ORONO – Larry Jones has dished out some punishing hits during his three seasons on the University of Maine football team.

Last Saturday night, the Black Bears’ senior cornerback was on the receiving end of a wicked hit, but it didn’t come on the field.

Jones was headed from his home in Queens, N.Y., toward Orono late Saturday night when he fell asleep at the wheel on I-95 in Pittsfield. Jones’ Nissan Pathfinder went down an embankment and crashed into a pine tree.

“I had a lot on my mind and I had a headache, so I turned my stereo off,” Jones said. “Usually, I keep it turned up and it keeps me awake.”

The 21-year-old health and fitness major sustained several injuries which are expected to keep him sidelined indefinitely.

Jones suffered puncture wounds to his right knee and a gash on his chin in addition to a bruised sternum and ribs. The knee injury was the most serious, requiring 10 stitches.

Jones, a 6-foot-1, 184-pounder, had fought through injuries to the same knee last year, but he still finished eighth on the team with 48 tackles. He also made three interceptions.

Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove is hoping for a speedy recovery.

“I hope everything plays out well and he gets back with us. We need him back,” Cosgrove said.

Jones, who said he had put in extra time training during the summer, feels fortunate not to have been more seriously hurt. He doesn’t plan to be out of action for long.

“The doctors say I used up my nine lives,” said Jones, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt. “It figures this would happen. This is my last year and I felt like I was in the best shape. The (doctors) said I might miss the first game. I want to prove them wrong, but I can’t rush. I don’t want to hurt it and then get set way the hell back during the season.”

The offensive line was the area in which the University of Maine football team was hit hardest by graduation. Rebuilding a cohesive front line is a priority for Cosgrove and his staff.

Senior John Pourby, at 6-3, 268 pounds, will anchor the offensive line at right tackle where he started last year. Senior John Hevesy (6-5, 275) will settle in at right guard.

Those two veterans know the linemen will have to come together quickly.

“I think this year we’ve got a lot of people who have got to step up on the front line,” Hevesy said. “On the first team, there’s a lot of people who have played, but a lot of the depth is young.”

Pourby said the veterans are expected to set the tone for the other players and stay healthy.

“It puts pressure on us to set an example for the younger guys,” he said. “You’ve got to practice harder, because even though they’re young, they’re going to get a shot.”

Dave Clark, a 6-3, 255-pound senior who started late last season, will see plenty of action. However, with All-Yankee Conference tackle Dan Jones and starters Dick Donahue, Chuck Keegan and Paul Fuller gone, there are some holes to fill.

Portland’s Steve Stinson, a 6-4, 280-pound sophomore, is expected to play left tackle. Sophomore Mike Misbrenner (6-3, 255) and redshirt freshman Dave Rilatt (6-6, 255) will see time at left guard.

Freshman Ryan Ray (6-6, 280), sophomore Hugo Alvarez (6-1, 240) and freshman Tom Bingham (6-3, 250) also are trying to work their way into the lineup.

“We recruited a pretty darned good bunch of freshmen last year,” Cosgrove said. “Now it’s their second year and what they’re lacking is experience. If we can bring them along and run them with our veteran guys, we should be all right.”