Posted on 02 October 2013.
By Andrew Stefanilo
The University of Maine Black Bears are 4-1 on the gridiron this season and are coming off a big win against last year’s Colonial Athletic Association champion, the Richmond University Spiders.
The Black Bears went on the road and beat Richmond 28-21 after a solid performance by sophomore running back Nigel Jones and a defense that forced three interceptions.
“Nigel was everything we could have wanted him to be and more,” head coach Jack Cosgrove said. “He was physical and tough. The cut he made on one touchdown was just a phenomenal cut.”
The win makes UMaine 1-0 in conference play and puts them back in the top 25 at No. 23.
“It was a great win for us,” Cosgrove said. “It was our first conference game and win on the road against a defending champion.”
The Black Bears rushed for 122 yards, 115 of them coming from Jones. Senior quarterback Marcus Wasilewski completed 26 of his 34 passing attempts for 293 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
“It took a lot of effort from a lot of guys,” Cosgrove said. “It was very hard-hitting football game and went back and forth.”
The Black Bears will be in the friendly confines of Alfond Stadium for just the second time this season when they face 4-1 University of Delaware this Saturday. The Fightin’ Blue Hens are ranked 25th in the Football Championship Subdivision, which should make for a very competitive matchup between two ranked teams.
“With us and Delaware it’s always a highly motivating game. We get excited to play a team that is so rich in tradition and success,” Cosgrove said.
Delaware, like UMaine, has only lost to an FBS opponent when the United States Naval Academy beat them 51-7. However, in their four wins, the Blue Hens have beaten their opponents by an average margin of 21 points.
Delaware’s most recent win came against the then-No. 14 ranked James Madison University Dukes 29-22.
The Black Bear defense has been stout through the first five games of 2013, giving up just under 20 points per game.
“We all just seem to play well as a group. In some weeks there’s a guy that stands out more than others but they’re all a factor and they all have a role in each other’s’ success,” Cosgrove said of the defense.
The Black Bears are minus-two in turnover margin so far this season and are going to have to adjust and fix that if they want to get their fifth win of the season.
“You live at a risky level when you turn the football over,” Cosgrove said. “We really have to just do a better job.”
UMaine’s offense is averaging just over 26 points per game and are going to need to continue with the strong rushing effort from last week.
The Black Bears have played very well so far this season and are looking to use the momentum of their last win against the defending conference champions in their showdown against Delaware.
“We have to continue to play with great discipline. We’re getting better at that. The discipline of doing your job and doing it for 60 minutes is something we think is a strength of ours.” Cosgrove said.
The Black Bears will play at home against Delaware this Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m.
By Andrew Stefanilo
The University of Maine Black Bears are 4-1 on the gridiron this season and are coming off a big win against last year’s Colonial Athletic Association champion, the Richmond University Spiders.
The Black Bears went on the road and beat Richmond 28-21 after a solid performance by sophomore running back Nigel Jones and a defense that forced three interceptions.
“Nigel was everything we could have wanted him to be and more,” head coach Jack Cosgrove said. “He was physical and tough. The cut he made on one touchdown was just a phenomenal cut.”
The win makes UMaine 1-0 in conference play and puts them back in the top 25 at No. 23.
“It was a great win for us,” Cosgrove said. “It was our first conference game and win on the road against a defending champion.”
The Black Bears rushed for 122 yards, 115 of them coming from Jones. Senior quarterback Marcus Wasilewski completed 26 of his 34 passing attempts for 293 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
“It took a lot of effort from a lot of guys,” Cosgrove said. “It was very hard-hitting football game and went back and forth.”
The Black Bears will be in the friendly confines of Alfond Stadium for just the second time this season when they face 4-1 University of Delaware this Saturday. The Fightin’ Blue Hens are ranked 25th in the Football Championship Subdivision, which should make for a very competitive matchup between two ranked teams.
“With us and Delaware it’s always a highly motivating game. We get excited to play a team that is so rich in tradition and success,” Cosgrove said.
Delaware, like UMaine, has only lost to an FBS opponent when the United States Naval Academy beat them 51-7. However, in their four wins, the Blue Hens have beaten their opponents by an average margin of 21 points.
Delaware’s most recent win came against the then-No. 14 ranked James Madison University Dukes 29-22.
The Black Bear defense has been stout through the first five games of 2013, giving up just under 20 points per game.
“We all just seem to play well as a group. In some weeks there’s a guy that stands out more than others but they’re all a factor and they all have a role in each other’s’ success,” Cosgrove said of the defense.
The Black Bears are minus-two in turnover margin so far this season and are going to have to adjust and fix that if they want to get their fifth win of the season.
“You live at a risky level when you turn the football over,” Cosgrove said. “We really have to just do a better job.”
UMaine’s offense is averaging just over 26 points per game and are going to need to continue with the strong rushing effort from last week.
The Black Bears have played very well so far this season and are looking to use the momentum of their last win against the defending conference champions in their showdown against Delaware.
“We have to continue to play with great discipline. We’re getting better at that. The discipline of doing your job and doing it for 60 minutes is something we think is a strength of ours.” Cosgrove said.
The Black Bears will play at home against Delaware this Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m.