Sports

Several Black Bears honored

Cosgrove, Belcher up for national awards

By Adam Clark

Posted on Nov. 24, 2008, at 12:00 a.m.

A successful regular season has resulted in several accolades for Jack Cosgrove and his University of Maine football team.

Cosgrove guided the Black Bears to an 8-4 record and second place finish in the CAA North Division. UMaine was picked to finish fourth in the division, but after a 2-3 start, they reeled off six straight wins before dropping their season finale. Cosgrove, who is in his 16th year as UMaine’s head coach, was named earlier this week as one of the 20 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach-of-the-Year award. It is presented annually by The Sports Network to the top head coach at the Football Championship Series (FCS) level.

Senior defensive end and co-captain Jovan Belcher (West Babylon, N.Y.) was one of seven Black Bear players named to one of the 2008 All-CAA Football Teams. A first-team selection for the second straight year, Belcher was named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year as well. He was tabbed earlier this year as the league’s preseason defensive player of the year. Also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player, Belcher led the Black Bears and conference in several categories. He ranked first in the CAA in tackles for loss (15.5) and second in sacks (7.5).

Redshirt freshman fullback/H-back Jared Turcotte (Lewiston, Maine) was one of only two freshmen who garnered first-time honors. He led UMaine’s potent rushing attack with 602 yards and seven touchdowns.

Senior center Ryan Canary (Point Pleasant, N.J.) and linebacker Andrew Downey (Kingston, N.Y.) were named to the All-CAA Second-Team.

Senior tailback Jhamal Fluellen (Lockport, N.Y.), tackle Chris Arnao (Newtown, Pa.) and cornerback Lionel Nixon Jr. (New Haven, Conn.) were all on the All-CAA Third-Team.