University of Maine head coach Jack Cosgrove downplays the fact that he is one win shy of 100 for his career. But he also knows if the Black Bears can get that 100th win this week, it would mean a lot to their playoff hopes and confidence.
Maine opens its Colonial Athletic Association schedule Saturday (3 p.m., WPME) at home against Delaware (3-1), last year’s national FCS runner-up and currently the No. 5 team in the nation, the highest ranking in the CAA.
A win over the Blue Hens would make a statement that would resonate throughout the locker room and the conference.
“We still need to find out about ourselves,” Cosgrove said. “We have played two Northeast Conference teams and then a Big East team, so there’s a scholarship differential in all of that. I feel we’re always kind of looking up to the teams (in the CAA) and that’s just the nature of the business. I think over the years, we’re in awe of some teams that have had great histories and traditions against us, like Delaware. We have had a hard time winning games against the University of Delaware.”
Delaware leads the all-time series, 23-7, and has won the last two meetings, last year by a score of 26-7.
While Delaware and the rest of the CAA was opening its conference slate, Maine (2-1) enjoyed a bye last week after going on the road to defeat Albany, 31-15, on Sep. 17. Cosgrove said the Black Bears needed a chance to rest and repair themselves before starting the grueling eight-game league schedule.
“The bye week was kind of what the doctor ordered in terms of the health part of our team, and also getting a chance after completing our non-league schedule to address some issues in practice that we’ve got to improve upon,” he said.
“When you have an opponent like Delaware out there on the horizon, you get (the players’) attention,” he added.
The Blue Hens are coming off of a 27-17 win in its CAA opener against Old Dominion, which is coached by former Maine quarterback and assistant coach Bobby Wilder. QB Tim Donnelly led the way with 304 yards and two touchdowns passing. But the focal point of the offense is sophomore All-American running back Andrew Pierce, who is widely regarded among the top 10 FCS players in the nation.
Cosgrove heaped praise on the unit in front of Donnelly and Pierce.
“We think Delaware’s offensive line is better than a Big East team we played recently (Pittsburgh),” he said. “It all starts with them, and then you have a guy named Pierce in the backfield who has a tremendous reputation and ability.”
Maine quarterback Warren Smith is beginning to develop a reputation as an efficient passer. The senior has completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 671 yards and five touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception.
The passing game has featured tight ends Derek Buttles and Justin Perillo in the last two games. Cosgrove said he hopes Buttles, who left the Albany game with an injury, can return Saturday.
Cosgrove also hopes overuse doesn’t lead to injury problems and fatigue for Smith and running back Pushaun Brown. The senior duo has combined for 95 of Maine’s 122 carries.
“There’s no doubt that we need to distribute the ball more readily. We didn’t do that as well as we would like to,” Cosgrove said.
That could mean more work for Terrel Walker and David Hood, the coach said.
Injuries are also a concern on the defensive side, particularly up front. With Ryan Nani sidelined by an elbow injury against Pittsburgh, Raibonne Charles and Kevin Phanor have been forced to spend more time on the field at defensive tackle. Preseason injuries to ends Kris Enslen and Spencer Wood thinned the defensive line more.
Despite the banged-up front, the Black Bears rank fifth in the conference in total defense.
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