Bangor quarterback No. 2 in UMaine order

John Tennett arrived at the University of Maine in Orono on Aug. 9 expecting to toil in relative obscurity as a first-year member of the Black Bears football team.

Less than two weeks later, the former Bangor High School three-sport standout finds himself working out as the team’s No. 2 quarterback.

An injury and attrition have thinned out the Bears’ quarterback corps, at least temporarily.

Junior Emilio Colon is the undisputed starter, having directed the UMaine offense for the last two seasons. The 6-foot, 180-pounder out of Lawrence, Mass., has already moved into fourth place on the school’s all-time passing list with 3,148 yards and is less than 1,400 yards from moving into the No. 2 spot.

Joe Marsilio, the backup to Colon, injured his right hand when he banged it on a helmet Thursday during a passing drill. That is his throwing hand. Marsilio, a 6-5, 217-pound junior from Hometown, Pa., is listed by UM Coach Jack Cosgrove as “day to day” after suffering a split right thumb and bruised hand.

Junior Brian Goff, a transfer from Chowan Junior College in North Carolina who had been the surprise offensive standout during spring workouts, did not report for training camp. That, along with the transfer of junior Jason Cue to Wagner College last winter, has paved the way for Tennett’s quick ascension.

“We want to keep him by the veterans. He’s the young guy that we’ve got to bring along for the future,” said Cosgrove of Tennett, a rangy 6-3, 177-pounder. “The injury to Joe created a situation of John having to step in.”

Tennett performed well in Thursday morning’s intrasquad scrimmage, completing six of 12 passes. Cosgrove is impressed with the freshman’s ability.

“I wouldn’t say he’s a surprise, because we thought he had ability,” Cosgrove said. “He’s smart. I think he’s going to be a good quarterback.”

Chris McKean, a sophomore who played his high school ball at Traip Academy in Kittery, is now pencilled in as the No. 3 quarterback behind Tennett.

Opening day, Saturday, Sept. 4, is exactly two weeks away for Maine, so Cosgrove and the Maine coaching staff must begin to decide who is going to play where.

Players who are still battling for positions will have an opportunity to prove themselves during an intrasquad scrimmage at 3 p.m. Saturday. The coaching staff will base its decisions on the combined results of their Saturday and Thursday sessions.

“These first two scrimmages will determine who our players are,” Cosgrove said. “We’ll make some personnel decisions on Sunday based on what we’ve seen.”

Of the University of Maine’s squad of almost 100 members, some 50 or 55 will make the trip to the University of Buffalo in New York for the 7 p.m. non-conference opener Sept. 4.

CAGED BEARS…. While Cosgrove categorizes the injury situation as not too bad, several UMaine players are sidelined with injuries. Sophomore Ray Baur, the projected starter at tailback, is nursing a pulled hamstring and hasn’t practiced since the first day of practice.

Junior wideout Donny Ledbetter has been hobbled by a sore ankle, while fifth-year cornerback Larry Jones is recuperating from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Freshman Jon Gautier of Lewiston, who suffered a knee injury in the Shrine Lobster Bowl last month, underwent arthroscopic surgery Thursday to remove damaged cartilage and should return to practice next week. Jason Agren, a sophomore out of Edward Little High in Auburn, hasn’t practice during training camp because of a knee injury suffered while lifting weights during the summer.

“There are a few (injuries), but it’s nothing we don’t think there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” Cosgrove said. “They’ll all be back with us.”

Jason Jabar, a sophomore from Waterville who had been on the UM depth chart as an outside linebacker during spring drills, has transferred to Colby College in Waterville.

The 6-3, 210-pounder was a standout quarterback for Waterville High School and a 1992 finalist for the James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy, given to the state’s premier Class A football player and sportsman.

Bill Mottola, athletic director at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, reports that construction on that institution’s $1.2 million artificially-surfaced athletic field is progressing.

Maine Tennis Court Inc. of Gray is installing the “E layer,” the rubberized pad that provides a cushion directly beneath the knitted nylon artificial grass. Completion of the state’s first artificial turf field is expected around Sept. 1.

The first game scheduled for the new Ritchie Field will be a men’s varsity soccer contest between MMA and Nyack College from New York on Sept. 18.