre-season First Team All-American by the Sporting News and a 2009 Pre-season All-CAA selection.

Barker, a senior from Teaneck, N.J.,  started all 11 games last season for the Black Bears at defensive back. He was an All-CAA Third Team selection in 2009 after notching 48 tackles, including 2.0 for loss with 10 pass break-ups and three
interceptions.

The Black Bears begin play on Thursday, Sept. 2 when they host the Albany Great Danes at Alfond Stadium. Season tickets are available now, and can be purchased by calling the ticket office at (207) 581-2327.


UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

UMaine O-Lineman Tyler Eastman joins Belcher in KC #BlackBearsFB #chiefs

According to the National Football Post, University of Maine Offensive Lineman Tyler Eastman joins former teammate Jovan Belcher in Kansas City.

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE WEEKEND

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR OUR UNIVERSITY OF MAINE WEEKEND

• BILL DODGE AUTO GROUP
• C5 SPORTS & PERFORMANCE
• MESSER TRUCK EQUIPMENT
• APEX HOCKEY TRAINING
• MBR.ORG

MAINE FOOTBALL PHOTOS

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INTERVIEWSUNIVERSITY OF MAINE ASSISTANT AD PAT MCBRIDE WCSH 6 & WLBZ 2’S JOHN SMIST VIDEOS LINK HERE LIVE BLOG REPLAYSMAINE HOCKEY VS MICHIGAN ST FRIDAY NIGHTMAINE FOOTBALL VS RICHMOND SATURDAYMAINE HOCKEY VS MICHIGAM ST SATURDAY NIGHT BIG JAB WEEKEND WARM UP SHOW

MONDAY QUICK LINKS

• The University of Maine had a huge weekend. The Men’s Hockey Team split a series against Michigan St and the Football team dropped a hard fought game to FCS Champion Richmond. Check out some media from the weekend and again thanks to our sponsors….Bill Dodge Auto Group, C5 Sports and Performance, Messer Truck Equipment, MBR.ORG and Apex Hockey Training.
• Your Maine High School Scores HERE at MBR.ORG
• The Portland Pirates got blasted by the Providence Bruins 7 – 2 Sunday in Providence.
• The Lewiston MAINEiacs had a big weekend at home, check them out HERE.
• More parental violence at youth sports in Massachusetts.
• UConn’s DB Jasper Howard killed Sunday, officials investigating.
• The Boston Celtics took care of the Toronto Raptors in pre-season action 101 – 82.
• The Boston Bruins trade Chuck Kobesew to the Minnesota Wild. In return, the Bruins received Minnesota’s 2011 second-round pick, the rights to recent fourth-round selection Alexander Fallstrom, and 28-year-old depth forward Craig Weller.
• Bash of the Titans..that is why we have Ian Rapoport on every Saturday the Patriots are home! The New England Patriots fall 2 TD short of the NFL shutout record in the 59 – 0 win over the Tennessee Titans. Rapoport also reports on Adalius Thomas as a healthy scratch yesterday.

MAINE HEAD COACH JACK COSGROVE

HEAD COACH JACK COSGROVE TALKS WITH THE PM JAB'S CHRIS SEDENKA ABOUT THE GAME VS SYRACUSE

SUNDAY QUICK LINKS

THE SENIOR LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES IN BANGOR

• Former University of Maine CAA Defensive Player of the Year, Jovan Belcher, saw his 1st action in pre season for the Kansas City Chiefs. Belcher has 4 solo tackles, which put him tied for 2nd on the team in the Chiefs 16 – 10 loss to the Houston Texans.
• The Senior Little League World Series gets going in Bangor.
• Tim Brackett takes home the checkers at Oxford Plains Speedway Saturday Night.
• The Portland Sea Dogs dropped a tough 4 – 3 tilt against the Bowie BaySox.
• Maine Black Bear hockey player Nick Payson released from team after Bar Harbor incident.
• Brad Penny loses another game, this time to the Texas Rangers. The Sox lost 7 – 2.

THURSDAY QUICK LINKS

Jerry Remy back in the booth for an inning last night.

• The University of Maine Football team had media day yesterday, check out the audio. Here is the Bangor Daily News Story.
• Jerry Remy visited Fenway Park last night and talked about his Lung Cancer and Depression.
• The Red Sox bats come back to life, blasting the Detroit Tigers 8 – 2.
• The Sea Dogs rebounded with a big win in Altoona.
  

Maine Football #15 in Pre Season Poll

The University of Maine Football Team has been ranked 15th in the Any Given Saturday FCS Pre Season Poll. Here is the Top 15

1. Richmond (59), 2338

2. Appalachian State (20), 2292

3. Montana (5), 2154

4. Villanova (11), 2152

5. Northern Iowa (2), 2011

6. James Madison (1), 1746

7. Southern Illinois, 1703

8. New Hampshire, 1695

9. Weber State, 1692

10. Elon, 1398

11. Wofford, 1326

12. Cal Poly, 1159

13. William & Mary, 1105

14. Central Arkansas, 1034

15. Maine, 841

THURSDAY MORNING QUICK HITTERS

• The Maine Black Bears Baseball team had little trouble finishing off Holy Cross today in Sanford 10 - 4.
• The Boston Red Sox went extra innings again, beating the Cleveland Indians 6 - 5 in 10 innings. Jonathan Van Every hit his 1st Major League HR for the game winning hit in the Top of the 10th
• The University of Maine Football Team released it's schedule for the 2009 season.
• Today we will be speaking with Colby graduate and current Baltimore Ravens Director of Player Personnel Eric DeCosta and UMaine quarterback Mike Brusko. Audio will be posted as soon as possible after each.
  

Pro Day at Maine!

Jovan Belcher

Pro Day at The University of Maine is over. Scouts got a chance to take a look at Maine's top football prospects. Working out for NFL, AF2 and other scouts were Jovan Belcher, Chris Arnao, Andrew Downey, Ryan Canary, Jhamal Fluellen, Lionel Nixon, Lamir Whetstone and punter Kash Kiefer.

Here is some audio and video from Pro Day!

Linebacker Andrew Downey

Coach Jack Cosgrove on Maine's Pro Day

Jovan Belcher on his performance.

Maine Offensive Lineman Christopher Arnao

Jhamal Fluellen on hos Pro Day performance.

Maine Linebacker Andrew Downey.

Punter Kash Keifer on his future and Pro Day.

Pro Day at Maine!

Jovan Belcher

Pro Day at The University of Maine is over. Scouts got a chance to take a look at Maine's top football prospects. Working out for NFL, AF2 and other scouts were Jovan Belcher, Chris Arnao, Andrew Downey, Ryan Canary, Jhamal Fluellen, Lionel Nixon, Lamir Whetstone and punter Kash Kiefer.

Here is some audio and video from Pro Day!

Linebacker Andrew Downey

Coach Jack Cosgrove on Maine's Pro Day

Jovan Belcher on his performance.

Maine Offensive Lineman Christopher Arnao

Jhamal Fluellen on his Pro Day performance.

Maine Linebacker Andrew Downey.

Punter Kash Keifer on his future and Pro Day.

It's Official Maine Black Black Bears Football to play Syracuse

ORONO, Maine - University of Maine athletic director Blake James announced on Monday the school and Syracuse have signed a contract to face each other on the gridiron during the upcoming season. The game will be played on Sept. 26, 2009, in the
Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. The Carrier Dome is one of the most exciting venues in all of college sports as it is home to Syracuse's football and basketball programs.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the Maine football program," James said. "Syracuse is a program rich in tradition. Coach Jack Cosgrove and his staff have done an excellent job in the past getting the Black Bears ready to face Division I
Football Bowl Subdivision schools, and I feel strongly they will do the same in getting ready for this game. I hope that all of Black Bear Nation shares in the athletic department's excitement."

Maine's showdown against the Orange in 2009 will mark the sixth-straight season the Black Bears will be facing a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent. The Black Bears are 1-6 all-time against FBS schools (formerly I-A), including a
9-7 win over SEC-foe Mississippi State in 2004. Syracuse marks the third Big East opponent Maine will face in its history, as the Black Bears also took on Rutgers during the 1991 season and Connecticut in 2007.

The seven previous FBS schools Maine has faced, include: Hawai'i (1990), Rutgers (1991), Mississippi State (2004), Nebraska (2005), Boston College (2006), Connecticut (2007) and Iowa (2008). The last four FBS opponents Maine has faced went on to
compete in a post-season bowl game following the regular season. Three of those teams (Nebraska, Boston College and Iowa) went on to win their respective bowl games that season.

Maine is coming off a thrilling 2008 season which saw the Black Bears qualify for the NCAA FCS playoffs. Maine finished the season ranked 16th in the final FCS Coaches Top 25 Poll, and 18th in the final Sports Network poll.

For more information on Maine football, please visit the team's page at www.GoBlackBears.com(.)

More Accolades for Black Bears Jovan Belcher

The honors continued to roll in for University of Maine senior defensive end Jovan Belcher (West Babylon, N.Y.), as he was named a 2008 ECAC Division I Football Championship Subdivision All-Star on Friday. It marked the second-straight season he was named an All-Star by the ECAC.

Belcher, who was named the 2008 CAA Football Defensive Player of the Year, ranked second in the league in tackles for loss with 17.5 this season. Belcher also recorded 7.5 sacks this season, which ranked fourth in the CAA. He made at least one stop for loss in 10-of-13 games, including the final five of the season. Belcher recorded multiple tackles for loss in seven games, including the final three in which he totaled a combined 7.0 stops for minus-30 yards. He ranked 26th nationally in tackles for loss and 47th in sacks. Belcher finished his career with 44.0 tackles for loss, which places him among the top 25 all-time in NCAA FCS history for career tackles for loss.

Belcher led all CAA defensive linemen this season with 98 tackles. The total was 26 more than the nearest competitor. He recorded at least seven tackles in eight games, including three double-digit performances. He made a career-high 16 stops in Maine's thrilling 41-40 double-overtime victory over Hofstra on Oct. 18.

Belcher's finest performance of the 2008 season came in Maine's exciting 27-10 win at No. 20 Delaware on Oct. 11. He recorded seven tackles, two sacks (-15 yards) and two forced fumbles in Maine's first win over a ranked opponent in more than two years. His initial forced fumble came early in the fourth quarter in Delaware territory with the game tied at 10-10. The offense turned the fumble into points two plays later as quarterback Michael Brusko scored on a five-yard run to put Maine on top at 17-10. With Maine holding a 20-10 lead late in the quarter, and Delaware trying to mount a comeback, Belcher turned in another outstanding play as he crashed through the offensive line and sacked Blue Hen quarterback Robby Schoenhoft, causing a fumble. Jordan Stevens scooped up the loose ball and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to seal the win for the Black Bears. For his performance, Belcher was named both the CAA Defensive Player of the Week, and The Sports Network National Defensive Player of the Week.

Belcher's ECAC honor is the latest in a long line of honors he earned this season, including: a five-time First-Team All-American, making him the lone player in the CAA to be a consensus First-Team All-American this season; second-place in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding defensive player at the FCS level (highest finish ever for a Black Bear in a national player-of-the-year award vote); 2008 All-CAA First-Team; 2008 New England Football Writers All-Star; 2008 CAA Football Preseason Defensive Player of the Year; 2008 Sporting News Preseason All-American; 2008 Sports Network First-Team Preseason All-American; was named the top defensive player in the CAA in the 2008 preseason according to the Sporting News; 2008 Phil Steele Preseason First-Team All-American; 2008 Lindy's Preseason Second-Team All-American; 2008 Preseason All-CAA selection; and a 2008 Phil Steele Preseason First-Team All-CAA selection.

Belcher, a senior co-captain, helped guide Maine to an 8-5 record this season and a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs, marking the program's fifth trip to the national tournament. The Black Bears used a six-game winning streak near the end of the season to finish second in the CAA North Division after they were tabbed to finish fourth in the league's preseason poll. Maine finished 18th nationally in the final Sports Network Top 25 Poll.

Courtesy University of Maine

More Honors for Black Bear Football

Four University of Maine football players, senior defensive end Jovan Belcher (West Babylon, N.Y.), redshirt freshman fullback Jared Turcotte (Lewiston, Maine), senior tailback Jhamal Fluellen (Lockport, N.Y.) and senior offensive
lineman Ryan Canary (Point Pleasant, N.J), recently earned All-America honors from multiple news agencies.

Belcher earned First-Team All-America honors from College Sporting News this week, which was his fifth first-team honor this season. Belcher became CAA Football’s lone consensus First-Team All-American this season by earning first-team honors from
the American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, Associated Press, The Sports Network and CSN. Turcotte earned a pair of All-America honors this week, including being named to the second-team by The Sports Network and earning
honorable-mention status from College Sporting News. Turcotte was one of just two freshmen in the league this season to earn All-America recognition. The Sports Network named Fluellen and Canary Honorable-Mention All-Americans; marking the first
time in their careers they earned All-America status.

Belcher’s recognition as the CAA’s lone consensus First-Team All-American came after he finished among the national and league leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. He led all CAA defensive linemen in tackles with 98, which was a career-high for
him. Belcher garnered several post-season awards in 2008, including CAA Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-CAA selection, and finishing second in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award which annually is awarded to the nation’s most
outstanding defensive player at the FCS level.

Turcotte, a 2008 All-CAA First-Team honoree, earned All-America honors after leading the team in rushing yards (602) and rushing touchdowns (7). He ranked ninth in the league in rushing in conference games-only, and second among rookies in that
category. Turcotte was named the conference rookie of the week on two occasions, while also topping 100 yards in rushing in pair of games this season.

Fluellen earned honorable-mention All-America status after he ranked among the league leaders in rushing despite missing nearly half the season with an injury. Fluellen, a senior co-captain, topped 100 yards rushing in the first three games this
season and earned Third-Team All-CAA honors for his efforts.

Canary, a three-year starter at center on the offensive line, earned honorable-mention honors after he anchored a line, which helped Maine finish third in the CAA in rushing. It marked the third-straight season the Black Bears finished among the top
four teams in the conference in rushing.

The recent honors for Turcotte, Fluellen and Canary give Maine 35 All-Americans in program history. It’s the first time since the 2004 season multiple Black Bears were named All-Americans in the same year. Since 2001, 11 Black Bears have been named
an All-American, including two who received the honor in multiple seasons (Stephen Cooper 2001-02 and Belcher 2007-08).

Belcher, Turcotte, Fluellen and Canary were vital in helping lead the Black Bears to an amazing season in 2008. Maine finished the season with an 8-5 record, a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs and a No. 18 ranking in the final Sports Network National
FCS Top 25 Poll.


Courtesy University of Maine

Jovan Belcher 1st team All American Again!

JOVAN BELCHER NAMED SPORTS NETWORK FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN

ORONO, Maine - The honors continued to roll in for University of Maine senior defensive end Jovan Belcher (West Babylon, N.Y.), as he was named a First-Team All-American by The Sports Network on Tuesday. The honor made Belcher a consensus First-Team
All-American this season, as he earned first-team honors from the AFCA, Walter Camp Foundation, Associated Press and Sports Network. Belcher becomes the second Black Bear in the last three years to earn first-team honors from the four news agencies
and organizations, joining Matt King, who earned the four honors in 2006.

It marked the second-straight season Belcher earned All-America honors, as he was named a Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press and a Third-Team All-American by The Sports Network last year. He is just the fourth Black Bear in program
history to earn All-America honors in multiple seasons, joining John Huard (1965-66), Aaron Dashiell (1998-99) and Cooper (2001-02).

This recent All-America honor from The Sports Network marks the second time in the last four weeks Belcher has received major recognition from the news agency. Last month, Belcher finished second in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is
presented annually to the nation's most outstanding defensive player at the Division I FCS level. The award and its voting is conducted by The Sports Network.

Belcher, who was named the 2008 CAA Football Defensive Player of the Year, ranked second in the league in tackles for loss with 17.5 this season. Belcher also recorded 7.5 sacks this season, which ranked fourth in the CAA. He made at least one stop
for loss in 10-of-13 games, including the final five of the season. Belcher recorded multiple tackles for loss in seven games, including the final three in which he totaled a combined 7.0 stops for minus-30 yards. He ranked 26th nationally in
tackles for loss and 47th in sacks. Belcher finished his career with 44.0 tackles for loss, which places him among the top 25 all-time in NCAA FCS history for career tackles for loss.

Belcher led all CAA defensive linemen this season with 98 tackles. The total was 26 more than the nearest competitor. He recorded at least seven tackles in eight games, including three double-digit performances. He made a career-high 16 stops in
Maine's thrilling 41-40 double-overtime victory over Hofstra on Oct. 18.

Belcher's finest performance of the 2008 season came in Maine's exciting 27-10 win at No. 20 Delaware on Oct. 11. He recorded seven tackles, two sacks (-15 yards) and two forced fumbles in Maine's first win over a ranked opponent in more than two
years. His initial forced fumble came early in the fourth quarter in Delaware territory with the game tied at 10-10. The offense turned the fumble into points two plays later as quarterback Michael Brusko scored on a five-yard run to put Maine on
top at 17-10. With Maine holding a 20-10 lead late in the quarter, and Delaware trying to mount a comeback, Belcher turned in another outstanding play as he crashed through the offensive line and sacked Blue Hen quarterback Robby Schoenhoft, causing
a fumble. Jordan Stevens scooped up the loose ball and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to seal the win for the Black Bears. For his performance, Belcher was named both the CAA Defensive Player of the Week, and The Sports Network National
Defensive Player of the Week.

Belcher's All-America honors, second-place finish for the Buchanan, and the CAA's Defensive Player-of-the-Year award were the latest in a long line of honors he earned this season. In addition to all the honors listed above, Belcher also earned:
2008 All-CAA First-Team; 2008 New England Football Writers All-Star; 2008 CAA Football Preseason Defensive Player of the Year; 2008 Sporting News Preseason All-American; 2008 Sports Network First-Team Preseason All-American; was named the top
defensive player in the CAA in the 2008 preseason according to the Sporting News; 2008 Phil Steele Preseason First-Team All-American; 2008 Lindy's Preseason Second-Team All-American; 2008 Preseason All-CAA selection; and a 2008 Phil Steele Preseason
First-Team All-CAA selection.

Belcher, a senior co-captain, helped guide Maine to an 8-5 record this season and a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs, marking the program's fifth trip to the national tournament. The Black Bears used a six-game winning streak near the end of the
season to finish second in the CAA North Division after they were tabbed to finish fourth in the league's preseason poll. Maine finished 18th nationally in the final Sports Network Top 25 Poll.

Courtesy University of Maine

Upon Further Review....

Bill Belichick MIGHT be proud of UNI!!!

Chris Sedenka LIVE from the UNI Dome

CONTROVERSY AT THE UNI DOME?!?



Is that someone peeking through the blinds at Maine's walk through?!?

Here are Chris Sedenka's first pictures from the UNI Dome. Just click the thumbnails

UNI Head Coach Mark Farley Maine Press Conference