Black Bears’ big win sets up next challenge> UMaine will attempt to establish winning pattern

There’s a huge advantage to being 2-1 three games into the season as opposed to 1-2.

Important intangibles such as confidence become palpable. That confidence, although guarded, can be seen in the faces and heard in the voices of University of Maine football players and coach Jack Cosgrove.

For the first time since 1993, the Black Bears find themselves on the plus side of .500. Maine accomplished the feat with a surprisingly lopsided 45-8 victory over Boston University Saturday in Orono.

Maine’s recent history of letting winable games slip away in the closing minutes didn’t come into play against the Terriers, who were overmatched. Still, Cosgrove was soft-spoken and unemotional in evaluating the victory.

“It’s a big win. Obviously, it was important for us as a football team,” Cosgrove said. “We felt that two things stood out: We needed to win in the conference, and we needed to make a statement against a team like BU that had given us problems in the past.”

Having cleared one mental hurdle, the Bears must now try to establish a pattern of winning. Next up is Rhode Island, in Orono.

Maine’s ability to run the ball effectively against Boston University was a facet the offense had lacked. The line, which combines a pair of four-year starting tackles and three inside players with limited varsity game experience, began to show some cohesiveness.

“We’re starting to gel with the three new guys in the middle,” said Maine senior tackle Dave Rilatt, who admitted the linemen had been concerned about their performance.

“We want our running backs to get 100 yards each game, so that was a concern,” he said. “But our coaching staff stressed to us that we had to be patient and things will fall into place. We got it established this past game.”

Senior tailbacks Bob Jameson and Andre Pam each rushed for more than 100 yards in the win over the Terriers, continuing their ascent on the school’s all-time rushing list.

Jameson, who has netted 313 yards in three games this season, has moved into sixth place with 2,002 career yards. He needs only 121 yards to surpass current Bears running backs coach Ben Sirmans (1988-92) for fifth place.

Pam had been slowed by a hip flexor injury during preseason and the first two weeks of the ’96 campaign, but showed signs of returning to his old form against BU. The speedster, who has netted 207 yards in three games, ranks seventh on UMaine’s all-time rushing list with 1,856 yards.

Junior center Luke Porter said offensive line coach Joe Gilbert issued a challenge to the linemen prior to the BU game.

“The coaches kind of put it to us to trust the person next to you. You get it done, then the person next to you will get it done, and everyone will get it done,” Porter said.

The continued development of the offensive line also should take the pressure off the passing attack, which has been solid behind quarterback Mickey Fein. The sophomore ranks sixth among Yankee Conference passers with a 126.1 efficiency rating after completing six of 12 throws for 72 yards Saturday in the rain.

Junior wideout Rameek Wright added three receptions, including a touchdown, against BU. His 22 catches rank him second in the YC.