Sports

Smith, Williams bolster UMaine offense

Football looks to stay unbeaten against Albany

Posted on Sept. 17, 2009, at 1:24 a.m.

Everyone knew coming into the 2009 college football season the University of Maine football team had a staple of running backs. After all, the third-ranked rushing attack in the conference last year returned four capable starting backs.

The Black Bears have equal amounts of quality depth at the quarterback position, evident by the breakout performance of sophomore Warren Smith this past Saturday in a 17-7 win at Northeastern University.

Smith, along with senior starter Mike Brusko, leads an undefeated and 20th-ranked UMaine squad into a nonconference game this Saturday at 4 p.m. when they travel to the University at Albany.

Smith, a transfer from the disbanded Iona College program, threw for 145 yards and a touchdown on Saturday, rotating in with the starter Brusko, who owns an 8-2 record as the starter since taking over midway through last season.

“We’re not changing our offense,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “Everyone thinks Michael’s a runner and Warren’s a passer. Michael can pass, Warren can run. [The rotation] gives us some diversity there and some potential challenges for defenses down the road.”

UMaine (2-0, 1-0 Colonial Athletic Association) relies primarily on a rush-heavy, ball-control offense – ranking third in the CAA in time of possession last season. Near the end of last season and the beginning of this season, though, opponents have focused primarily on the run by employing eight and nine-man fronts, slowing down the Black Bear offense.

Brusko’s leadership and game management abilities complement Smith’s passing abilities well, and teammates believe rotating shouldn’t disrupt the rhythm of the offense.

“Both quarterbacks take reps with us in practice, and we’re pretty comfortable with them at any time,” said sophomore tailback Derek Session. “We can run or pass with both.”

The return of senior wide receiver Landis Williams made it easier for the quarterbacks, especially Smith, to acclimate themselves amidst soggy conditions over the weekend. Smith found the speedy wide out for a 47-yard touchdown strike in the third quarter to open up a 10-point lead. Williams, out with a hand injury since the beginning of preseason camp, also had an electrifying punt return for a touchdown that was called back because of a penalty.

“Since he’s been here, he’s been a big play threat,” Cosgrove said. “He’s got a burst and an extra gear. I thought by far he was the fastest player on the field on Saturday.”

Defense digs in

After giving up 27 points to a Division II squad in the season opener, the UMaine defense was back to being its old self Saturday. After allowing a first quarter touchdown, the Black Bears didn’t allow a score the rest of the game.

The youthful defense, which has 14 starters or backups that are sophomores or younger, forced two interceptions and picked up four quarterback sacks.

“We’re only going to be as good as our sophomores allow us to be this year,” Cosgrove said. “We have seniors that are proven and can play and have done it, but a football team is 22 and all the special team guys. We took 26 new first-time travelers on that trip.”

Sophomore safety Trevor Coston picked off both passes while redshirt freshman end Kris Enslen had a pair of sacks.

“At the beginning of the game, they made plays that cost us dearly,” Cosgrove said. “But they persevered and took the coaching. Trevor made two interceptions and they couldn’t block Enslen at the end of the game.”

“It’s faster for them at first, and the game hasn’t slowed down,” said senior defensive back Troy Harris. “By the second week, it’s slowed down enough where they started feeling comfortable and made plays.”

Senior end Jordan Stevens picked up the other two sacks.

Albany provides big test

Despite their lopsided 44-7 defeat at the University of Massachusetts last weekend, the University at Albany (0-2) will be a big challenge for the Black Bears.

Led by coach Bob Ford, in his 34th season as the Great Danes head coach, Albany has picked up recent wins against CAA foes — winning at the University of Delaware in 2006 and at Hofstra University last season.

“Albany is a very strong team with a great tradition in the Northeast Conference,” Cosgrove said. “They have been either the champion or runner-up for years and years.”

Williams returns, Turcotte still on shelf

The Black Bears welcomed the return of Landis Williams (hand) this past weekend but are still waiting the return of sophomore All-American fullback Jared Turcotte. Turcotte was held out of his second straight game due to a groin injury sustained during preseason camp. Turcotte practiced with the team last week and participated in pregame activities but was held out due to slick field conditions.

The skinny

Albany presents a good test before the Black Bears trek back to New York to face Syracuse University the following weekend. Despite playing in the weaker Northeast Conference, the Great Danes are consistently near the top and challenge themselves out of conference by playing several CAA teams. If Turcotte comes back, however, UMaine is nearly healthy and could just start to click offensively. Defensively, the Black Bears were much better against Northeastern, allowing only seven points. With both sides of the ball improving each week and special teams play getting a boost from electric return man Landis Williams, Albany will have their hands full. They are playing at home though, so that could keep the game close.

Prediction: UMaine 24, Albany 14

Campus Currents: Football