Sports

Session, Smith power Bears by Huskies

Football picks up first conference win

Posted on Sept. 14, 2009, at 1:28 a.m.

In their march to the FCS playoffs last season, the University of Maine football team relied on a ball-control offense, spearheaded by a rushing attack that ranked third in the conference.

One thing the Black Bears did not rely on was the passing attack, one that averaged just under 140 yards per game.

On Saturday afternoon, UMaine had both the run and pass clicking.

Derek Session ran for 114 yards and a touchdown, and backup quarterback Warren Smith threw a 47-yard touchdown pass as the Black Bears shut down Northeastern University 17-7 at Parsons Field.

The Black Bears move to 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association, while the Huskies fell to 0-2 and 0-1 in conference play.

After holding out All-American fullback Jared Turcotte for the second straight week due to a groin injury, Session once again carried the load, rushing the ball 20 times and passing the 100-yard mark for the second straight week.

In the first quarter, UMaine took the early lead on a 37-yard field goal by Jordan Waxman. Greg Abelli responded with a 33-yard touchdown run at the end of the quarter to give Northeastern their only lead of the game at 7-3.

Sophomore safety Trevor Coston gave UMaine great field position in the second quarter when he picked off a pass in Northeastern territory, one of his two interceptions of the day. The interception led to a drive capped off by Session’s touchdown run from one yard out.

To end the first half, the Black Bears brought Smith in as quarterback to give the offense more of an aerial attack. Smith, the starting quarterback last season for the disbanded Iona College team, completed all eight of his throws on the drive, but Waxman’s 40-yard field goal attempt to end the half was blocked.

In the third quarter, Smith found senior wide receiver Landis Williams for a 47-yard score to open up the lead to 17-7. Williams returned for the first time since suffering a hand injury early in preseason camp.

Smith and Brusko rotated at the position for the remainder of the second half. Brusko, who brings more of rushing element behind center, will remain the starter of the Black Bears despite Smith’s success.

Smith finished 10 of 13 passes for 145 yards, while Brusko completed five of seven to go along with 39 yards rushing.

Coston led the Black Bears defense with his two interceptions. Jordan Stevens and Kris Enslen recorded two sacks each.

UMaine takes a break from CAA play the next two weekends, starting off with a road game next Saturday at the University of Albany. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Great Danes (0-2) are coming off a 44-7 loss to the University of Massachusetts.