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Forcing four turnovers and jumping out to a 16-0 lead is just about the perfect start for any football team. Last Saturday the University of Maine was in that situation after the first half, thoroughly dominating a University of Albany squad that had already lost their first two games of the 2009 season.
With a youthful squad and a team that has yet to find its identity, the second half couldn’t have gone any worse for the Black Bears as they surrendered 20 unanswered points and were held scoreless, falling 20-16 to the Great Danes.
With their first loss of the season, UMaine dropped out of the top 25 and the schedule only gets tougher.
After enduring the heartbreaking loss to Albany, the Black Bears hit the road for the state of New York again as they travel to Syracuse University for a date with the Big East squad that is coming off a thrilling 37-34 win over Northwestern. Kickoff is schedule for 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome.
Despite the schedule certainly not getting any easier for UMaine (2-1), they do have a win in their history over a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team. In 2004, the Black Bears stunned a Mississippi State squad on the road in a 9-7 win. Mississippi State and Syracuse are two struggling major universities, vulnerable to lower-division teams such as UMaine.
For the Black Bears to be successful on Saturday night, they must cut down on mistakes that have mired their 2009 campaign so far.
A late fourth quarter fumble on an errant pitch by senior quarterback Mike Brusko led to the game-winning touchdown run by Albany. That was the fifth lost fumble for the Black Bears this year, one less than the six they lost in the 2008 season.
By simplifying the offense — one that started three redshirt freshmen up front on Saturday — UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove hopes it can result in positive steps.
“We’re probably trying to do right now more than we’re quite capable of doing,” Cosgrove said during Monday’s Colonial Athletic Association conference call.
“We’ve got to cut some things back and focus in on the things that we’re doing well and reduce our playbook a little bit,” he added, “because we’re just not performing the way we’re capable of, especially in pressure situations or close-out game situations.”
With an inexperienced offensive line, UMaine has also suffered from the loss of All-American fullback Jared Turcotte. The multidimensional Turcotte was the team’s top rusher and receiver as a redshirt freshman last season but has yet to play this season and could miss the whole year with a groin injury.
Inconsistent quarterback play from Brusko and sophomore Warren Smith hampered the offense Saturday, one that could not seem to get into a rhythm in the second half. The Black Bears gained only 83 yards in the second half and were held scoreless.
The defense performed admirably despite missing star senior linebacker Mark Masterson (ankle). Sophomore safety Jerron McMillian had two of the four interceptions on the afternoon, but they eventually wore down after Albany received great field position all afternoon.
“We put our defense in a terrible situation in the fourth quarter,” Cosgrove said, “and a group that had been playing well throughout the course of the game ended up feeling the brunt of the heat.”
Orange Crush
Despite being the perennial bottom dwellers of the Big East conference, the Orange have certainly grabbed headlines this season. It’s not much because of their outstanding play, but instead due to who their new quarterback is.
Greg Paulus was the most sought-after quarterback when he was a senior at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse. He had the opportunity to play at Notre Dame and the University of Miami, but passed up the opportunity for the hardwood glory at Duke University.
Paulus started as a freshman at point guard for the Blue Devils and was a gritty floor leader for Duke during his four-year stay. After completing his basketball eligibility though, Paulus had a season left of football and decided to go to his hometown Orange where he earned the starting nod.
After two losses to open the season, Paulus shined in Saturday’s win over Northwestern. He had the sixth-best passing game in Syracuse history, accounting for 346 yards through the air. More than half of his yardage went to wide receiver Mike Williams, who hauled in 11 catches for 209 yards on his way to Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Despite the recent struggles of Syracuse, they are a developing team that is still trying to learn under first-year head coach Doug Marrone.
The Skinny
Following a lackluster second half performance and heartbreaking loss to Albany on Saturday, the Black Bears must put that defeat behind them if they are going to have any chance. If UMaine can control the clock with their running game and keep the Syracuse offense off the field, it will go a long way in helping their cause. To succeed, UMaine must win the turnover battle and make big plays on special teams. In the end, Paulus and Williams will probably be too much as there is no cornerback on UMaine that can match up with Williams. There is a reason why FBS teams are favored over their lower-division opponents of the FCS. You never know, because the CAA has four wins over FBS teams so far this season.
Prediction: Syracuse 38, UMaine 17
