UM picked to finish 8th in 9-team YanCon

BOSTON – When you go 3-8, graduate two all-conference defensive backs and one all-conference offensive lineman, you have to earn respect. Nobody’s going to hand it to you, least off all the media.

That’s the attitude second-year University of Maine football coach Kirk Ferentz adopted Monday after the media selected his Black Bears to finish eighth this season in the nine-team Yankee Conference during the league’s annual preseason press day at Boston University.

“I’m not surprised,” said Ferentz, after Maine was picked to finish behind heavy preseason favorite New Hampshire, defending champion UMass, Delaware, Connecticut, Villanova, Boston University and Rhode Island. Only Richmond was picked behind Maine. “Just look at the numbers and it’s about where we belong. Fortunately, last year everyone was wrong. Hopefully, that trend continues through this season.”

Ferentz said the Bears, who return 16 position starters and All-ECAC placekicker Jeff Mottola, can’t dwell on last season but should use the experience to their advantage.

“Any time you feel disappointed or embarrassed about something you’ve done, it gives you a psychological advantage. This gives us an advantage. We’re more optimistic from that standpoint,” said the Maine coach, whose inaugural team started 0-5 then finished 3-3.

The poll reflected the fact Maine will open its training camp next week facing many question marks, including replacing graduated All-YC defensive backs Claude Pettaway and Jamal Williamson, as well as All-YC offensive guard Rob Noble. There is also a continued controversy at quarterback, where sophomore Bob Zurinskas and senior Jeff DelRosso are expected to duel for the starting job.

“We don’t want to dwell on what happened last season,” said Ferentz, whose team will feature senior tailbacks Carl Smith and Paul Capriotti. “We want to improve and work on our weaknesses.”

Maine begins practice Aug. 17 and opens the season Sept. 7 at home against Villanova.

New Hampshire coach Bill Bowes, whose team returns 20 starters from a 7-3-1 squad a year ago, downplayed the media poll, which saw 21 of 28 representatives pick his Wildcats to win the title.

“It doesn’t amount to a hill of beans,” said the 20-year veteran UNH boss. “In some ways it’s good to see we’re respected. Last year we were picked to finish sixth.

“How everyone doesn’t pick UMass based on what they did last year is unbelievable,” continued Bowes.

Maine graduate Jim Reid, the UMass head coach, didn’t disagree with the pollsters, who said the 15 starters returning from last year’s 8-2-1 title squad weren’t enough to make the Minutemen the favorite.

“We have so many question marks,” said Reid, noting the quarterback position remains unsettled after Gary Wilkos was lost with a broken neck midway through last season. Wilkos will not return.

Delaware’s 18 returning starters from a 6-5 squad in ’90 earned the Bluehens the third spot in the poll.

Connecticut, picked fourth, has 16 starters back from a 6-5 club, but must replace All-YC quarterback Matt DeGennaro.

Villanova (6-5 in ’90) returns 16 starters, but has a quarterback controversy.

Boston University (5-6) returns 15 starters but must replace run-and-shoot QB Stan Greene.

Rhode Island has 18 starters back from a 5-6 club and is expected to improve.

Richmond, 1-10 a year ago (its lone victory over Maine), has 17 starters back and still gets no respect, picked to finish last behind Maine.

“I don’t know how much I’ll play on it,” said Maine’s Ferentz, referring to the poll. “No question the players will use it to their advantage.”